A trip on the train has always been an item on my Bucket List.
Have heard my share of "war stories" about train travel: however, recently had a need to travel to Albuquerque, NM and since retirement, the need to get some place as quickly as possible is no longer quite so important.
I've learned to go with the flow as my life's journey plays out.
Kind of like traveling by sail boat, when you get there you get there.
Air travel was out of the question and my days of driving
300-500 miles/day for two or more days are history.
What to do? Almost by accident, found out that Amtrak provided train service between Los Angeles and Albuquerque, NM.
Elected to take an Amtrak package that covered meals, sleeping accommodations, and community showers.
Sounds like some of my sailing cruises, only on land.
Decided to depart from Fullerton, CA rather than Union station located in down town LA.
Since I have a handicap parking tag, I was able to park for a week within 30 ft of the front door for FREE.
Bought tickets on line.
Arrived at Fullerton about 3:00 PM.
Exchanged for hard copy tickets and checked bags in less than
20 minutes and retired to a sidewalk cafe to wait for our train.
The well documented L/A traffic was not a problem.
Boarded the train about 5:00 PM and departed about 5:15 PM.
Had dinner reservations at 7:00 PM.
Food was quite good.
Seating was catch as catch can. You were assigned a seat. The result was some pleasant conversation during dinner with some folks who had been complete strangers an hour earlier. (Another one of life's opportunities)
After dinner, the observation car until dark, then back to the sleeper car where our bunks were waiting.
Could have checked the on board cafe but didn't bother.
The head facilities were adequate and frankly better than some $250K yachts I've seen.
Breakfast was served starting around 6:00 AM the following morning.
After breakfast with some more strangers, it was time to get ready for arrival.
Arrival in Albuquerque, NM was less than an hour late, baggage was reclaimed after close inspection of claim checks.
The return trip was basically the mirror image of the outbound leg.
The news today has been almost continuous about the fires in the Cajon Pass (I-15 between L/A and Vegas).
I was on the train in the Cajon Pass about 2 hours before the fires started which is about a 2,000 foot change in elevation.
Have crossed ac train trip off my bucket list. It was a experience.
Will I take another train trip? If I can find one that I think I would like. then absolutely.
Doubt I will go back to Albuquerque.
Didn't know there could be so many rocks in one place along with a few scrub trees.
Would I suggest a train trip to someone else?
If you are a type "A", probably not.
If not a type "A", you might enjoy it.
Have fun.
Lew