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Amtrak fans like to complain about being the poor children in the rail system. But lately, if you're not oil, you don't rate at all. http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304914904579437680173044774 In fact, the rail system reminds me of an old man who ignored warnings about...

Looking at where prices are in February, I'm pretty certain they are going above $4 in the peak travel season. The Fed along with every major central bank around the world is in full court press against deflation. Deflation=Layoffs. As we've "exported" our way of life, every ruling party now...

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-08-12/revealed-elon-musk-explains-the-hyperloop

Till recently, while reading Fortune Magazine, I didn't know that Berkshire Hathaway had bought Burlington Northern. As a result, the freight traffic that snarls Amtrak in North Dakota is generating money for Buffett's fund. What would threaten that flow of money would be what would delight...

Just updating myself on most recent ontime experience. Came away with a question. Why is there a big difference between trains 7 and 8? Aren't they on the same section of track? If they fight for access, wouldn't there be freight trains going both ways? I'm assuming they both can leave the...

St Paul MN is getting a restored depot, very pretty, with bus, light rail, and Amtrak connecting there. Made me think about the most integrated terminals I've visited. I'd say that Chicago, Toronto, and Everett Washinton seemed designed to make connecting convenient. One thing missing in...

After seeing how frac sand in Wisconsin is leading to repair of rail lines, I started to wonder. Did the administration block the oil pipeline as a devious way of forcing money into railroads? I think i t is apparent that the petroleum industry would much prefer to just have oil travel in...

I think the flaws of railway travel are growing. Just as the number of bad equity investments are growing. Now you can't just "pick the market", you have to be selective when you invest. And when you plan train trips, I think you have to research the least troubled, most fun rides out there...

On my recent trips, I've gone into a toilet, slid the lock, and then had someone turn the knob outside and just open the door on me. Are all these locks broken? Seems like when the ceiling lights are on, people don't know to look for them, either. Too bad the doors can't open in, but with the...

Tried doing a reservation with the automated phone service. This was after the website failed. Both of these referred me to 1-800-USA-RAIL. Trouble with that is that it is as clogged up as some of the rail lines. You'd think at least THIS could be enough in Amtrak's control to be improved...

The Latest TSA Outrage

Just did a price comparison. One pair of points, Megabus does it for $16, Amtrak for $133. Leaves open the question, does Megabus make its schedule? I need to find a forum where people have experience (or maybe someone has already tried it here.)

Just looking at some ontime percentages. I really had a jaw drop when I looked at what Amtrak has posted for Train 8 in May. It says 9.7 percent ontime. For all intents and purposes that is tantamount to never being on schedule. It reminds me of other transportation I use that never gets...

Just did this for fun. Ran pricing for three ways to go to Seattle from Minneapolis and back in late July. Came out this way: Sun Country coach (including insurance and change protection) $599.60 Amtrak $532.95 Alamo Rental with Unlimited Mileage: $832.55 Of course, with Amtrak and...

Just for laughs, I priced a round trip to Seattle with sleeping room vs a flight in flrst class. Amtrak would be $1,441. Sun Country First Class would be $825. Pretty amazing the premium to go Amtrak. Now, I realize one is paying for a lot of meals on Amtrak that aren't included on Sun...

Vacations are supposed to be about stress-reduction. Certainly last fall when I took the Empire Builder to Oregon and back, that was the case. This year I thought I'd try going east instead. Little did I know what was to come. Train due to arrive at 7:05 at MSP, arrived at 11:30. Passengers...

It's another story, but the Empire Builder delivered me here moments after the Lake Shore Limited was off to the East. So I'm spending much more time here than planned. Had a few moments amusement exploreing the place. The Great Hall is kinda overwhelming. There is a good fifty feet of...

June 18 to 24, riding from St Paul MN to Toronto Ontario. All new territory for me. Made the same trip three times on Greyhound. This trip will take more time, but it might seem less when not cramped on a bus. Was a solid 24 hours on the bus. Ready for a long sleep when I get there to make...

No good trains from France to Berlin? That's crazy!

The PBS Show America Revealed had an interesting bit on double humping, the sorting process in the Chicago rail yards that assembles trains to different destinations. Anybody ever watched it. I could imagine standing there, seeing the guy walking along, stopping, flipping a handle, the freight...