I recently went about 200 miles (each way) on Amtrak. My trip took place just a week or so after returning from a vacation that included a long plane ride, so some of my comments sort of compare train travel to air travel.

The pros:
comfortable, roomy seats with a table and a reading light
friendly people, both Amtrak folks and other passengers
reasonable price
can relax, read, sleep instead of driving
can get up whenever you want to go to the restroom
food and beverages available, including wine and beer
no charge for luggage
choose whatever seat you want
don't have to get to the train station two hours before your departure, like air travel
restrooms are nicer and larger than airplane bathrooms
you can use your cell phone
free movies

The cons:
Amtrak has to "pull over" to let freight trains through, so they're often late. very very late on some routes.
not as cheap as driving
takes longer than driving, due to stops and freight trains
you need transportation from the train station at your destination (friend, taxi, rent a car)
Amtrak doesn't go to a lot of cities.
Schedules may not be convenient.
Some routes (at least in my area) use buses instead of trains for some legs of the trip. Buses aren't as nice as the train you are paying for.

A lot depends on where you are traveling. Last October my husband had a conference in Boston and we decided to go on the Metroliner out of Philadelphia rather than fly. My husband doesn't mind flying he just hates being cramped. Flight time to Boston is fairly short but by the time you include traveling to the airport, getting there 90 minutes before flight time, going through security, waiting at the gate, boarding the plane, and then after it lands- waiting to deplane, waiting for luggage etc.....

We thought the train might be a nice change of pace. We really enjoyed it. We had plenty of room, we could get up and walk around or walk to the club car, the staff were attentive and friendly, we had 2 nice meals, no waiting for suitcases since they were in the overhead which can hold a full size bag. And we were even able to enjoy the scenery as we traveled to Boston. We'll probably repeat our trip next October when we go back

I enjoy Amtrak - but East coast Amtrak is a lot different than Midwest Amtrak.

Like Uxorial said - you are at the mercy of freight train traffic. I don't know if this is so much the case on the East coast - since train travel is so much more prevalent there.

When I travel Amtrak this winter - it was actually ontime (even early -we had to wait at one stop!)

You can call the 1-800-USA-RAIL number to find your train status. If it is less than an hour late - don't be late to the station. It can make up time. BUT...they can be several hours late too.

If I were going for a long trip - more than a day - I would definately get a sleeper car.

Food on the train was good. It wasn't even too expensive. If you do not have a sleeper car, make sure to get a reservation for a table. You cannot sit and order without a reservation.

There is a snack station underneat the observation car. You can get microwave type foods and beverages there.

Take a blanket and pillow with you, if you don't have a sleeper.

Take your iPod, DVD player, etc, and headphones.

DD#4 and I took a trip to the East a couple of years ago, and had the sleeper, which I would forego next time. It was very crowded, but I'm sure they are not all that way. The coach area would have been better for sleeping, I think! On the return trip, train ran into a deer, new engine was brought, but not correct one, or something, so we waited eight hours in the dark near Schenectady. Missed our connection train, of course, so Amtrack had to put us up in Chicago. It was an experience which I'm glad we had, regardless of the problems.

I'll add my two cents! We love it. We don't like to fly. We took a trip from Ohio to CA in Feb two years ago. It was great. We sometimes traveled parts of it in coach, and some we got the roomettes. In the roomettes, the seats make a bottom bunk and there is a bunk above that folds down. If you are claustrophobic, you don't want the top bunk! It's more expensive than coach, but is nice, meals are included in the price. Coach they are not. roomettes, you share a bathroom and showers are available. In the sleeper, it's bigger, will sleep 3-4 and has a bathroom/shower in room. (toilet and shower all in one!). Again, meals are included in the price. This is the most expensive way.

Yes, Amtrak is at the mercy of the freight dispachers, because Amtrak does not own the rails they travel, only rent. BUT, recently the government has mandated that Amtrak can not be held up like they used to be. So they are much much better at being on time than they used to be. Because of being side lined for freight traffic when we went to CA, we missed our connection in Chicago. UNLIKE the airlines, Amtrak sent us all to a lounge as soon as we got in, and we all got vouchers for a room for the night, plus x amount of cash for taxi and meals each. The airlines sure don't do that! We will do it again, tho not as much now that we bought the motor home.

Yes, you do need to have transportation lined up at the other end. If you don't know anyone that will pick you up, or a taxi, see if a rental company will deliver a car to the station. Some will do that now.

Another tip or two. If you book coach, and decide you want a roomette, if there is room on the train, sometimes the conductor will upgrade your ticket with your cc. But there has to be room for him to do it! DH did this a couple of times when we went to CA.

If you go coach, remember, that is also where you will be sleeping! If you can't sleep sitting up, pay the extra for the roomette. Personally, unless it is a very short trip, I want the roomette.

You do have some luggage restrictions. The website will tell you what they are. Bag size and weight. You are allowed two carry ons each. DH took the suit cases, I had the duffle bag and laptop. Purses are not counted as carry ons. They also have baggage cars, but I don't know how that works. Depending on how long our next train trip is, I will probably only take backpacks for luggage, if possible, that worked great. We had two suitcases, a duffle, a backpack, a tote bag, laptop in the the backpack, and my purse for 10 days. Pants will get worn more than once, underwear, socks and shirts will get changed more often, to reduce weight. Remember, you take it, you carry it, unless you hire a redcap.

Any other questions, let me know, either here or thru my page.

No, we don't work for them! DH is a train nut!

Tami

I booked my Amtrak trip through a travel agency that specialzed in Amtrak trips - my hotel, transfers from train to hotel, etc. were all included in the package. Everything was just exactly how it was supposed to be. That worked really well for me.

I've traveled via Amtrak cross country twice.

Pros: relaxing watching the countryside go by
slept like a baby when I had a roomette....clackity, clack, clackity clack
had fun in the bar car

Cons: abominable food
couldn't sleep at all in coach
always late, so you usually miss connections

A might do a short trip again, but never a long one again.

I love travelling by Amtrak. The longest trip I've ever taken was 8 hours. I love seeing the old buildings and the faded signs of the businesses painted on the bricks.

I usually ride in Business Class for the room, but let me warn you that you will be bombarded by ringing cell phones and loud business conversations, which it is designed for.

The food prices aren't bad, but sometimes you will get tired of what they have to offer. If you have a layover most stations have little restaurants or fast food places.

The seats have electrical outlets which is handy for laptops, iPods, etc. They recline and have foot rests.

Try it, you'll enjoy yourself.

I had a bad experience with Amtrak about 10 years ago. Took a train from New York City to Buffalo for Christmas. Train was very slow, had no heat, no food car, we had to keep our suitcases with us, bathrooms got filthy by the end of our trip, which was supposed to take 9 hours but ended up taking 13. Would not use again. At least I had a seat.

The seats have electrical outlets which is handy for laptops, iPods, etc

Don't plan on that 100%. We had one train that had outlets at every seat.

The train going home had none.

It depends on the train... I think they are starting to get them in every seat, but it isn't a sure bet yet.

Thanks Iowagirl. Didn't realize that.

I have traveled three times on Amtrak. Each time on coach and each time traveling two days and one night. Traveling coach is a little rough but we love it! No, it's not always comfortable and it is hard to sleep in coach but I go knowing I will not sleep well and make up my mind that I will be awake most of the night so I sit back and enjoy the scenery.
I pack enough food in a cooler for most of our meals. We have a cooler on wheels just like luggage. The food on the train is expensive and not so good. I also pack plenty of water.
Your larger luggage you put in a luggage rack on the lower lever as you enter the train. You can keep your smaller things at your seat in a luggage rack above your head. We would leave our cooler on the lower level and just go get our meals out of it as we needed.
Take advantage of the viewing car if you can. Sometimes it's hard to find a seat on it though.
Our first trip was to Colorado on the California Zephyr. Our next trip was to Montana on the Empire Builder (my favorite) and last Summer we went to the Grand Canyon on the Southwest Chief (my least favorite). We didn't have the nicest trip home on it though, the restrooms on our car was out of order all night and the next day and we had to use the restrooms in the next car ahead of us.
On the California Zephyr and Empire Builder we got to choose where we sat but on the Southwest Chief they assigned us seats.
My tips for traveling coach is to carry your toothbrush, deodorant etc. where you can easily get to them and also a change of clothes if you wish to change. I like to keep baby wipes in my purse for trips to the restrooms to "freshen up". I also carried some Clorox wipes in a Ziploc bag to wipe off the toilet seat before I used it. The restrooms can get quite yucky near the end of the trip. The handicap restrooms are larger and I use those if available. Take pillows and small blankets. If I get the chance to on on Amtrak again I will take a sleep mask to block out light at night. Take books or reading material, puzzle books, cards etc to help pass the time. Take your sunglasses.
Well I've rattled on long enough. Now you have me wanting to take another train trip.lol

I grew up riding trains. My dad worked for the rail road. But that was in Germany.

Here, in Oklahoma I rode the train south out of OKC several times, twice as far as Fort Worth.

The other times with the bike club, just about 60 or 100 miles away, to ride our bikes back. Lots of fun. :)

Unfortunately they no longer allow bikes on that train. :(

Then I rode the train from Washington DC to New York City and back, with my daughter. On this trip we had two back packs each. A big one with all our stuff, and a day pack for day trips in the cities. We wore one on the back, and the other on the front. Worked well.

We had our warm shirts (daughter needed hers) and all our stuff at our seats, well, overhead.

I would love to do a LONG trip, but the nearest train station for such an adventure is a day long car drive away.

Enjoy yourself.

Moni

PS, we took sandwiches and drinks on board.

Someone spoke of one being required to find one's way from the train station to one's destination.

The station's often not far from downtown.

The captains of aircraft seldom are willing to have one parachute (your 'chute), directly, to one's destination spot, should they happen to fly directly over it ... and the airports are usually quite a long trip from downtown ... though not as far as usual in Phoenix.

ole joyful ...would I even consider taking you for a ride?

You haven't mentioned how long your trip will be and that can make a difference.

I love Amtrak, have been doing train travel all my life, have crisscrossed the country from LA to NYC and from Chicago to New Orleans, and many points in between. If the trip is less than 12-15 hours I go by coach; if it's overnight, I get a roomette in the sleeper car. If DH goes with me, we really splurge and each take a roomette, across the aisle from each other. He is 6'2" and would be miserable squashed in with fluffy me. He was doubtful about the train until we traveled together from Chicago to Sacramento CA. Now he's a convert.

The food can be fine or very so-so; it depends on the dish. But the days of real tablecloths and china are over; it's all plastic and paper now. Meals are free if you're in a sleeper, but the prices are pretty modest if you're not.

The best things about Amtrak are the people you meet. The crews are usually very friendly and will do their best to make you comfortable. I have met the most interesting people at mealtime, from all over the world, and each with an interesting story. Secondly, it is very relaxing to have a smooth and gently rocking ride through wonderful scenery that is never seen from a plane or car. I always feel that I'm a real part of America when I'm on the train.

The train I take most often now, the Coast Starlight, from central CA to Seattle is always on time, even occasionally early. Very long rides can run late. On the trip from Chicago to CA we hit huge thunderstorms and tornados on the Great Plains and had to be re-routed with several delays. That one was 12 hours late. Amtrak is not for people in a hurry!

If you are open-minded, don't expect perfection, are friendly and flexible, you'll have a great time!