Heading North on NER No. 86

[mrlynn]

Actually, just coming in to New London, we are heading roughly due east. I'm on the right side of the train, and can see the late afternoon sun out my winnow. The sun I guess is more south than west this time of year.

Very pleasant trip so far, from Union Station in Washington, DC, heading to the Route 128 Station near Boston, where Number Two Son Nathan will pick us up. So few people on the train that they moved us up from the last car and closed it. Quite different going down to DC on Sunday. They had the last two cars closed until Penn Station in NYC. The train was sold out, but apparently the new crew didn't realize the cars were closed and sent everyone toward the front. They had people standing in the aisles until they realized there were plenty of seats in the back.

Amtrak using the new Siemans electric locomotives now; quiet, cabs are full of color screens—way cool.

Went down to see my 100-year-old mother (101 next month, and were joined by daughter with her three boys; the weather was mild, so we had a good time outdoors Monday and Wednesday.

If you travel between NYC and Boston on Amtrak, sit on the coast side; the views are lovely.

/Mr Lynn

PS Amtrak Connect wireless seems pretty good right now. Was close to useless on the trip down—maybe too many people on the train using it?

[DP]

Last time I was on a train was on VIA Rail from Windsor to Toronto and back. Not even in America. But they are upgrading the line from Detroit to Chicago and we talk about going on the train next trip to Chicago. I may have to pack heat when we go:

Police say a man accused of stabbing an Amtrak conductor and three train passengers in southwestern Michigan has been charged with four counts of attempted murder.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/lo.../19984391/

Sorry-not trying to hijack the thread...

[Speedy]

Last time I took a train was in the '50's. 300 mile milk run in the middle of winter and the car was so warm it was horrible.

[mrlynn]

"There isn't a train I wouldn't take, no matter where it's going." —Edna St. Vincent Milllay

/Mr Lynn

[Pops]

Via Rail from Jasper to Vancouver last year was like a 4 star hotel. Comfortable berths, and amazing dinner. It was terrible to decide... the twin lamb chops finally lost out to elk tenderloin with saskatoon sauce.

[mrlynn]

Pops wrote:
Via Rail from Jasper to Vancouver last year was like a 4 star hotel. Comfortable berths, and amazing dinner. It was terrible to decide... the twin lamb chops finally lost out to elk tenderloin with saskatoon sauce.

We took the Via Rail Canadian from Toronto to Jasper, and then after a three-night stop, from Jasper to Vancouver, back in 2008. Via uses stainless-steel '50s equipment (including dome cars, where we spent much time), and it is indeed an elegant trip. There were a lot of delays staying out of the way of freights on CN, but we weren't in any hurry. A half-day delay leaving Toronto for equipment cleaning gave us the opportunity to take a harbor cruise, so that was actually a plus.

We continued on to Vancouver Island by ferry, and thence to Seattle, where we boarded Amtrak's Empire Builder (legacy name from the Great Northern Railroad) and enjoyed excellent service on that train, too, beginning with a wine tasting in the dining car (for sleeper passengers).

I'd like to do both trips again.

/Mr Lynn