First time on a train, I find myself a bit confused.

[ducatiz]

In Italy they very politely tell you when they are going to strike about a week in advance and still work the three rush hour trains in the morning and evening.  Doesn't make the general population upset and still makes a point because they loose all the ticket money during the rest of the day.  As a commuter I appreciated it.

They do pretty much the same thing in France, only when it gets really bad do they shut down the rush hour trains.  They also publish the strikes on the calendar, a year ahead of time.

[cyrus buelton]

sure, except when those frog bastards schedule a strike.  then the country stops.

well yeah, but doesn't that happen in most Euro socialist countries?


Better then the cab driver's in paris who seem to strike daily

[tommys67]

Unfortunately, I'm on a train at least once a week.  (It used to be twice a day until I moved into NYC).

A few observations from being a frequent Acela traveler, frequent NJ Transit customer, and my first and LAST time using the AutoTrain.

1 - The Acela is AWESOME.  It is fast, it is smooth, it is quiet and the food isn't too bad.  I used to have weekly meetings in DC, and I would catch the 6am Acela from NY Penn Station and be 1/2 a mile from the White House by 9:15.  On the way back I would plug in my laptop and watch a Netflix movie.  99% of riders of the Acela are professionals, and there aren't too many assholes or degerates!

2 - You NEED to have a sense of humor to use NJ Transit.  For the most part it works, but when it doesn't (especially at rush hour) it becomes Hell on Earth.  The new double-decker trains are really quite clean and comfy, and there are a few other cars that are decent as well.  The old Silver Arrow cars (the ones with the ridged aluminum bodies and crappy brown vinyl seats) SUCK.  Really suck.  The benefits are 1) the express routes are really convenient.  2) on non-rush hours, the trains aren't too crowded  3) it's cheap.  The downsides 1) can get super-crowded at times - standing room only  2) Aberrant mass of humanity at odd hours.  3) Frequently NOT on time if it's not the morning rush into NYC.

3 - Auto train... sounded like a good idea at the time.  My ex- and I took our car and my parents took theirs when we went to Florida once.  First of all, they damaged BOTH my car and my parents' car.  The morons torqued the wheel straps down so hard they knocked both cars out of alignment.  Secondly, you need to WANT to meet other people.  If you can't fill a 4 person table for a meal, they WILL seat you with other people who are REALLY, REALLY HAPPY ABOUT BEING ON A TRAIN .  You want privacy on a long distance train ride?  You AIN'T gonna get it!!  I'm naturally an introvert and this was NOT fun.  You love meeting new people?  You'll love a long train ride.

[Kyna]

You want privacy on a long distance train ride?  You AIN'T gonna get it!!  I'm naturally an introvert and this was NOT fun.  You love meeting new people?  You'll love a long train ride.

Okay, but if you have a sleeper, you'd have privacy then right?  Our little cabin has a 2 person capacity so I'm hoping that will take care of the privacy aspect.  Besides on planes I seem to sit next to Ms. McFriendlypants or Mr. Creepyguy who both want chat about my trip or how much they hate flying and are petrified of heights.  a 10 hour plane ride next to Creepy did not make for a fun travel experience either.

Sorry about your cars. 

[tommys67]

Okay, but if you have a sleeper, you'd have privacy then right?  Our little cabin has a 2 person capacity so I'm hoping that will take care of the privacy aspect.  Besides on planes I seem to sit next to Ms. McFriendlypants or Mr. Creepyguy who both want chat about my trip or how much they hate flying and are petrified of heights.  a 10 hour plane ride next to Creepy did not make for a fun travel experience either.

Sorry about your cars. 

The auto train was 8 years ago - those cars are long gone.  Thanks, though!

No, you're right.  In your cabin you're isolated.  The porter will stop by every once in a while, and they are generally McFriendlys as well.  I was talking about meals and the observation cars.

[Ducatiloo]

When I get Ms. McFriendlypants on a plane I put on "Final Destination I" and chuckle at the part when the plane blows up.      BOOM