Americana on the Rails: Lessons and Memories from Amtrak Travel
It has been five years since I last rode Amtrak. It has been ten since I really rode Amtrak. Five years ago, my husband Andrew and I took a relatively short (in train time) trip from the Twin Cities to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The longer trip, five years prior, was from Washington State to Connecticut. Yes, I rode Amtrak all the way across the country.
At this point, I could interject about my flying issues, but that’s not what this blog is about, so I won’t. I will say, however, that I have flown in recent years—Atlanta to San Francisco and back, New York, Washington, Minnesota, Texas. But lately, the skies haven’t seemed so friendly to me, so I’m in a self-imposed grounding.
So, when my dad announced he would need hip replacement surgery, and I had vacation time available at work, the clickety-clack of my old friend, the train, echoed in the back of my mind. Typically, I drive to Washington from my home in San Jose, California, so I can have the convenience of my car. But knowing this trip was more about spending time with my dad than personal leisure, forgoing my driving freedom seemed like a minor sacrifice.
Patience, Flexibility, and the Art of Train Travel
It’s fair to say that passenger/leisure train trips of more than three hours aren’t for everyone. My mom tried to like them, but her frequent need for a cigarette made riding the rails too restrictive. Andrew gave Amtrak his best effort on our short leg from the Twin Cities to Milwaukee, but its romantic allure was soon lost when the train was two hours late in arrival—and he realized we could have flown to Milwaukee in that time.
And herein lies the key to earning your conductor’s cap: you have to be patient, flexible, adaptable, and willing to share. Most importantly, you have to let go.
If you can embrace even a few of these qualities, you’ll be greatly rewarded. The train offers a travel experience like no other. It’s more personal and less commercial than flying, less tiring and less stressful than driving. Train tracks run through parts of the country that planes and cars never see—metropolitan cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, or the Rocky Mountains and rolling hills of the northern plains. Amtrak provides a window to it all.
A Window to America
One of my favorite things about train travel is the opportunity to glimpse into the backyards of America. Passing by homes, I can’t help but wonder: who are the families that live there? Why do they have three trucks? Who decided to paint their house that shade of purple? How long, exactly, does it take them to get to their nearest Target?
But it’s not just the people outside the train who spark my curiosity. The characters onboard are just as fascinating. There’s an unspoken bond among train travelers—a shared decision to take the slower, more scenic route. Conversations on the train tend to go deeper than the surface-level banter of airports. You might hear about Bob’s three grandchildren, learn their names, and find out exactly why he’s proud of them.
If I had to choose one word to summarize train travel as I’ve experienced it, it would be Americana.
Memorable Moments on the Rails
Over the years and thousands of miles on Amtrak, three experiences stand out in my memory.
1. A Mugging and a Lesson in Kindness
One of my most unfortunate experiences was the time I got mugged on a train. It wasn’t violent, but my wallet was stolen right out from under my nose. A man, misrepresenting himself as having a disability, took advantage of my trust and ran off with my wallet just as the train was still at the station. I panicked—no money, no ID, no credit cards.
Amtrak staff assured me they’d provide food for my three-day journey home. But what I’ll never forget is the kindness of fellow passengers who gave me $40 to get by. When I offered to repay them, they said, “No way. We have kids at home, and if this had happened to one of them, we’d hope someone would help them out.” Their generosity left a far deeper impression than the mugger’s actions.
2. The Chaos of Chicago’s Union Station
Another vivid memory is passing through Chicago’s Union Station at rush hour on a Friday afternoon. The juxtaposition was striking: Amtrak passengers, waiting patiently for hours, alongside commuter traffic, rushing to get home and brimming with impatience. The contrast of friendly and frenetic energy is something I’ll never forget.
3. An Australian Connection
On my Washington-to-Connecticut trip, I met a woman from Australia. Amtrak once offered international travelers an incredible deal: unlimited train travel for a month for just $300. She had taken advantage of this and was traveling the U.S. We talked for hours—about our lives, dreams, and what made us who we were. We became pen pals for years afterward, a testament to the deeper connections train travel fosters.
More Than a Journey
These are just a few of the experiences I never would have had if I hadn’t answered the call of “All aboard!” On Amtrak, it truly isn’t just about the destination—it’s about the journey itself. And oh, what a journey it is.
