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New Luxury Train Travel in the United States
Neil rightly expressed dismay at the state of train travel in the United States in one of his posts, but Amtrak is going upscale on some routes. The company isn't going it alone however. It's pairing up with GrandLuxe Rail Journeys, a private company in Evergreen, Colorado that was once called the American Orient Express.
If you've seen any movies of train travel back when men and women wore cool hats and overcoats, the GrandLuxe Limited train cars look like people from that era might hop on. Think mahogany, five-course meals, and an ambiance that captures the high life. There's personal butler service even. In a way, as I read about this mode of travel, it reminded me a bit of the cruise to the Bahamas that my dad and daughter took this past December. The experience on the ship was the main thing they talked about. In the case of the GrandLuxe Limited, you're traveling across the land instead of the sea and getting pampered along the way. While getting to a place is part of the reason for taking one of these train trips, the ride is like a vacation on it's own.
If you're thinking about going between Chicago and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, Denver or Albuquerque or between Washington to Miami, this might be what you're looking for. It's not cheap, but it looks fun. The trains aren't heading down the tracks until November, but you can make reservations now on the GrandLuxe Web site.
Filed under: Business, Festivals and Events, North America, United States
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
James D. Flowers Apr 22nd 2009 2:06PM
Are the luxury trains still running?
Jamie Rhein Apr 22nd 2009 2:12PM
That is a great question and one that needs a follow-up post. I'll do some sluething.
Jamie Rhein Apr 22nd 2009 2:12PM
James, I do have plans to do a follow-up post, but in the meantime, GrandLuxe did stop in August, but there are luxury travel cars. Check out this link
http://www.vacationsbyrail.com/usa/luxury_rail/index.html?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=american+orient+express+tour&utm_campaign=usa+luxury+rail&OVRAW=american%20orient%20express&OVKEY=american%20orient%20express&OVMTC=standard&OVADID=1560854021&OVKWID=14474457021
Jamie
Paul Jul 17th 2007 4:09PM
How about instead they put their money toward making their regular trains run on time?
Sue Jul 20th 2007 8:17PM
Sign me up-it is about time we had train travel like yesteryear and like the rest of the world. Sounds great-but let me guess-it is going to be so expensive only the well to do will be able to do it...so I guess don't sign me up until I am a lot older and richer (if it is still possible to even achieve that 2nd part...lol).
Brenda Jul 20th 2007 8:40PM
The train travel industry fell by the way-side when air travel was started and subsidized by the federal government. Train travel was never given the leg-up like the airline industry was. I would love to take a coast-to-coast train trip and take advantage of being able to actually see the countryside. Back in the day, train travel was considered a marvel because of the rate of speed that the trains could reach! How impatient and spoiled we have become.
Marcia Jul 20th 2007 8:44PM
We took the Amtrak around the country once, and thoroughly enjoyed it. But, boy don't be in a hurry. I would love to take a luxury train ride. What fun. But we need NEW TRACKS for passenger trains only, not force them to ride on freight train tracks that are horrible, plus the passenger trains get stuck behind freight trains. I don't know why this country doesn't utilize passenger trains more and really develop a good track system for them. I know - money. But it would be money well spent.
rredds Jul 20th 2007 9:32PM
I think that every state, especially the larger cities should consider using what Disney uses, the monorail. It is quiet, clean and efficient. Every state has miles of highway with unused medial strips running down the center. A monorail would significantly decrease the use of gas, decrease pollution, and cut congestion 100 fold.........but if it makes sense, why do it? Right? Look at Delaware and New Jersey and the congestion of cars going to and from work and to the beach?
Wallace Heft Jul 20th 2007 11:55PM
It's about time we had some train travel equal to that of Japan or Europe.The government should get more involved to motivate private cos. instead of constant griping about subsudizing them. The govnt. certainly doesnt mind doing just that for the highways to give trucking cos. ,buses and private autos that advantage via gas taxes and subsudys.Lets give some good competition to the over-crowded airlines
jess Jul 20th 2007 9:54PM
luxury train rides would be great. as to the post by marcia about getting stuck behind a freight train. i am a quailifed conductor/ pilot/ brakeman/ switchman for the union pacific rail road. on the u.p. there are three main types of boards or rosters. the short board on the bottom. long pull in the middle. and z trains. the short board moves out of the way for every thing. the long pull move over for the z trains and they all move over for amtrack. amtrack will never be stuck behind a freight train on the u.p. i know just today i had to hold 2 hr. on the east end of the yard to go 6 mi. to drop of 12 cars so amtrack could go by. you will get stuck by men working on the tracks. but a men's life is on the line. i ride trains everyday and would love to ride a nice luxury train like my dad did in the 1940's.
Mike Hartenberg Jul 20th 2007 11:55PM
Wow. Wouldn't it be nice, but Americans are way too spoiled to give up their SUV's and trade them in for high speed rail service. Of course, we could do it! Other countries run successful high speed rail services with the same basic technology. The biggest obstacle is American attitude.
Spavelous Jul 20th 2007 11:54PM
Luxury train rides can be very romantic. I just hope that along with the dining car and the lounge car, that they have Comfortable sleep beds with tempurpedic mattresses, down pillows and comforters and 1000 ct sheets. Oh, one item that hasn't been on trains in the past a Spa Car. A delightful calm place for massages, facials, manicures, pedicures and pure relaxation. Of course this comes from the spa expert, http://www.spavelous.com . Then this will be a true luxury train.
G.E. De Geare Jul 20th 2007 11:54PM
Returning from a very long tour overseas, the year was 1949, the place was Oakland, California..Was to board the New Train called the, Feather River Canyon Run ,,from This city to Chicago... Fell in love with the train and it's staff, First class all the way. The service was just like you have today on the Crusises in the waters around this Great Country.. They did it right in the past, they can do it again...I still have the ticket and most all the paper work that was hand out to the passengers. Surly the very best ride on a train I've ever had..It's really the only Civilized way to travel.GED.
Pamm Jul 20th 2007 11:53PM
I just looked at the site. It looks good except for that darn single supplement.
What's up with that? Why should I, as a single traveler (read: one set of towels, one set of dishes, generally less labor intensive) have to pay more than a "couple" or others sharing?
Yes, I know that there's always a roommate sharing thing avaiable..think of it.. would YOU want to share your private space and possessions with a total stranger for a week or more?
This single supplement thing is a rip off and we singles need to start a protest rally.
marie lynn Jul 20th 2007 11:53PM
Trains have less security than planes. People get on trains with guns all the time. Tracks are more vunerable to terrioists, also.
Thanks,
harold bilby Jul 20th 2007 11:53PM
Dont take the amtrack from ft.Worth to LA. did that trip 2006, the worst vacation ever. Equipment outdated, and the trip was dangerous. With conductors, that didnt give a rats ass about anything. AM-track needs a overhaul, from the top down.
vivian clark Jul 21st 2007 12:36AM
I also would like to see arrangements made for single traelers that do not want to share with a stranger
I like my life alone but want to travel with all the amennities for a single person
jim from ny Jul 21st 2007 12:35AM
I just took Amtrak from NYC to niagara falls, canada. The train was close to 2 hours late each way. The bathrooms were deplorable. The food sucked.Customs was unbelievable. You sit on the train for 2 hours while they individually question each passenger while the diesel engine is running and no one is allowed to move. There has got to be a better way than this. Never again.
juliann finger Jul 21st 2007 12:35AM
The reason you will never see monorail travel for commuters or travelers in the United States is because the wealthy hold the purse strings. Automotive lobbists and the UAW spend big bucks to help presidents get elected - so they owe them back. Putting in something that we, the people, would use and save money plus improve the environment with doesn't figure into the grand scheme of things. Same goes for social security and healthcare - it's everyone for themselves. Sure would love a monorail though....just think of the clean air and no traffic !!!
Tim Jul 21st 2007 12:41AM
I notice most are camparing us to other countries, has anyone ever noticed how much larger the United States is than Europe and definitely Japan. Granted, rail may be a good form of travel, and I am not against it, but it would be an extremely large and long project.