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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.
| Luxury: Pampering is key. | |
|---|---|
| Cost: As long as it's cheap. | |
| Timing: When I can go, the trip goes. |
Filed under: Business, Festivals and Events, North America, United States
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Nick Jul 21st 2007 5:58AM
The real reasons we don't have train service in the US comparable to Europe:
1. Europe is MUCH more densely populated (UK 236 people/sq.km, Germany 232/sq.km, Italy 193/sq.km, USA 31/sq.km)so the cost is much less per needed route in Europe vs. the US.
2. European automotive fuel costs are MUCH more (over 6$/gallon in many countries there), so the financial incentive to use public transportation is much greater.
QED: It really comes down no $$$.
Geegee Davis Jul 21st 2007 1:02AM
I lived in Sweden for 14 months. I rode the fast trains all over Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France, and LOVED it. You get there fast and economically. And you can relax and look at the scenery. We need a rail system like that in the USA !! Small cities could be connected along with the big cities. Look how economical it would be !! If Americans would just try it they would love it. I hope it is coming soon to The USA !!
Jane Morris Jul 21st 2007 8:40AM
Why did we let them go? Growing up, my Dad was the conductor on the Hummingbird for the L & N. I miss trains. But the average person can not afford them and the limited time we have for vacations makes it impractical. So sad. I have ridden the trains, normal and high-speed, in Europe and even the Marakesh Express from Casablanca to Marakesh and train travel is the vacation and time well spent. Just keep it affordable. TIME is the luxury.
Ron Jul 21st 2007 8:39AM
I just took a train ride from New York to Washington DC. Let me tell you, I don't care how luxurious the train or how high class the service, unless these tracks are fixed the ride will still be uncomfortable, tiring and totally forgettable. If that section of track is a sample of what the rest of the nation is like, I will not be getting on any train any time soon.
Lois Covey Jul 21st 2007 8:39AM
My Father worked for the C& O Railway back in the 40's and we never took car when we could ride the train, I would love to take a train cruise, but I think the cost of it would be prohibitive, I remember the food in the dining cars, and I could sleep like a kitten on the Chessie Trains, the last trip was on Amtrak with plastic table cloths and only one schedule that was not very plesant but I woulds till like to have one. Does Medicare cover the cost, It sure doesn't cover the stay in a hospital and a train wouldbe more relaxing
mary frances klupar Jul 21st 2007 8:38AM
In 1986 my husband and I took a train ride from Moscow to Singapore and then Bejing. It took 32 days an experience never to be forgotten. Ever see an arab soldier riding a camel on a sand dune?? or watch as they changed the wheels on your train from wide to narrow gauge at the Manchurian Border. I am an american from the midwest so mundane that I would ride the train from Cleveland to Chicago with my sons to see their grandparents in the 50's and 60's.Riding the roaring Elgin was fun. I would recommend exploring on the RR.
Ken Smith/Houston Jul 21st 2007 8:37AM
I wonder why we haven't considered bringing STEAM powered trains back under new technology? How much oil would that SAVE? If you're in a hurry, you don't take a train anyway, do you? Why not build the finest trains in the world? Europe sure does.
lthrpapa Jul 21st 2007 8:37AM
First of all the main problem is Amtrak doesn't own most of the tracks it operates over. And at the same time Amtrak tends to shot itself in the foot. Last year I rode from Chicago to Osceola IA, a distence of about 300 miles. Yes the fare was alright, but here was the problem. We sat aboard the California Zephyr at Chicago Union Station while we waited for 2 yes 2 people that were conecting from the Capitol Limited. By waiting the CZ lost it's dispatch window on the busy BNSF Denver mainline. So here we are in Osceola IA 300 miles west of Chicago and 3 hours late. BNSF is one of the few railroads that really tries to keep Amtrak trains running smoothly and on time.
carlonne Jul 21st 2007 11:53AM
What this country needs is a national high speed rail system. It could easily be installed in the median of the interstate highways. Imagine being able to get practically anywhere at about the same time as airline travel! No more having to be concerned with outrageous,time consuming security. It works in Europe & Japan. It can work here.
eves Jul 22nd 2007 8:57AM
After riding the trains in China, I would LOVE to have that here. It would be fun and relaxing. Planes are faster, but my fiancee is scared to fly. This way we could spend more time together and enjoy the "travel" part of traveling. Airport security puts a halt to any relaxation in a vacation.... As soon as I get to the airport to go home from a relaxing time at the beach, all my fun is undone by the mean security people
minirose Jul 28th 2007 11:53PM
I have traveled the Grandluxe and it was NOT luxury. It was dirty and hot. The airconditioner did not work most of the trip. I was stuck on that train for 7 days. What a nightmare.
minirose Aug 4th 2007 1:59AM
Luxury train travel is wonderful but having spent 7 days aboard the Grandluxe Express, I can tell you that this train was not luxurious (in my opinion). Problems with the air conditioning and toilets made for a very uncomfortable trip. Our room was dirty and we received poor service. I would not recommend this train.
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