Once upon a time, the train was THE way to travel around and across the United States. But since the dawn of personal car ownership, the building of an interstate highway system, and the advent of easily available passenger flights, usage of America’s passenger rail system has been in decline.
But if you haven’t taken a long-distance train ride, you’re missing out on a truly unique American experience.
I recently took a train ride from Seattle, Washington, to Eugene, Oregon, on the Amtrak Cascades, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Here are some of the benefits of rail transportation:
Comfort and space
Unlike buses and airplanes, trains have comfortable, wide seats with lots of legroom—which is a huge bonus when you’re on a six-hour journey. You can also carry on larger pieces of luggage than you can on airplanes, which makes it easy to ensure that your luggage arrives at your destination with you.
Relaxation
Driving anywhere on a holiday weekend, especially down the I-5 corridor between Seattle and Eugene, is a stress fest like no other. With heavy traffic and distracted travelers, it’s also a bit on the dangerous side. Letting someone else do the driving is a great relief and allows you to really enjoy your trip.
Safety
Rail safely and efficiently moves not just people but freight as well. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, riding a passenger train is more than 23 times safer than traveling by car.
Scenery
The Amtrak Cascades winds through some of the most beautiful parts of the Pacific Northwest, including Oregon’s wine country and pear and apple farms, not to mention gorgeous mountain views when you look to the east. If you’re on the west side of the train, you’ll see some amazing coastal vistas as you travel from Seattle to Olympia.
Urban artscapes
When trains operate in urban areas, tracks are usually in industrial areas, which leads to views of lots of warehouses. You might think that’s a bad thing, but I saw some amazing urban art. Some might call this graffiti and think of it as a blight on the cities, but these pieces were more than just random tags by delinquent kids. There was some serious artwork by talented spray paint artists to be seen on fences, bridge abutments, columns, and even warehouses.
Friendly passengers
Most airplane trips I’ve taken, I’ve spent in silence, lost in the music playing in my ear buds. But on the train, I just felt like chatting with my fellow rail riders. Perhaps it was the fact that we were sharing an experience that’s becoming less common as the years go on. Or maybe it was the fact that everyone was more relaxed because of the comfort of riding on the train.
When you’re taking a train ride, you’re acknowledging that the journey is just as important as the destination. I hope rail travel begins to increase in popularity as people become fed up with congested highways and cramped, uncomfortable airplanes. If we actually get to see our country from the ground, it will help us realize that we have more in common than we may think.