arriving back in the u.s.a. after a summer in germany with many (delayed) train rides there, i was happy to have an occasion to test the u.s. train system for the first time.
this is certainly not new york. but there is another pretty union station: in portland, oregon.
in the big hall with wooden benches, stone floor, and red neon signs a certain type of people seem to gather: byciclists with their vehicles, aged hippies, adventurous family. the word "california" flies through the air, and instructions for travelers to canada are provided. the three doors open up to the tracks.
across the three doors you'll find the big open ticket counter.
an old-fashioned announcement board keeps track of arrivals and departures. time seems to be viewed with the typical laid back west coast attitude. ten minutes give or take count for nothing. otherwise it might get hectic adjusting the board.
ooh, that's neat, i thought, when i saw that the train station comes with a baggage department. and no, it's not just for storage but to check in luggage to take along.
alas, my stop in kelso was too short for my baby monster suitcase to deserve one of the many colorful tags in the sorting shelf.
alas, my stop in kelso was too short for my baby monster suitcase to deserve one of the many colorful tags in the sorting shelf.
so, off i went with suitcase, backpack, and purse in tow. at least i couldn't miss the direction.
interestingly you have to walk across the tracks to get to your train...
because other than in germany the train tracks are level with the platform making the train look rather like a steel mountain to climb.
the worst inconvenience: the train is hovering so high above the ground that yellow stepping helps are needed. if it would have been just for myself, no problem. but with a giant suitcase that maxes out the weight limits of the airlines it became a pain lifting them on board.
recovering from the suitcase exercise was easy. the coach department -- which would be called economy on flights or second class on german trains -- looked like german business class to me. seats were soft and big enough to curl up.
similar to german trains a dinner car offered snacks at the board bar.
expensive souvenirs: my 45-minute trip cost $23 (€18 as of this writing). a similar distance and train ride in germany costs about $7.70 (€6). at least, the pricy u.s. ticket came with a guaranteed seat in a very comfy coach car.
curious about my experience with the german trains this summer? but beware, it will crack the myth of german punctualness and "Ordnung"
url: http://iamericansequel.blogspot.com/2010/08/delays-track-changes-brazenness-riding.html
curious about my experience with the german trains this summer? but beware, it will crack the myth of german punctualness and "Ordnung"
url: http://iamericansequel.blogspot.com/2010/08/delays-track-changes-brazenness-riding.html
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2 comments:
My Amtrak-train from St. Paul to Chicago was one hour late and arrived 90 minutes too late.
My train from Frankfurt in Germany to Weissenfels (guess, also in Germany) was one minute too late.
The stereotypes still work.
:-)
Great to hear about another Amtrak route and how it works. How much did you pay for St. Paul to Chicago and did you find the train clean and neat inside?
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