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Amtraking a Guide to Enjoyable Train Travel by Mauris L Emeka AUTOGRAPHED COPY
Amtraking a Guide to Enjoyable Train Travel by Mauris L Emeka AUTOGRAPHED COPY
Soft Cover
116 pages
Copyright 1994
CONTENTS
About the Author v
Acknowledgements vi
Foreword vii
Introduction xiii
Chapter 1
The Magic of A Train 1
Chapter 2
A Brief History of Passenger Trains 5
The early years 5
1860 and after 7
Motor cars replace trains 10
Amtrak is launched 11
Chapter 3
What's Available - Equipment and Services 13
Coach cars 13
Sleeper car accommodations 17
Dining car and lounge car 20
Services for senior citizens and persons with special needs 20
Other special services 22
Baggage, carry-ons, bicycles, skis, etc. 24
A note about packing 25
Be alert for unmanned stations . . 25
Animals on the train 26
Chapter 4
Trip Planning 29
Important points to remember when booking travel 30
Things to bring 33
Chapter 5
Getting the Best Fare 37
Ask the right questions 37
Types of Fares 38
Air/Rail travel 41
This family made its travel dollar go far 41
The USA Rail Pass 42
Chapter 6
Group Travel and Amtrak Reservations 47
Booking group travel 47
Train travel information at your finger tips 48
A little known way to book a sleeper 49
Chapter 7
Preparing to Board the Train 53
Call before going to the station . . . 53
Before and after boarding54
Your coach ticket 55
Luggage handling 55
Chapter 8
Eating on the Train 59
Eating in the diner 59
Food and drink in the lounge 61
Eating at your coach seat 62
Your Private Garden on the Train 63
Chapter 9
Keeping Fit and Comfortable on the Train 65
Stretching 65
Sleeping on the train 66
To smoke or not to smoke 68
Traveler's stretches 69
Chapter 10
Entertainment on the Train81
Chapter 11
Special Concerns of Train Travelers . 83
If you get lost on the train 83
Ticket refunds and cancellations . . 84
Commendations and complaints . . 85
Lost and found86
Routine station stops 87
Your Chicago stopover 88
Chapter 12
Questions Passengers Often Ask . . 91
Chapter 13
The Train Crew 99
Operating crew 99
On-board service crew 100
Chapter 14
Other Sources of Passenger Train Information 103
Chapter 15
Tipping 105
By way of history 105
The practice today 106
Chapter 16
Passenger Trains in America's Future? 109
Index 113
INTRODUCTION
Considering a train trip in the USA? If you're not going on a commuter line, then you will be riding on Amtrak-the federally-owned and operated rail passenger service corporation. More and more people are "Amtraking" and finding it a wonderful way to travel. If you want to enjoy long distance train travel and experience minimum hassles, you will benefit from reading this book. In my fifth year as an Amtrak train attendant, I work about twelve days a month, traveling the western routes. Hands-on experience gives me an insiders's perspective on train travel.
While working on the train, I frequently meet passengers who are encountering difficulties that could be avoided if they had certain information. After advising passengers and answering the same questions trip after trip, I decided to write a guide to help people get the most from their time spent on the train - that is, to help them be more comfortable, get more for their travel dollar, save time, and, generally, to have an enjoyable trip.
Many passengers are unsure what to expect and what guidelines to observe upon boarding the train. They are not familiar with some of the unique benefits of "Amtraking", and how to take advantage of them. This book answers these and other important questions. It offers the reader a close-up view of Amtrak trains, with tips and suggestions to make them fun and affordable. Use it as a handy reference, especially before you go on your next long distance train trip.
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