USA Rail

Random little thing I noticed while comparing my Amtrak tickets. My reservation code looked something like C35266 (not the real one). On the QR code it showed up as something like C35266-08MAR26, which seemed normal. But the PDF417 barcode on the physical ticket had a long...

My kids really want to try a train trip, so we’re thinking about doing DC to NYC on Amtrak. It would be two parents and three kids (ages 6–10). None of us have taken the train before, so I’m a little unsure how seating works. Coach tickets are a lot cheaper, but since seats...

Just finished a long Amtrak trip from NYC back to Florida and something always fascinates me on these long rides. The person sitting next to me for the entire trip barely moved the whole time. Didn’t eat anything, didn’t get up for the restroom once, nothing. And this was a 21...

Usually fly from Birmingham, Alabama to Washington DC every March for a conference. For the past few years it was always Southwest, but after the recent changes decided to try Amtrak instead. The trip actually went really well. Left on time, arrived on time, and the crew was...

Always been curious about this. BWI Rail Station consistently shows up as one of the busiest stations for Amtrak in the country. My guess is that it’s less about the airport itself and more about the location along the Northeast Corridor. It sits right between Baltimore and...

I had a train scheduled for 4:46pm and kept getting emails, texts, and app notifications saying it was delayed until after 5:35pm. I stayed at the station and kept refreshing the app to check the updated time. Then around 5:30pm I refreshed again and suddenly it showed that the...

I wouldn’t risk that. Even if it’s just one more stop, Route 128 is technically a different city and usually a higher fare than Providence. Conductors scan tickets and it’ll show your destination. If you’re still on after Providence, they’ll notice. Best case they charge you the...

Had a Roomette booked on the Silver Meteor (98) from FL to NY for me and my 6 year old. Booked it about 7 months ago. Woke up at 7am the morning of departure and saw we’d been moved to coach. No heads up, no explanation. Just… gone. Trying to figure out if this is usually an...

Random observation but I’ve noticed this too on certain routes. A lot of Amish and Mennonite communities don’t drive cars for religious reasons, so trains are one of the easiest ways for them to travel longer distances. Amtrak connects a lot of rural areas in Pennsylvania, Ohio,...

Just wrapped up about 35 days traveling solo almost entirely by Amtrak. Started and ended in the Midwest, hit the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, and the Rockies along the way. Roughly 8,200 rail miles total with surprisingly minimal delays. Routes included Hiawatha, Floridian,...

Just got an automated call from Amtrak saying my train tomorrow is overbooked and they “strongly advise” rescheduling to avoid standing conditions. I originally thought it was about the snow, but nope, apparently a technical issue. Rescheduling is tough since my Sunday train...

Coming back from a weekend in Chicago and honestly just frustrated. My partner and I are both disabled and use mobility aids. We booked disabled tickets for our return from Glenview to Milwaukee. When we boarded, the disabled seating area was basically full. No space for us to...

Not a dumb question at all, this comes up a lot with Amtrak. If you book a roomette as a solo traveler, it’s yours alone. Amtrak does not pair strangers together in roomettes. You’re paying for the private space, not a bed count. The two beds are just for flexibility if you’re...

I ride between St Paul and Chicago a lot, about 7 to 8 hours, and I just got off one of the worst trips I’ve had. Not because of delays, but because of other passengers. It felt like nonstop phone calls the entire ride. People in front of me, behind me, across the aisle. Putting...

Yesterday (1/11) I was on Train 149 from Boston to NYC in coach. The guy sitting in front of me, maybe mid to late 20s, helped an elderly man who almost fell and made sure his luggage was secure overhead. It was genuinely one of the kindest things I’ve seen in a while. Also…...