The Empire-Builder train is a 46-hour, daily passenger train that passes through seven states, from Seattle to Chicago. A flight that would normally be 3 hours and 55 minutes on average is stretched out to an almost two-day journey. And with a basic ticket, you’ll only receive a modest reclining seat, plus no shower. That is one journey that you’d be foolish not to take, for the benefits are numerous. The ease of switching through cars in the cabin, being free from the fear of imminent turbulence. But, the often “no-brainer” option for most people would be that plane ticket on Delta or American Airlines, even with an extra price tag, because time is money. So, even though planes are unfortunately stuffy and quite an uncomfortable experience, not to mention their costliness, people choose them. So, for your vacation, would you prefer an airplane, a short journey but in a confined box? Or a slightly more luxurious train experience, yet one with more than 11 times the time spent? When on a work trip, taking the airplane is a fair game. When you wake up on the train, you might be saying hello to only the solaceful mountains, or the many solo travelers making their national park pilgrimage. On a plane? Merely the wailing kids, and the views of seat neighbors mindlessly watching TV. For the vacation experience, it seems the train is the obvious choice we’ve been missing.
Why would one choose to take the Empire-Builder train, the longest train ride in the United States? The benefit of this seemingly grueling journey is the sights you’ll experience right besides you. Cascading views of Glacier National Park, pine trees, teal lakes, the Rockies — the trip has users all over the internet hooked. But more than the train trip, it’s the location that has people fawning. The Pacific Northwest has been the subject of Instagram videos featuring soft music and natural scenery. These romanticized videos are almost a yearning for the completely “isolated-from-society” feeling that the region provides. To visit such areas, however, you’ll need strong legs and a well-fortified mind to accomplish the required backpacking. While I’d say yes in a heartbeat, most people would prefer a luxurious, more relaxing experience. The train journey provides an opportunity for those who want to experience a small part of the region without an extended stay. On a journey to Seattle, passengers get the opportunity to see the beautiful images of small towns in America, without needing to go through the extensive process of traveling and staying in one. The train services 45 stops, many of which are small towns far from airports. Wistful towns like Leavenworth, Washington, a beautiful stop with Bavarian architecture, are made much cheaper by the rail journey as well. Trains, it seems, allows travelers to have a number of experiences in one trip.
Perhaps what trains more importantly offer is a chance for the community. While recently surfing on YouTube, I stumbled upon a video where someone crossed North America using only public transit. Ko, known as Kodekai, documented his experience traveling from Vancouver, Canada, to the oldest lighthouse in New York, the Montauk lighthouse on Long Island. In addition to traveling on the Vancouver ferry and taking buses, he traveled on the Empire-Builder train. What was so remarkable about his journey, I thought, was the people he had met on the trip. It seemed as though a collection of widely different people had met under the shared experience of traveling on this train. Unlike an airplane, where your primary goal is to get through the exhausting cold cabin and cramped legroom, the train is an opportunity to slow down and make genuine attempts to connect with those around you. What we’re missing in our rush to start our “vacations” is that a vacation doesn’t necessarily start at the destination. Why not choose to start it by looking out into the views of the Rocky Mountaineer train with a cup of coffee, or talking to New Yorkers on their journey into the city on the Northeast Regional? The first time I rode commuter rail in Andover was a novelty, as my small town never had an Amtrak. I marveled at the sights of snow covered stations and the wintry New England air fogging the windows. We often don’t associate vacation with the dreaded airplane, cramped, cold, and always a gamble for who’s in the nearby seats. But trains can be.
A train may not be everyone’s first thought on how to travel for your vacation, especially in the United States. My friends hailing from New Jersey (NJ) say that, at times, NJ transit is mediocre. My brother notes that when he lived in DC, the metro moved at a snail pace. But such inconveniences can be fixed once the government sees a renewed interest in these public transportation options. We just need people to flock back to them. These small factors are easily overlooked when faced with the prospect of viewing the hidden parts of America so easily. If humans are seeking a slow-down, the purpose of vacation, why not allow the travel to be as well? It’s indulgent, eco-friendly, and a more social, less corporate seeming chance to unwind. Speaking further, trains can also offer a reprieve in life when we’re not on that scheduled vacation time. Taking the train from New Jersey to New York City for work is made a bit more special by the constant motion and unprompted interactions with other passengers that wouldn’t happen in your own car. So, go ahead, say goodbye to long TSA lines, overflowing bathrooms, and overpriced airport food. Hello, Amtrak.
