Taking a series of trains, buses and fun facts about them
-
@skinnylatte I took the Coast Starlight for the first time recently (between Seattle and Portland) and it was fascinating (as a Brit, and someone who has travelled on trains on six continents) how many announcements were targeted at people who might never have been on a train before: because in the US this might be the case!
@LauraC_rter I feel like the sort of people who might take the train at all in the U.S. are probably more hippie-coded than neck beard
And rich retirees
-
Announcement: please wear shoes on the train. If you come to the cafe with no shoes, we will not serve you
There’s someone on the train with laptop and multi screen setup. You def can’t do that in a plane. In economy class.
-
@leguinian_utopia @skinnylatte BART is a commuter train that runs both underground and above ground.
@Moss @leguinian_utopia it’s kind of both subway and commuter rail
-
3. Coast Starlight to Los Angeles
Fun fact: This train will travel through some of the most beautiful areas of the Pacific coast, and at least one rocket launch base
EDIT: adding prices as a record. This usually costs $48-120 depending on when you book it. I got it as part of my rail pass
#Trains #Amtrak #California #CoastStarlight
@skinnylatte Ooooh I’m jealous.
Enjoy the trip!
-
There’s someone on the train with laptop and multi screen setup. You def can’t do that in a plane. In economy class.
@skinnylatte no, but it’s a shame that people can’t turn off anymore. It used to be a perk of travelling: no one could expect answers to emails.
-
@rey @skinnylatte or Reed.. I see people barefoot in PDX bars at least once a year. Oregon things.
Empire Builder is a good one too. Although much of it is (was?) in darkness heading to Whitefish, MT.
@badsamurai @skinnylatte
The night stretch from portland to whitefish always bums me out; Idaho's panhandle is gorgeous, but at least there's a nice sunrise in the woods coming around whitefish lake. -
@LauraC_rter I feel like the sort of people who might take the train at all in the U.S. are probably more hippie-coded than neck beard
And rich retirees
@skinnylatte
When I took the Zephyr from SF to Chicago, there was a surprising amount of people who took it regularly because they thought planes sucked and it was by and large US folks on the train.
They were surprisingly normal and non adventurous - felt just like the way of travelling they prefer - even though travel was considerably slower.
@LauraC_rter -
@badsamurai @skinnylatte
The night stretch from portland to whitefish always bums me out; Idaho's panhandle is gorgeous, but at least there's a nice sunrise in the woods coming around whitefish lake.@ike_seblon @skinnylatte I sleep so well on or near trains. So on the plus side, when it arrives at 7am you’re ready for immediate Montana adventures.
-
There’s someone on the train with laptop and multi screen setup. You def can’t do that in a plane. In economy class.
-
@skinnylatte The exit sign looks like it belongs in the field, not on the train.
-
There’s someone on the train with laptop and multi screen setup. You def can’t do that in a plane. In economy class.
@skinnylatte my friend takes amtrak cross-country to visit his parents and uses the time for catching up on all his CAD work -- puts movies on one screen and drafting on other screens
He's out of the country or else i would laugh that you were on the same train
-
I brought my own kettle and tea bags (am out of my good tea leaves or I’d have brought that too!)
-
I brought my own kettle and tea bags (am out of my good tea leaves or I’d have brought that too!)
@skinnylatte Woah, am intrigued by this kettle, I usually just befriend the LSA for infinite hot water
-
2. MacArthur BART station has a bunch of free shuttle buses. The one I use most is the EmeryGoRound, primarily to the Amtrak station in Emeryville.
Fun fact: the Hollis route runs from 5:45am to 9:20pm on weekdays, every 15 min
EDIT: adding prices as a record. This was $0
@skinnylatte huh, I’ve done Amtrak Thruway bus to Emeryville; transfer at Richmond; and bike/walk from Lake Merritt BART to Jack London station; but never this. What do you like about this option?
-
I brought my own kettle and tea bags (am out of my good tea leaves or I’d have brought that too!)
@skinnylatte I like rose hip, mainly because I'm allergic to chamomile
-
@skinnylatte no, but it’s a shame that people can’t turn off anymore. It used to be a perk of travelling: no one could expect answers to emails.
@CStamp @skinnylatte you will love the complete lack of cell reception on much of the Coast Starlight route, then! and no wifi
-
I brought my own kettle and tea bags (am out of my good tea leaves or I’d have brought that too!)
@skinnylatte I did not know one could get a portable kettle like that — I may have to get one!
-
I brought my own kettle and tea bags (am out of my good tea leaves or I’d have brought that too!)
@skinnylatte are the on-train electrical outlets actually powerful enough to boil water?! I may need to buy a kettle like this. No coffee or tea on my Gold Runner ride was a trial for me.
-
@Moss @leguinian_utopia it’s kind of both subway and commuter rail
@skinnylatte @Moss @leguinian_utopia the other system that’s similarly a subway/commuter rail hybrid is Washington DC’s Metro, inspired by and built shortly after BART.
-
@CStamp @skinnylatte you will love the complete lack of cell reception on much of the Coast Starlight route, then! and no wifi
@scott @skinnylatte There should always be placing out of reach.
