motowebmaster

My last post on this subject referenced my longest trip I have to make to visit one of my clients (six hours one-way); and I've got to make it again this week.

A train would be nice ...

The Prophet

Why is it that the USA doesn't have a decent Train System? Is it because we are a solidified, inflexible Car Culture?, Are we too impatient? Too cheap?

Europe, including of course the U.K., also Asia, Australia, etc, all have great cross country Train systems, so why not us?

As an experiment, i just looked up Amtrak, and since my wife and I were just recently in Florida, I asked for a quote on a round trip, Chicago to Tampa to make it easy.

$348.00 each (Vs $189.00 ea. on United Airlines).

45 hour trip, (Vs. 2 Hrs. 10 Minutes on United Airlines) This trip includes many stops, and some "in-between" bus trips.

Google "Amtrak" and try some trip quotes. Maybe short trips might be better, but you'd still need to rent a car, or Taxi Cab it, which can be expensive.

Amtrak

I think the U.S. DID have a reasonable Train System back in say the 20's, 30's and 40's, but after WWII it seems the Train business went under. Could it have been President Eisenhowers push in the 50's / 60's for better cross country highways? Having seen these in Europe, primarily the German Autobahn, he wanted the same for many reasons, including national defense. Maybe in doing so, the efficiency of getting around by car overwhelmed the Train concept.

Here's a thought:

A "Motorcycle Train Car", where you could put your Bike on the Train, ride the rails to.. wherever, then unload your bike and ride! They do this for bicycles I think, so a little additional "out-of-the-boxcar" thinking, and viola... we have an idea that maybe a lot of folks might latch onto!

Just some thoughts, slightly scrambled...

Ride Safe (try a Train today)!

Bob

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• A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~Lao Tzu
• Motorcyles are not my whole life, but they make my life whole. ` me

motowebmaster

Another thing I thought of is the cut-rate flights that are going on in the US right now; allowing for folks to take inexpensive trips to LA or Orlando - for less than the cost of a train or bus.

One of my coworkers went to Disney World in California over the last Christmas Holidays with ridiculously low-priced airline fees; and rented a car for an entire week for roughly $150.00 (maybe less).

Even Captain Kirk is boasting low rates on priceline. It may be that all of the vehicles on lots are best rented at lower rates because they have few miles on them - versus the alternative of replacing them with small vehicles or scooters.

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The Prophet

As usual, I spoke too soon:

Amtrak - Plan - Planning & Booking - Auto Train - Your Car, Your Stuff and You

Seems like Amtrak DOES have a system where you can put your motorcycle on the train, unfortunately it seems only from Washington, D.C., to Florida.

Wonder why they don't consider expanding this service to parts west? Selfishly, I'm thinkin' Chicago to say Wyoming?, California? Arizona?.... o.k.... Arkansas?

Ride Safe!

Bob

motowebmaster

Man, that is amazing. Imagine a scenario where you wanted to cruise Orlando and your bobber can come along on the train. Or if you wanted to go to Colorado in the summer and the VFR was packed with your luggage. I'd know it would take away some peaceful road time, but if your family wants to come along then the train can pack your micro-vehicle as well.

Think of the potential demand!

The Prophet

I just sent Amtrak an Email. Please everyone - if you are interested - go on their site, click "Contact Us", and write a nice Email on this.

We'll start a campaign! Let's see if I get a response. My track record with these "Contact Us" email thingie's is about 1%. Oddly, everyone seems to have these "contact us" tabs, but 99% never bother to respond. Maybe it's an automatic delete at their end.

We'll see, but seriously, I would consider it... IF the cost were realistic, and not purposely bloated up to attract folks with more excess cash than common sense, or targeted as a "trendy" thing to do for the same type of individuals. Example: I just heard that Hockey tickets for "Rink Side" - meaning right at the boards - seats for the Stanley Cup playoffs in Chicago, are going for $9,700 each, and selling like Hotcakes.

That's $161.00 a minute! It is also an absolute shame. Think of all the young kids that unconditionally supported and cheered for the Blackhawks all year long, and look up to the various players, and who now will never be able to afford to see their team play. Instead, it's "folks with more money than sense", who guaranteed couldn't even name three players on the team, who get the tickets. There outa' be a law. It WOULD be interesting if the Blackhawks organisation held a written test, and only those that could answer specific questions successfully about the season - stats and facts kind of stuff - would be eligible to recieve tickets. Hmmm?

Actually, there is a huge stink about this right now in Chicago, that is souring the whole Championship perspective for many fans (ex-fans?).
I don't blame 'em.

Anyway, as usual, I digress. Let's see if/how Amtrak responds...

Ride safe!

Bob