A few years ago, I took the Sunset Limited train from New Orleans all the way to Loserville, that is, Los Angeles, that is, Trashyville. Such a romantic way to travel. It took two days and two nights. This is the train's route. And as I rocked gently and peacefully to the train's railtrack lullaby,… Continue reading A mass-shooting tour of the USA, mostly by train
Tag: trains
How to survive your 2-day Amtrak trip
I've been on the two-day California Zephyr between Chicago and San Francisco; the two-night/one-day Sunset Limited between Houston and Los Angeles; and the two-day Southwest Chief between Los Angeles and Chicago. So, in terms of your basic needs (sleep, food, using the bathroom, and, if you like, prayer), how will you survive?? Train lay-out First,… Continue reading How to survive your 2-day Amtrak trip
The train is better than the plane from Houston to LA
To get from Houston to Los Angeles by train, there is no need to ever switch trains or any hassle like that: all you do is take one single train, the Sunset Limited. And I think you should almost definitely take the train, and not fly, because it's a cute train; and it's nice scenery;… Continue reading The train is better than the plane from Houston to LA
The overnight train from North Carolina to Florida
We did an Amtrak trip from central NC to Orlando. Let me first say - the train (trains) weren't all that late! Wow, Amtrak! I know that's a rare thing for you, so I thought I'd give credit where credit was due. First, we took the Piedmont train out from central North Carolina. This is… Continue reading The overnight train from North Carolina to Florida
The train in Pakistan is faster than Amtrak
Did you hear that, Amtrak? Okay, it's not always faster, but just lookie here: The train in Pakistan goes from Rahim Yar Khan to Karachi in 10 hours. That is 386 miles, or 621 kilometers. Meanwhile, I have been on the "Carolinian" between Charlotte, North Carolina and Washington D.C. about 50 times. The route, which does… Continue reading The train in Pakistan is faster than Amtrak
Stuck in Pakistan
I wasn't stuck in Pakistan; but someone I knew was. Let's call him Jassim. Jassim went to Pakistan for two weeks to attend conferences at two different universities. Just so you are aware, purchasing a regular tourist visa to Pakistan, at least for Americans, costs almost $200, but because Jassim was going for conferences, it… Continue reading Stuck in Pakistan