Here’s the depressing reality of train travel in America

[kiri]

29. The Amtrak Acela is awful

Dear Amtrak,
Yesterday I rode the Acela train from Washington, DC to Boston. Business class, Quiet car.

This was the worst train trip I ever took.

For 7½ hours, I was jerked, bumped, bounced beyond description. Amtrak should provide a free brain scan to check for concussion with every Acela ticket. After 7½ hours, it turns a brain to mush.

It is impossible to read a book or a computer screen. No one's eyes can follow the constant bumps. No one can type an email--you never know what key will be hit. I tried, and I spent another hour trying to correct the bump-mistakes.

In addition, we had to put up with a high-pitched whine or whistle that came from above.

I am not sure whether my kidneys and bowels will ever recover from this.

In any Western European country, such a lousy train would be a national embarrassment. In China or Japan, such a train would lead to the resignation of the Minister of Transport. And I know this, because I have been on trains in all these places.

I used to be a supporter of Amtrak and high-speed rail service. The Acela has changed my mind 180 degrees. It is clear that anyone who rides in Acela is likely to come away believing that high-speed rail is like the Acela. This does enormous damage. Acela is a grotesque example of decent rail service.

The Acela is a poster for bad trains. For the sake of human kind, it should be banned immediately as a health threat. And for the sake of decent rail travel, it must be stopped.