Here’s the depressing reality of train travel in America

[juajen]

56. I assume that you will have a private room w/bathroom.

I loved the train trip I finally took, from Greenville, SC to New Orleans. Even the bumpy ride didn't bother me; however, the bathrooms were almost unbearable. The swinging back and forth by the train made it nearly impossible for urine to stay where it belonged. So, all of you be warned that the bathrooms are an experience. Amtrak could improve the quality of the ride immeasurably by improving the bathrooms.

However, it was wonderful watching the excitement of the people who were seeing NOLA for the first time. Most of them thought that Lake Ponchartrain was the ocean. It is huge and you cannot see shore in the distance. I loved getting to know people on the train, as I left my seat and went into the lounge where I could get coffee and play cards and watch the scenery as it skated by.

I really loved it. My late husband and I wanted to go so badly, but he couldn't make it, so I made it for both of us. Incidentally, I hummed City of New Orleans all the way in to NOLA. The Super Dome was a sight to see. I have become as fond of South Louisiana as a native. I have lived here almost thirty years. It is home. I was picked up by one of my children for the drive into Lafayette. You can travel to Lafayette by train, but it requires an overnight in New Orleans. Didn't want to wait that long.

I highly recommend this American experience before they do away with the wonderful passenger trains in this country. What a shame, and what a boost it would be if we could travel all over the country by rail.