Train Graffiti

An accidental train lover. I recommend everyone travel by train at some point. We, as a nation, have underfunded Amtrak for decades. Amtrak CEO requested $3.88 billion for operating in fiscal year 2022. That sounds like a whole lot of money but compare that to what we as tax payers spent on highways: $131 Billion.

Over the coming years as climate change worsens we will probably see a revival of train travel. It is one of the cleanest ways to travel. We need to build high speed rail and also open up lines we have closed from decades past.

There is magic in train travel. It is such a different experience than flying or driving. If you are going on vacation and choose to get to your destination by train then your vacation starts as soon as you get on the train. It is relaxed. You aren’t in a rush. You aren’t crammed into a small space. You can move around. I highly recommend getting a sleeper. It costs more and is worth every dollar!

Freight owns the tracks that Amtrak travels on. That can mean Amtrak has to pull over to let freight trains go by. It can mean more delays for travel.