Amtrak Wins Favor of First-Time Rider

I am excited to report that for the first time this past weekend, I took the Amtrak train.

About two weeks before, I had decided to visit an old college friend for her upcoming birthday, in my favorite big city, Chicago.

Having driven to and from Chicago many times over the years, and many times by myself, I decided to forego the boring, flat drive up Interstate 55 and check into the Amtrak. I was very surprised to find the pricing so extremely reasonable. My total ticket price, round trip, was about $100. That's about what I would spend in gas if I were to drive.

Taking off from our beautiful and historic was not an option, unfortunately, because it would have added a significant expense.

I did have occasion to visit the Kirkwood Amtrak station before my trip; I wanted to print my ticket at the automated kiosk located inside. My visit there was so quaint. There were a couple groups of people gathered at tables inside drinking coffee and playing board games. They appeared to be "regulars," just enjoying one another's company and the ambiance of the station.

The day of departure I drove myself downtown and parked in the long-term lot. I had a short walk to the station, and thought I would have to "check in" somewhere, and possibly be screened somehow. Nope! I walked up to a window, and the gentleman seemed surprised when I showed him my ticket, even saying, "You already have your ticket? Go right to the train." So I did.

The conductor was merely asking people where they were headed as we boarded. No one checked that I had a ticket in hand, much less what the destination was. Like the stories I read growing up, the conductor did not check any tickets until the train was moving. I cannot help but wonder what they would do if someone was on the train with no ticket.  Hold them in a special seat until they get booted at the next stop?

The seats were spacious and there was tons of leg room. Everyone chooses their own seat. I did not get a window seat as I arrived about 25 minutes before departure, but I did not mind. There was a cafe car with a few booths where food and beverages were available. I sat with a nice woman and we talked about how it was both our first times on the train.

The eight scheduled stops between here and Chicago were smooth and fast. Many times we stopped for only a few minutes as there were only one or two passengers boarding. I was impressed.

On my return trip, I had upgraded my seat to "Business Class" for a mere $16. My older, more experienced Amtrak-taking sister, had told me it was worth it for an even larger seat. I grabbed the last empty row (and therefore scored a window seat this time!) and settled in. I was offered a free Chicago Tribune (hooray, I used to faithfully read the "Tempo" section every morning when I was growing up there!).

The only part I disliked were a couple about my age that boarded our prestigious "Business Class" car about 10 minutes before scheduled departure. The female kept looking back and forth over the car, obviously wanting to sit with her male counterpart. The conductor was announcing that we should have our tickets ready, and she loudly asked him, "And this is BUSINESS class?" Rude.

I busied myself by looking through my bags for nothing in particular to avoid eye contact. I am all for letting a couple sit together, if they are nice, but I was not planning on giving up my window seat for an aisle seat when I had arrived in plenty of time to get the last empty row, while they walked on so late. They could have sat together in two seats that faced two other seats. They got another couple to move so they wouldn't be disgraced with facing two strangers (gasp!).

Off we were...and I could read, sleep, look out my window and watch a movie to my heart's content. I loved the train, and give it a huge recommend for anyone considering a trip wherever the Amtrak can take you!