Full Description
This new, tenth edition of Bradt's USA by Rail guidebook remains the pre-eminent source of information for exploring North America via its ruggedly charming, unabashedly romantic, reassuringly eco-friendly and pleasingly inexpensive train network. The grandeur of North America's scenery - from its never-ending prairies, the Joshua trees of the Mojave Desert and the saw-toothed peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the pounding surf of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans - is one of its greatest attractions, and there is no better way to enjoy it than by train.
Pampered by helpful attendants, you can travel from coast to coast, explore the Rocky Mountains and ride alongside two oceans. You can cross rivers, lakes and deserts, often seeing places that cannot otherwise be visited. Rarely suffering from weather delays, trains keep travellers relaxed and in touch with an ever-changing landscape. You can choose your companions, read a book, let your thoughts unfurl, take a snooze and enjoy most of the comforts of home.
Through 30 chapters, 35 maps and 40 colour photos, Bradt's USA by Rail showcases 26 long-distance train journeys across the United States plus 12 in Canada. These are complemented by sightseeing highlights for 38 major cities among 500 featured destinations. World-renowned locations such as Disney World, the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls nestle alongside regional hidden gems, a history of North American railroads, and details of current steam train operators, tourist railways and museums.
Originally written by the late John Pitt, who travelled 80,000 miles by train in North America, this extensive update from train-travel expert Jill Dutton reflects the latest developments in rail travel across North America, including the new Rocky Mountaineer route in the US, new high-speed sections of major routes, and changes to Amtrak routes and services. Throw in route plans, advice on onboard amenities, suggestions for accommodation options from cheap to chic, and help navigating unfamiliar train stations, and this unparalleled guidebook offers all the practical information required to make the most of a rail pass. In short, Bradt's USA by Rail remains the essential companion for smooth and successful train travel across North America.
Contents
Introduction
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
1 From Horsepower to Amtrak
2 Train Practicalities
3 Practical Information
PART TWO TRAINS AND ROUTES IN THE UNITED STATES
4 The Coast Starlight Seattle-Los Angeles
5 The California Zephyr Chicago-Emeryville (for San Francisco)
6 The San Joaquin San Francisco-Bakersfield (via Emeryville/Oakland)
7 The Pacific Surfliner Los Angeles-San Diego
8 The Empire Builder Chicago-Seattle
9 The Empire Builder Spokane-Portland
10 The Southwest Chief Chicago-Los Angeles
11 The Sunset Limited New Orleans-Los Angeles
12 The Texas Eagle Chicago-San Antonio (for Los Angeles)
13 The City of New Orleans Chicago-New Orleans
14 The Northeast Corridor Boston-Washington, DC
15 The Northeast Corridor New Haven-Springfield (for Boston)
16 The Crescent New York-New Orleans
17 The Silver Star New York-Miami
18 The Silver Meteor New York-Miami
19 The Northeast Corridor Washington-Newport News
20 The Cardinal New York-Chicago
21 The Adirondack New York-Montreal
22 The Vermonter Washington, DC-St Albans (for Montreal)
23 The Lake Shore Limited Boston/New York-Chicago
24 The Capitol Limited Washington, DC-Chicago
25 The Pennsylvanian New York-Pittsburgh
26 The Maple Leaf New York-Toronto
27 The Wolverine Chicago-Pontiac
28 Other Routes
29 US Steam Today
PART THREE ON CANADIAN RAILS
30 Canada's Trains Today
Appendices: Useful Addresses, Ticketing Agents, Further Information
Index
