Coldguy on Trains

Ok so this isn't a super serious post but recently did something that you may or may not have done yourself so let's share my first with you all. I went to PAX, in Boston, and had an awesome time. I was tempted to go and use my car to drive 6+ hours to the venue only to realize that I would be driving into NYC in the middle of the busiest rush our traffic.

Yea...

So instead I chose another mode of transportation, the train. Now couple things about the train I did not know and might be helpful for you to know.

1) The Acella Express is not worth it. For an additional $150 I could be at my destination in an hour and a half less time, however add that to the price of the train and it would be the same as a plane in a longer amount of time. So unless you really need to get there or are a business person avoid this train.

2) Security is awesome. I literally showed my ticket and got on the train, no scanners, no probes, no x-ray machines, just a dog sniffing my bag and moving on. So if you do not like the tsa, these people are cool.

3) No need to reserve your ticket at all. Trains are big, really big, and they almost never get full. So if you are not sure of exactly what time you are going to leave its cool. Go to the ticket counter tell them where you want to go and they give you the option, it is quick and easy to do.

4) First class is for laptops. This might sound odd, but the perks of first class and coach isn't that big of a deal. The only difference is a foot stool, extra leg room, blinds for your windows and having a conductor tell you what the next stop is rather a giant loud speaker. So if you have a laptop and intend on working on it for the duration of your trip then first class is for you, otherwise stick to coach.

5) The food court is your friend. The food court is so close to the gates that it is very nice, so take advantage of this fact and load up before going on the train for the ride. If you eat on the cafe cart it will be both overpriced and not good to eat. There is enough of a variety for you to go and eat several good meals, use this to your advantage.

6) Park away from the station. Overnight parking was between $25-$32 a day, if you are smart take advantage of the fact that the majority of connecting cities have regional lines that will take you directly to the main train hub. Use this since parking overnight is by far the cheaper alternative, or better yet arrange to be picked up or dropped off.

7) You will not sleep on the train. Unless you have earplugs, a eye mask and drugs that will knock you out, the train has so many bumps in the tracks that will make you not feel at all that you are having a smooth ride and will not get in a conformable position in either first class or coach to get some rest.

8) There is no AC. Unlike planes you do not have a small AC vent to keep you col and you will sweat a lot, bring a battery powered fan to keep yourself cool and relaxed.

Those are my thoughts on riding the train. Will I do it again? Most likely yes since I am close enough to several train stations to take me to a major station that goes up and down the East Coast. So if I were to travel to Boston or DC this would be a viable option. Else where and then I am looking into another mode of transportation.