The Magic of Amtrak

I never set foot on a plane until I was 19 years old. The year 2001 to be exact. In these times where people are only concerned with the fastest option, there aren't many who can say that. But my mother doesn't fly. So when the family took our twice yearly trip to New York, my sister and I were exposed to a method of travel far older than jet planes- the train.

Trains have always held a magic for me. Even now, when I hear a train whistle I have to raise my head and be silent for a moment or two to better appreciate it. Aside from the familiarity, I think they provide a sense of comfort and leisure that no plane ever will. There's quite a list of things about a train that appeal to me, as well as the many others who share my love and fascination. There's actually room to move, the staff offers real food to eat, and along the way there are real sights to see. None of those can be experienced on an airplane. And the people! They may be my favorite part. During the course of a trip, you have the opportunity to meet multitudes of people from just abut any where. On my last trip, I was briefly seated next to a woman from Amsterdam. (A woman who boarded the train in Laurel, MS of all places!) All of this is in addition to the old-fashioned romanticism that a train ride evokes. That feeling is one that simply can't be duplicated anywhere else.

Granted, the train in not for everyone. There is not the constant barrage of electronic entertainment that we have all become used to. That fact alone makes a lot of people wary of a trip that can exceed 24 hours, depending on your destination. However, there are outlets all throughout the train for laptops or portable DVD players, so modern technology is not held completely at bay. Still, those who can't sit back, relax, and entertain themselves to some degree might not enjoy the trip. The heart of a train ride is about the people, and the experience. It's one of the last places in this day and age where everyone speaks to everyone, and sometimes lasting friends are made.

The Amtrak line I'm familiar with is the Crescent, which runs from New Orleans to New York, with numerous stops along the way, but Amtrak offers destinations and express trains all over the country. You can travel by coach, or private sleeper cars. The price of a sleeper includes all meals. For more information, routes, or ticket prices, visit Amtack.com. Those who already are train lovers can join the National Association of Railroad Passengers, a group that celebrates train travel and advocates the continued use of rail transit. Individual memberships are only $35 per year. For more information about this group, or to join, visit narprail.org.

Traveling by rail encompasses a different state of mind. Train riders understand the absolute truth behind one familiar saying- life isn't about the destination, it's about the journey. Allow the journey to take you down some old tracks. Make this the year you travel by train, and see how your life can be enriched by the experience.