rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Just before Thanksgiving I traveled by train to San Diego to assist our daughter's return to Indiana {for new employment} as her co-driver. She has a Prius, so space was at a premium; thus the only camera I took with me was my Pentax Q-7 kit. Here are some of the pictures I took during that trip
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I rode the South Shore {last traditional "interurban" train} from South Bend to Chicago, where they share Metra's below ground station in the middle of Grant Park

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I walked across the Loop to Chicago's Union Station {I could have made this a 5 train trip if I'd taken the "L"}, where I boarded Amtrak's "Southwest Chief". This is a view of that train during a stop in Kansas City

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The "Southwest Chief" goes through Raton Tunnel; in fact rail is the only way to access that tunnel, and at the last minute I realized that the back door of the rear car makes a dandy window

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I also used that "window" to photograph this old station, which the Internet tells me is now the post office for this remote town

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Los Angeles Union Station is a massive place; the comment I texted to my family was "they must have made this place when Calif land prices were lower"

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Up on the platform I took time to photograph the "Surfliner" that was going to take me to San Diego; that time may have been costly, because they ran out of seats and I ended up sitting on the floor

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Last train - this trolley took me from the San Diego station to a shopping area within waling distance of our daughter's apartment {but she came for me anyway}

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Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Interesting storytelling series, but what I truly love is the composition and atmosphere of #2: the perspective, the lines of the structure on the right side leading to the passengers, the dark, my curiosity piqued about what their destinations might be or where they've come from. Really super!

I also like #1 a lot for the sleek angled lines and all that silver. It's quite an engaging architectural study.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Thank you for your comments. That picture, in particular, made me nervous because it has the elements that make a small-sensor camera like the Q-7 {or your SX-50} struggle - darkness and lots of dynamic range in the original.

tbell7D Loc: Houston

A most interesting set of photos, especially for an old rail fan like myself. Last time I traveled by train to actually get from Point A to Point B was decades ago when I journeyed from southwest Missouri to northeast Indiana to start college. Since then have never used Amtrak, only tourist RR's. What was your opinion of your Amtrak experience? Thanks in advance.

oldpsych Loc: Indianapolis

I, too, liked #2 the best. Nice set.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Thank you for your comments.

Decades ago, passenger train travel was very uneven in quality. Trains like the Zephyrs and Chiefs could be quite luxurious, others not so much. Amtrak doesn't match the luxury of what was at one time, but they seem to provide an even level of service (*). With the possible exception of a few old dining cars, all their equipment is relatively modern. They keep it clean and repaired. The coaches have plenty of leg-room, and most every train seems to have a lounge car you can wander down to if you get tired of your seat (**). I enjoy it much more than flying. When we lived in Massachusetts, my wife and I would get a sleeping compartment on the overnight Mass-to-SB train because she hates to fly with me; on this occasion, I had the time, so I essentially made the same decision, but no sleeping compartments were available by the time we finalized her moving plans.

(*) When we lived in Massachusetts 2006-13, I took Amtrak to/from South Bend at least once every year, so in some sense I've now ridden coast-to-coast .... with a several year layover in South Bend.

(**) My one gripe with Amtrak is that they allow the conductor to decide seating. Because of my age {I was 68}, I was in the first group to board, but I was stuck in an aisle seat anyway.

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Very interesting story and pictures, rehess!

tbell7D Loc: Houston

Thank you very much for that info. I appreciate it.