Taking the Senic Route 2019

Taking The Scenic Route

I haven’t seen my mom in over a year and I missed her so much.  With my mom stranded in NY for the past 6 months so that she can see her grandkids, then longer at 8 months because of her injury, scheduling a visit when she returned was hard.   We were originally scheduled for December and now moved to February.  With that said, the days and seconds leading up to seeing my mom, couldn’t come faster.

Since I live in Tampa, only 4 hours away from Delray Beach where mom is, I wanted to try the train to see if it was more convenient and cost-effective.

Amtrak (aka National Railroad Passenger Corporation) has been a passenger railroad service since 1971, that provides medium- and long-distance intercity service in the contiguous United States and to nine Canadian cities. I have been taking the train since I was little, however, my last trip on the train was the Autotrain which only runs from Virginia to Sanford, Florida.  I remember the train being very pleasurable, meeting new people, and relaxing.  

So this time, I decided to take the Silver Service Train 91 to see mom in Delray Beach.  Think of it this way, yes, you can drive, but you have several expenses, tolls, gas, and mileage on the car.  With the train, you can relax, sleep, do work, etc.  In addition, the cost comparison of driving as opposed to taking the train…. Priceless!  It would cost you around $130 one way and you can’t really enjoy the scenery or do any work.  The train only cost $68 round trip, you can even meet new people and make new friends!  You don’t have to be sitting in a car for 4 hours and/or be stuck in traffic for a lengthy period of time either.  The trains have spacious seating where the seats recline, has a pull-down tray to do your computer work or eat on, they have outlets at your seat or in the café cabin to do the charging of your electronics, and have a Café cart with seating!  BONUS!!

Here are some great pictures of the train:

        

  

Moving right along, I am now packed and at the Tampa Train Station waiting to board.  The train was about 30 minutes late, but the time seemed to go by so fast because I was too excited to see my mom.  The staff were very cordial and helped with people’s luggage on the train. Amtrak’s policy is that if you have luggage and going a longer distance than Delray Beach, it would get weighed just like getting on an airplane.  However, I was lucky as I brought the big bag and it didn’t matter what it weighted! SCORE!  (I had a lot of stuff to bring to mom).  

Now on the train on my way to see mom, I did some exploring.  I wanted to know what was on this train and the accommodations they had, especially if it was going to be a long trip for some people.  Keep in mind that this train 91 goes from Tampa to NY!  This is NOT the auto train from Virginia to Sanford, FL.  They don’t have the auto train for this kind of trip.  However, they do have sleeper cabins and not too shabby.  Very roomy, but I would not be doing the bunk bed.  LOL.

Anyway, onward we go!  The ride from Tampa to Delray Beach was great and smooth.  Now we are back on the train now going from Delray Beach to Tampa.

The train was on time and of course, easy on.  Tried to take a picture with the Train Conductor Elise, but she would not do it. Then Franklin helped me with my bags on board and got to meet three nice ladies.  Helped them get acclimated as this was their first time on the train and then I went right to the café cabin to relax and do some work.  Got to love the free Wifi!

As we arrive in Tampa, the train had to back in.  I guess it is much easier when they leave than doing it the other way around.  It wasn’t too late that the train arrived in Tampa and honestly, I have a great experience.  Really good trip.  I would definitely suggest it to anyone to take the train on a small trip.

March 10, 2019

UPDATE: Guess what?  Yep…back on the train again.  Mom is really not doing too well so I had to take an emergency trip to Delray Beach.  However, this time there were a lot more people going and too many groups of people where they love to save seats!  Hey, I get that you don’t want to sit near a stranger but there are limited seats on the train when it is fully booked.  So waiting for the conductor for over 45 minutes, I decided to go down to the café to get some work done.

Seriously?  Does it look like I took a lot of room?

As soon as I get to the café, I start to set up my little office.  Of course, leaving room for other people to sit and eat, this rude, nasty Amtrak employee decides to “school” me that this café is a community seating café. I told her I understand that and I have been traveling on a train for a long time and I know what to do.  Then reiterated that I have been doing this for a long time.  She said that she has been doing it for 23 years.  I then told her I have been doing it for 30 and I am sure that this is not my first rodeo.  UCK!! What a rude person!  I got her name Fela the train conductor so that I can file a complaint.  Yep, damn skippy! Some of you may not agree but because I am here to relax and get work done, and of course being considerate to others as you can see, I am not here to get a lecture or a mouth slapping from an employee about me being comfortable at the café to do work.  Funny thing is that there are others on the train who do the exact same thing and she said no word to them! What the hell?

Ok.  Enough rambling.  Time to go back to work and try and concentrate on what matters, my clients!  Ok, now that is not going to work because the internet/wi-fi doesn’t work.  Geez! You have got to be kidding me?

Well, another 2 ½ hours until we get to Delray Beach.  Keep you posted for the train ride home!

March 13, 2019

Back on the train home and loving this ride!  Jose, the café attendant, and all the train conductors and staff were great!  So nice, great to talk to and very down to earth.  They always say that sometimes your rides on the train won’t be that great but it makes up for the one memorable time.  I have actually come to enjoy taking the train, having “me” time, relaxing, working for my clients and getting to talk to others.  You also get to enjoy the scenic route and look around you.  A car, you can’t take your eyes off the road, gas is expensive along with traffic!  On the train, you relax, talk to people, sleep, work, etc.  Bonus!

I would definitely suggest a train ride on Amtrak for my clients.

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