[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com

I drove home to Boston for many years , I always enjoyed the ride and did in 2 days always on the weekends.I never saw the reason for the train , because the hard part is after you get off the train .Having said all that I realize I was just wasting my time driving and then having the car just sit all summer . I have so little need of a car that Uber is sufficient and a rental for those few days when I want to go to the New Hampshire mountains

So do you fly or take regular Amtrak?

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

So do you fly or take regular Amtrak?

I fly

[Caymus]

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com

I drove home to Boston for many years , I always enjoyed the ride and did in 2 days always on the weekends.I never saw the reason for the train , because the hard part is after you get off the train .Having said all that I realize I was just wasting my time driving and then having the car just sit all summer . I have so little need of a car that Uber is sufficient and a rental for those few days when I want to go to the New Hampshire mountains

Boston isn't car friendly. I remember reading how Rep Steve Lynch rides a bicycle from his parking spot to his house.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by Caymus

Boston isn't car friendly. I remember reading how Rep Steve Lynch rides a bicycle from his parking spot to his house.

Your correct the last mayor used to tell the story about people who would come up to him in different places and say we loved your city but it was so hard to drive around in and he would say good , we don’t want you to drive ,. You can walk to just about everything or take the subway which is very easy to use ,just orange , green and blue with big maps showing the different routes all over the stations or a bus . Boston is one of the only big cities without a grid , the main streets were built on the way the horses carried loads up from the harbor. The whole Freedom Trail can be down while walking in a tour or by yourself , the beaches are accessible by public transportation and we also now have a gorgeous casino and sports betting , come visit us sometime just don’t drive your car . I also ride my bike around city

[NoMoSno]

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com

Your correct the last mayor used to tell the story about people who would come up to him in different places and say we loved your city but it was so hard to drive around in and he would say good , we don’t want you to drive ,. You can walk to just about everything or take the subway which is very easy to use ,just orange , green and blue with big maps showing the different routes all over the stations or a bus . Boston is one of the only big cities without a grid , the main streets were built on the way the horses carried loads up from the harbor. The whole Freedom Trail can be down while walking in a tour or by yourself , the beaches are accessible by public transportation and we also now have a gorgeous casino and sports betting , come visit us sometime just don’t drive your car . I also ride my bike around city

Have they eliminated the "red" line?
I remember when they had Sunday "dime time"...10 cents a ride.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by NoMoSno

Have they eliminated the "red" line?
I remember when they had Sunday "dime time"...10 cents a ride.

yes my bad ,I don’t use it very often and sometimes I forget things at 84 lol

[UpNorth]

Originally Posted by JoMar

Might want to research that a bit more before making that "stupid" statement.

It is just plain stupid no matter what.

[Laurel Maryland]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

I would like to hear from anyone that has taken the autotrain in the last year or so. We used it several times between 10 and 12 years ago, and as I understand some things have changed.
Specifically:
Do they still supply pillows and blankets?
Do they still have a breakfast?
What is the procedure for getting seats, are they assigned when you arrive at the station?
Any other items we should know about?
Thank you, VT

Amtrak used to provide dinner to everyone on the Autotrain, but that changed about 3-4 years ago. Currently, Amtrak only provides dinner to passengers who book a room. The meals are pretty good (better than some restaurants I've eaten at here in The Villages). There are no dinners for passengers who travel coach. As for the ability for coach passengers to purchase food while on Amtrak: the food you can purchase during the trip is mostly junk food-stuff like hotdogs, chips, soda. It is not the same meal as that served to other passengers who booked a room. If you travel coach, pack your own meal of something you like to eat. As for pillows and blankets: these are provided to passengers who book a room. I have not seen them provided to passengers traveling coach. A few more tips: (1) when you book your trip, ask for seating/room near the front of the train. The rear cars of any train have more sway than the cars located in the front of the train close to the locomotive and therefore the cars near the rear of any train will give you a rougher ride. (2) Consider getting an Amtrak MasterCard. They give points which can be redeemed for free Amtrak travel. I've earned several free trips on the Autotrain just buying groceries, clothing, gas, and paying household bills-every day costs of living. Of course, like with any credit card, you have to pay your bill in full each month to avoid the high interest rates and get your points/travel for "free".

[dhdallas]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

I would like to hear from anyone that has taken the autotrain in the last year or so. We used it several times between 10 and 12 years ago, and as I understand some things have changed.
Specifically:
Do they still supply pillows and blankets?
Do they still have a breakfast?
What is the procedure for getting seats, are they assigned when you arrive at the station?
Any other items we should know about?
Thank you, VT

NPR states that there is an average of 3 train derailments per day so I would be more concerned about that then whether you got a pillow or not. Just make sure your car and life insurance is valid before you go.

[nancyre]

Many things changed in the past few years. Coach no longer includes meals but there is a place to buy food "cafe"
Pillows and blankets are supplied in the rooms
Do they still have a breakfast? Contintial Breakfast - Egg sandwich (yuk), cereal/Milk, Coffee, OJ
What is the procedure for getting seats, are they assigned when you arrive at the station? Rooms are assigned at booking
Any other items we should know about?
You better be steady on your feet - stairs are tight and steep. The ride is rough. Departs at 5 pm and is scheduled to arrive about 10. It is often Late, once it was early. The trip can be delayed for freight trains on the line as they have priority. Advantage: removes about 2/3 of my drive. Coach seats as low as $100. Flying is cheaper and faster - but car rental is $$$. As a solo driver I cannot drive 3 days anymore safely. Top bunk is hard to climb into. Bedrooms include private toilet (yeah) but pricey.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com

Your correct the last mayor used to tell the story about people who would come up to him in different places and say we loved your city but it was so hard to drive around in and he would say good , we don’t want you to drive ,. You can walk to just about everything or take the subway which is very easy to use ,just orange , green and blue with big maps showing the different routes all over the stations or a bus . Boston is one of the only big cities without a grid , the main streets were built on the way the horses carried loads up from the harbor. The whole Freedom Trail can be down while walking in a tour or by yourself , the beaches are accessible by public transportation and we also now have a gorgeous casino and sports betting , come visit us sometime just don’t drive your car . I also ride my bike around city

After reading that, I have to ask .... have you actually ever been to Boston?

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Excuse me but what are you talking about, i based my post on tourist where everything they want to see is within walking distance or public transportation , they can get to beaches Carson beach , m street beach, Constitution Beach and a short bus ride to Revere Beach in Revere the first public beach in America .The casino is in Everett but most people wouldn’t know the difference because it sits on border of Boston , so maybe your just one of those people who has to be in his car to go down the corner store ,for myself I’ll keep walking

[villagetinker]

Moderator, you can close this thread as my initial questions have been answered and it is going in other directions.