Train Tales
Information and inspiration for people who love train travel !
FROM OUR READERS
New York By Rail loves to receive photos that Amtrak passengers snap along their travels ! These make us want to get back on the train soon :
TRAVELER TIPS
We went to Facebook in search of train travel tips from frequent riders ! There , we joined several Amtrak fan groups , where the conversations focus on advice and adventure . We asked , and our new friends answered !
Onboard Comfort and Entertainment “ I always bring snacks , water , a good book , and earplugs . If I ' m feeling social I ' ll bring cards or a board game to share in the cafe car .”
— Valerie R ., Mt . Vernon , WA
“ I always bring my chargers , GPS , ear buds , extra batteries for my mouse , small snacks for between meals when I don ' t feel like going to the lounge car , and a few movies for after dark . I can ' t read on a train .”
— Ed W ., Boyertown , PA
“ I ship my luggage ahead of time via UPS . It doesn ’ t save money , but it is nice not having to lug any luggage around at all .”
— Guy P ., Smyrna , TN
What to do near Amtrak stations “ If faced with a layover at Buffalo-Depew ( e . g ., transferring from the Maple Leaf to Lake Shore Limited ): A ) Get your picture taken with the buffalo out front ; and B ) Walk or taxi to the Walden Galleria . It ’ s a nice mall with a movie theater . Also , en route is the Niagara Hobby & Craft Mart with a large selection of trains and displays .”
— Daniel L ., Little Rock , AR
The Best Views ! “ When I take one of the Empire Service trains , I usually get on at Syracuse and wait for the conductor to tag my ticket . I head for the cafe car and sit on the right hand side eastbound ; left hand side west bound . There ' s nothing like a cold beverage and the beautiful Mohawk and Hudson Valleys to view . Just fascinating .”
— Drew G ., Odessa , NY
“ Best place for a good view of Niagara Falls on the Maple Leaf is on the left side when crossing over the Niagara River from the U . S . side to the Canadian side .” — Joseph S ., Niagara Falls , NY
“ The ride from Albany to New York ’ s Penn Station is quite the treat ! Sitting on the right side of the train is best for Hudson views . The lighthouses , the grand old estates , the castle ruins , West Point … and the sunsets ! Oh , and one of the most important reasons my family likes to travel from ALB-NYP … it ’ s RANGERTOWN !”
— Lisa A ., Granville , NY
Tell us your Amtrak travel tip ! Send an email to editor @ newyorkbyrail . com .
“ My husband is a train enthusiast . We purchased a USA rail pass and were touring upstate New York . I wanted to see Niagara Falls because I haven ’ t been there since I was three ( I am 61 ). I spotted this rainbow close to Syracuse after a brief rain storm .”
— Carol Ann Aldinger
“ I was on the train leaving from Albany-Rensselaer to Penn Station when I came upon this breathtaking view of the bridge which had me fumbling for my phone . I was determined to capture a glimpse of it , even as the train passed under the bridge . I remember saying to myself , ‘ Oh , I am going to miss it ,’ but I just kept on shooting . And boy , am I happy with the result .”
MaryEllen Staten
— Aline Cassinera
“ I am currently on a trip in Niagara Falls with family , and this is our first trip on a train and to the Falls . What a beautiful trip by rail ; can ’ t wait to experience more .”
— MaryEllen Staten
“ I took this shot of Amtrak 704 at the Poughkeepsie Station last night .”
— Chris Jones
Got a great shot to share ? Send your train travel photos to editor @ newyorkbyrail . com , and we may include it in the 2017 issue !
Chris Jones
Carol Ann Aldinger
Aline Cassinera
PHOTOS : ( RANGER RIDE ) LISA ACKERT ; ( CLOUDS ) CAROL ANN ALDINGER ; ( BRIDGE ) ALINE CASSINERA ; ( OLD TRAIN TRACK ) MARYELLEN STATEN ; ( TRAIN ) CHRIS JONES
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