DO THE LOCOMOTION
Take the express route on America's coolest trains.
Spring is taking over, and it’s no surprise the urge to daytrip grows strong with every outdoor step. But it’s tough to make a great escape without a car or yacht (oh Paris, how easy you have it…), unless you’re near a railroad.
Trains cut traffic, pollution, and travel time, yet most of America doesn’t have easy access to them. So President Obama announced a plan this week to create a national railway. Modeled after the systems in Britain, Japan, and Germany, the new trains would eventually connect the country in a classic yet modern way. "High-speed rail is long overdue,” says Obama, “And this plan lets American travelers know that they are not doomed to a future of long lines at the airports or jammed cars on the highways. There’s no reason why we can't do this."
To see what the future of that plan might feel like, we explored five fun train trips you can already take in America, which almost make up for the no-yacht situation…
--FARAN KRENTCIL
The Vermonster
This Amtrak train starts in Washington DC and heads all the way to St. Albans, Vermont. Along the way, you’ll see the mountains of Western Massachusetts, the coastline of Connecticut, and maybe a few moose.
$60 - $103, depending on departure city
The Coastal Starlight
Get on in Seattle, get off at Los Angeles, and hug the Pacific Coastline from your window for almost the entire way. Don’t forget your surfboard.
$192 - $99, depending on departure city
The Powell Mason Line
Go across San Francisco in a historic (but still speedy) Cable Car. The Powell Mason line takes you down San Fran’s famous Bay Street and through Nob Hill, which – supposedly – is where Full House took place. Aww, baby MK.
$3 per ride, or less if you buy a weekly / monthly pass.
The Monorail at Disney World
Yeah, you read correctly, the Monorail at Disney World. Where else can you travel seamlessly from Space Mountain to Epcot Center, and maybe sit next to Daisy Duck? Plus, it may be in cheesy Cindarella-land, but the technology behind monorails – first built in 1979 – is amazing.
Free with Park Admission.
http://www.disneyworld.com
The L Train
Attention, budding Sartorialists: this NYC subway route, which goes from 8th Avenue in Manhattan to Bed Stuy in Brooklyn, is crammed with street style inspiration, mostly from the young Williamsburg crowd that takes it to work every day. Bonus: about 35% of our office does, too!
$2 per ride, or less if you buy a weekly or monthly pass.
Trains cut traffic, pollution, and travel time, yet most of America doesn’t have easy access to them. So President Obama announced a plan this week to create a national railway. Modeled after the systems in Britain, Japan, and Germany, the new trains would eventually connect the country in a classic yet modern way. "High-speed rail is long overdue,” says Obama, “And this plan lets American travelers know that they are not doomed to a future of long lines at the airports or jammed cars on the highways. There’s no reason why we can't do this."
To see what the future of that plan might feel like, we explored five fun train trips you can already take in America, which almost make up for the no-yacht situation…
--FARAN KRENTCIL
The Vermonster
This Amtrak train starts in Washington DC and heads all the way to St. Albans, Vermont. Along the way, you’ll see the mountains of Western Massachusetts, the coastline of Connecticut, and maybe a few moose.
$60 - $103, depending on departure city
The Coastal Starlight
Get on in Seattle, get off at Los Angeles, and hug the Pacific Coastline from your window for almost the entire way. Don’t forget your surfboard.
$192 - $99, depending on departure city
The Powell Mason Line
Go across San Francisco in a historic (but still speedy) Cable Car. The Powell Mason line takes you down San Fran’s famous Bay Street and through Nob Hill, which – supposedly – is where Full House took place. Aww, baby MK.
$3 per ride, or less if you buy a weekly / monthly pass.
The Monorail at Disney World
Yeah, you read correctly, the Monorail at Disney World. Where else can you travel seamlessly from Space Mountain to Epcot Center, and maybe sit next to Daisy Duck? Plus, it may be in cheesy Cindarella-land, but the technology behind monorails – first built in 1979 – is amazing.
Free with Park Admission.
http://www.disneyworld.com
The L Train
Attention, budding Sartorialists: this NYC subway route, which goes from 8th Avenue in Manhattan to Bed Stuy in Brooklyn, is crammed with street style inspiration, mostly from the young Williamsburg crowd that takes it to work every day. Bonus: about 35% of our office does, too!
$2 per ride, or less if you buy a weekly or monthly pass.
This story was published on April 17, 2009.
CONTENT RATING:
( 3 )
( 3 )
emily
04/18/2009
interesting story...but what about chicago's El train?
Kt
04/20/2009
I <33 Holga Cameras!! And Dianas..
Kate
05/01/2009
Loved this. I'm an avid rider of the Keystone Amtrak line. You see the best of the Pennsylvania countryside.
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