I have a situation that might take me to SC this week. Grandson in the hospital and probably will be there for a few weeks. Would love to go down and give support to my daughter and family but here is my problem. I can not find any information on traveling by train from the Elmira/Corning, NY Area. I live in upstate PA. I know the cost wouldn't be cheap. Would probably have to leave from Syracuse or Rochester NY. Called the airlines unless you have a credit card for short term flying and the cost is $400 plus, buses take 24 hours (Ugh!!) and around $200 round trip. Rental car I would do. Have done that in the past but with 2 drivers it takes 14 hours so don't think I want to travel myself that far. By the time I stopped and slept etc I might have well used the bus system. My car has over 250,000 miles on it and wouldn't want to risk it. Husband would have to stay because of the goats all beginning to kid this week. This is one draw back with homesteading. When emergencies arrive you have no one to back you up. Can only depend on neighbors and friends to an extent. Don't feel right hauling 9 goats to friends to watch in case they do kid this week. Have no family around us anymore and that is why we are planning on moving to SC next summer. Any one have any ideas that are within a Homesteaders Price Range or information on the trains ?? Thank you !!!

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), March 17, 2002

Answers

Amtrak has a website, We have traveled this way a lot. Right now there is a special going on, 30% off adult fares if you buy the ticket a week ahead of time or something along those lines.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), March 17, 2002.

The website is amrtrak.com. Their phone is 1-800-USA-RAIL, if memory serves me correct. The website has all the schedules, times, and routes. It is a little slow, so just be patient.

I travel by amtrak often, and I personally love it. The sooner you purchase your ticket, the cheaper it will be. The cheapest train ticket is coach, which buys you a seat. Rooms and the like can get very expensive. The nice thing about the train is you can pack your own food. Take a blanket and pillow with you. Also might want to take a book or two....just for something to do.

-- clove (clovis97@Yahoo.com), March 17, 2002.

Also, remember this: SOMETIMES Amtrak uses buses on their short routes or on routes when they cannot normally fill a train. The Amtrak agent or the website can tell you if you ask. Almost all are trains....but sometimes it is a bus....just so you know, ask ahead.

-- clove (clovis97@Yahoo.com), March 17, 2002.

Amtrak is great if you are not in a hurry and don't care if you get there on time.

The longer the trip, the more likely it is to be delayed, and they never cut the breaktime (for maintenance/smokers/shift change, etc.), to make up for time lost. Also, unlike cars, there are no detours for train tracks--freight trains have priority over passenger rail, and if one is stuck in front of your train in the middle of the mountains or wherever, you are SOL (sadly, out of luck). 8 hours late on top of a 24+ hour trip is no fun.

On the plus side, you can get up and walk around on the train, and they sell food most of the day, although it is rather expensive. The seats are a little more comfortable, also.

I would opt for the rental car (save some money by pulling over at the rest stops instead of a hotel) or the bus.

I know that sometimes the airlines (and maybe other transport agengies) will give a discount if you are going back for a funeral and can provide certain info (such as funeral home, etc.). They may do that for hospital emergencies as well, if the condition warrants it (critically ill is one thing, a broken bone--forget it). It never hurts to ask, although be prepared for them to ask for specific info in case they check.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), March 17, 2002.

Hi Helena -

I have used Amtrack to go from Wilmington, DE to Meriden, CT. The cost of the round-trip fare was about 75% of the same trip by plane out of Baltimore to Hartford. The flight takes 1 hour - the train takes 5 hours. This might give you something to compare traveling time with.

If I had my druthers - I'd go by plane rather than train. However, my last 2 trips to CT to visit with my Mom, I have been fortunate to be graciously given my DIL's car to use.

Hope all goes well for your grandson and you have a safe, hassle free trip!

-- dottie - in the E Shore MD (mother-ducker@webtv.net), March 17, 2002.

My folks came out for my son's wedding. They went from san fran calif to KC missouri. Took them 3 1/2 days and cost them about 600.oo more than two airline tickets would have been but my dad will not fly!! Anyway they have done that twice and loved it but had to change and get on two busses at different times to catch another train.

-- Teresa (c3ranch@socket.net), March 17, 2002.

Teresa made a good point as well--you often DO NOT save money going by train vs. the airlines. One thing Helena brought up is that she is not going from one "major market" to another. If she were, she could fly cheaper, and get there faster by air, because of the discounts that are going on all the time.

Helena, any 4-H or FFA people in your area that you could get to help out? Might cost you a little money, but not as much as boarding at a vet, or having a professional pet sitter.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), March 17, 2002.

I have traveled by Amtrak several times and find it more comfortable, but not less expensive than flying. Be prepared to have something to do on board. My experience has been that delays can be numerous and lengthy.

I buy my tickets at a regular travel agency.

-- R. (thor610@yahoo.com), March 18, 2002.

Call a travel agency and get info on prices, schedules and stations. I've found it to be no more expensive to go through the travel agent as to call Amtrack direct. Make sure you ask for special deals!

I love Amtrack! Don't get to use it very often, though; as we ususally drive to wherever we're going. Last trip was out to Western WA - from Chicago took 48 hours. I had a small compartment sleeper for Sis and I, so meals in the dining car were included in the cost of the ticket - and what meals they were! I probably gained 5# on the two day trip!! Full bathrooms with showers were located at the end of the sleeper car; tho larger sleeping rooms have sinks and toilets in the room. Also, with the sleeper came the VIP lounge privledges at the stations. It would have been considerably cheaper to go coach class, but I like privacy, peace and quiet.

One thing to remember when traveling by train is that you will probably be toting your own baggage - at the Chicago station, that was quite a distance. Definately use a suitcase with rollers or get one of those folding carts. You may be separated from your larger luggage while on the train, so make sure it locks, as it will probably be in an unsecured area. In coach, you will have room for a small duffle above and below your seat - I'm short and had difficulty reaching the overhead bins, so I learned to keep the stuff I would need (books, snacks, personal care items) in the under seat bag.

There are smokers/lounge cars with TVs. Unfortunately, the last time I rode the train, the observation cars with the dome roofs were the smokers and I couldn't take the air in there. Snacks are expensive on board, so take your own lightweight/small size ones.

I love to read, so I had no problems with boredom between my books and the scenery outside the windows. Sis is also a reader, but was lucky enough to find another kid her age and the porter had some board games, along with the travel size ones we had brought along. If you eat in the dining car, plan to make conversation with your booth mate, as you will have to share a table for 4.

If you travel coach, wear comfortable clothing and take along a small pillow and lightweight blanket. Layered clothing is also good, especially if you will be passing through different climate zones. Take wet wipes with you, and if on a longer trip also take a lightweight towel, washcloth and soap - plus a plastic bag to put it all in when you're done with it.

-- Polly (tigger@moultrie.com), March 18, 2002.

you might try for airline tickets on Priceline.com. I've gotten some real good bargains on there, especially if you're not picky about the time of day. Airlines are still the safest means of transportation.

-- Dave (multiplierx9@hotmail.com), March 18, 2002.

Mr. S. is taking the Coast Starlight (Amtrak) to California this week. RT from Seattle to Napa (or to a N. California location plus the bus to Napa) is $137. He will get there in ~24 hours. Air fair from Seattle to SF, Sacramento, or other Bay Area airports is maybe, at best, $30 cheaper ONE-WAY. By the time he drives to SeaTac airport in serious traffic (at least 2 hours), waits in a security line for at least 2 hours, flies to Sacramento (2-hours), waits for a rental car (another $100 plus and minimum 1 hour), and drives to Napa Valley (2 hours) , it's nearly equal (factoring time and money together...flying is at least 9 hours and $200, plus the car, plus the hassle). With Amtrak he can ride the train, read, walk around, sleep, and enjoy the scenery (plus pretend he's Jack Kerouac reincarnated or something).

I like trains. Wish we (as a nation) supported them a bit more. Nice way to travel.

-- sheepish (the_original_sheepish@hotmail.com), March 18, 2002.

You mite have 2 take a bus to NYC!! Than a train south im not sure where ur going in Sc!! I know the amtrac goes to Florance Sc Not sure where else!!

-- Grizz in Western Maryland (southerneagle@yahoo.com), March 20, 2002.

I love travelling by train, even tho we did sometimes arrive later than we were supposed to. It's more of a family atmosphere than the plane. You can move around & talk to more people than just your seatmate.

-- Bonnie (stichart@plix.com), March 20, 2002.