Cross-country train to the playa?

Indigenous Alien · Post by **Indigenous Alien** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:30 pm

Hi there - thinking of travelling by train as lower-cost alternative from Toronto to Reno, then flying home via Buffalo.

Any East Coast burners have any experience or feedback on this idea? It is a two-three-day train ride, with some layovers in Detroit, Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City. Would be arriving on Sun August 24 (night) and staying overnight in a hotel in Reno for one last good sleep before the burn. stay a few extra days after the burn, avoid exodus, maybe volunteer at Center Camp for clean-up, fly home.

Thoughts?

Post by **mdmf007** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:13 pm

That sounds like a fine plan and a great adventure. Get to see lots of the west.

Not sure if its any cheaper though, but thats just a guress

thirt33n · Post by **thirt33n** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 1:29 am

howdy

amtrak? hmm. the old train glory is long gone and replaced by stuffy community cars and weak ass snack bars, no party, dining cars that have waitstaff that rush you through meals and its generally a let down.

my advice is save your precious time and spend the extra hundred or two bucks and fly.

...i don't care how you get there, just...
get there if you can

JezebelinHell · Post by **JezebelinHell** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:01 am

Wow, I totally thought that you were going to ask about training for a long distance marathon on the playa. I was going to advise against it, but I suppose taking a train isn't a bad idea.

Token · Post by **Token** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:55 am

Wow, three days extra travel in order to save $150? I wouldn't do this, not without a sleeper car and if you get one of those the train will cost way more.

Sleeping in a chair for two nights ... ugh, my poor back and legs hurt just from the thought.

Maybe I'm getting old...

T

thirt33n · Post by **thirt33n** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:05 am

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gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:37 am

Some trains still offer luxuries.
There may be big advantages in taking luggage now.
Airlines have decided luggage is an extra.

Check routes carefully.
Sometimes the best route isn't the one they offer to you.

A much more pleasant way to travel, but I can never find a route that works for me.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:22 am

Yeah, Amtrak is pretty spotty coverage, although it does go through Reno. Be sure to have extra time, if you go this route. Amtrak rents the tracks in the west, and while they are supposed to have priority over the freights, the truth is you can sit for five hours on a siding waiting for a freight to pass. That can wreak havoc with schedules.