All over the world, we travel on trains. Generally speaking, we find trains relaxing, efficient and easy to navigate. In fact, I am an advocate for expanding train services. They provide valuable public transport and reduce car and air traffic pollution. Safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly transportation should be a national priority in my book.

Having said that, it had been years since I had actually taken a passenger train in the USA. This is partially because there aren’t many trains running where I live, and also because public transportation isn’t great in the cities I could easily get to. But recently, our youngest child moved to Chicago, giving us an accessible destination as well as a good excuse to travel. (Like we need one.)

Our trip got off to a slightly rocky start. The long term Amtrak parking had easy entry and was securely gated. As we exited to catch the train, we realized the ticket machine that dispensed cards to allow return into the lot was broken. I’m still not sure how we will get in to retrieve our car. Hopefully we can get help. We will solve that problem on the return. Travel is always an adventure.

The St.Louis station is old, small, clean, and has limited seating. Unlike every train station I have ever been in, there is no board informing passengers of train schedules and status. We encountered foreign tourists who were struggling to understand and were looking for a standard information board. They were also surprised at the lack of information. I tried to use google to track our train. My ticket had a train number, but google only listed trains by name. Turns out we were on the Lincoln Service, but that was not obvious. My husband had some luck on the Amtrak site.

To make it even more chaotic, a train scheduled ahead of hours was delayed by 7 hours and those passengers filled the small waiting area. The delayed train was also heading to Chicago. It had been in an accident and wasn’t ready to board. Our train was also delayed by one hour, due to freight train traffic; however we left the station first. It was hard to walk past people also trying to get to Chicago, knowing they had been waiting hours.

The Kansas City train arrived about the time we were ready to board. Lines were a bit chaotic. Passengers were frustrated without clear direction and no information boards. The announcements were hard to hear and workers were clearly concerned about making sure passengers arrived on the correct train. Apparently, St. Louis station is used to only one train at a time. Three in station simultaneously almost short circuited the entire operation. Our train was called by number, but we were not told a platform number. We followed the herd and hoped for the best. (Did I mention that a standard schedule board could have prevented to entire debacle?)

Although there were escalators coming up into the station, the only way down to the platform was by the stairs. I have to imagine there was an elevator somewhere, but people struggled to lug their bags downward to the train. I was glad I only carried a small backpack.

Once on the platform, the Conductors separated us into cars based on final destination. Within minutes we were pulling away from the station. Once on board, I was pleasantly surprised. The cars were clean, spacious and comfortable. The seats were very large, and we even had a good size table. Each seat had power outlets and the car had free WiFi. It was a perfect set up for commuters, with usable work space.

Large windows let me watch the world go by in comfort. The experience was lovely, like a fun road trip in which someone else did the driving. I could stand when I wanted, and even take a stroll. The bathrooms at the end of each car were large and clean. There was even a snack bar with drinks, candy, sandwiches, fruit, and even cheese trays.

Compared the cost of airfare or even gasoline, the fare was a bargain. America trains are definitely more expensive than similar trips elsewhere in the world, but still a good value. The trains were late, which rarely happens in Europe, and unfortunately seems to be common in the USA. The significantly delayed train had hit a car that tried to beat it at a closed crossing (not Amtrak’s fault). Our train was delayed when a freight train was given track priority. American needs tracks dedicated to high speed passenger trains. As long as trains must share dual purpose tracks you should expect some delays. Our country, like other modern nations, should prioritize and invest in high quality public transport (just as they invested in interstate highways in the last century).

My verdict? Despite the challenges, I will definitely be riding again. The hassles were significantly less than navigating an airport. The lack of clear signage was annoying should have been an easy fix, however Amtrak employees did a decent job trying to compensate via general announcements. The boarding process was smooth and the conductors were friendly. The cars were immaculate. The seats were spacious (gigantic when compared to an airline seat). And ….there is something romantic about watching the world go by from a train window. Affordable, available train travel an American travel goal.