Took my first Amtrak trip in over 40 years today! I've been wanting to try out the daily service between DC and Vermont since I moved to New Hampshire but the train wasn't running for more than a year. Recently, I found out I had a work meeting in DC this week - it seemed like a good time to use the train. Armed with Intel from Mollie (who is now an "old pro" at riding the train), I made arrangements for my journey south... This morning, I got up early and teleworked. I ate and early lunch at home before leaving my condo (1115) and driving to the train station in White River Junction. After waiting about 15 minutes for the train's arrival, I got notified (email and text) that my ride was going to be departing about 45 minute late because a train bridge had been struck by a truck and required an inspection. Since it was intermittently raining, I waited in the station for part of the delay. However, there was an annoying woman ("I'm from NYC") in there who was talking with the Amtrak staff, telling them all about how surprised she was that Dartmouth College was so sophisticated and modern. After stomaching as much as I could of her opinions, I decided to go outside (in the rain) to wait for the train... Eventually, I boarded the southbound “Vermonter” (Amtrak #55) at White River Junction just after 1200. Because of my seat choice, I was able to a lot of pretty scenery (on the Connecticut River side) as we traveled - this was a much different experience than on the Interstate! The train wasn't very full so I was able to avoid sitting in the same car with the New Yorker (who kept talking to anyone who would listen and bothered the Amtrak staff for free upgrades). Fortunately, I was easily able to get set up for a few more hours of telework (using the Amtrak WiFi) and was able to watch our train's progress on a map. After switching tracks in Springfield (MA), switching engines in New Haven (CT) and switching crews (NYC), the train picked up a lot of speed (100+ mph) and made fewer stops south of NYC. I did a lot of reading (several months' worth of magazines and online books) and watched a movie. I bought some lunch in the "dining car" (1500) and it was pretty good. As more and more people boarded the train, I realized that there was a lot of spare room in the "quiet car" so I moved my seat to that part of the train, Meanwhile, the delay never really got better than 30 minutes behind schedule and I started to wonder if I'd be able to use the Metro when I arrived... We finally got into Union Station at around 2245 and I had to rush to get on a Red Line train, which came shortly after I reached the platform. Unfortunately, I then determined that I was about five minutes behind the best-case schedule because the Orange/Blue/Silver lines were only operating every 30 minutes and I'd missed the closest one. At Metro Center, I got on a Blue line and, with that, was able to make it to Rosslyn. From there, I was able to take a Silver line train to East Falls Church. Meanwhile, I was able to convince Erin that we could save almost 30 minutes of time if she got me there (rather than wait until the next Orange train came) so she met me at close to 2315. She then drove me to her apartment and we were inside (getting ready for bed) by 2345 (just as the Orange train was arriving in Vienna). Erin gave me a tour of her place and we talked for a little while before I actually went to bed (0015) - I was VERY tired... It’s possibly the long travel day talking (or doubts about my impending transfer to unreliable WMATA) but I’m not certain that this was better than driving. Positives: not a lot of passengers, no traffic to fight, no weather hazards (or road construction) to avoid, good internet service (so I could work onboard), space to relax (including a “quiet car”), a dining car, nice scenery. Negative: Amtrak did not stay on schedule and was slow to update passengers. After waiting for over a year to be able to make my first attempt at this ride, perhaps my expectations exceeded reality. With that in mind, I’ll let the jury decide whether to frequent this mode of transportation after my return trip.
