[Gathnet] Train ride

[Stuart Gathman]

Taking the train was a good call.  Everything about commercial airlines
is rushed and stressful.  The train was relaxed, refreshing, and
interesting.  The trains run on 400 volts current (DC I think).  There
are outlets for 120V AC at every seat, and in the kitchens and
bathrooms.  From Boston to DC, there are overhead power lines that the
train uses.  South of NoVa, the overhead electric ends, and they start
up deisel generators.  The tracks get rougher the farther south you
go, and the train has to slow down.  It is 12 hours to Jacksonville from
DC, and another 11 hours to Miami.  This is because sink holes can open
up between track inspections, and the train needs to go slow enough to
stop before reaching one (they watch for them carefully).  

There was a hard working man in the lounge with his cell phone and
files, making arrangements for work to be done Monday.  He got
increasing frustrated, with phone messages he couldn't understand,
people not telling him essential details, etc.  He kept buying liquor.
After a while, his eyes started crossing.  Then he got mad at the
conductor (asking to see his ticket again - they do with every change
of personel, and asking him not to curse so loudly for the sake of the
other passengers; the well bred southern ladies were cringing).  So he
hit the conductor and got out a knife.  He was very well muscled, but
uncoordinated enough that two railroad men were able to tie his hands
behind his back.  So we shunted to a side track to avoid delaying other
trains while the police came, took witness statements, and took the man
away.  Lots of people were recording the alteration, and the railroad
had nothing to be ashamed of.  The police filled out their report
professionally, and showed no undue violence while we were watching.
(Note that police can't protect you - only fill out a report after the
incident, although such reports are important and necessary.)

The complimentary blanket policy ended Aug 1, 2013.  Now they are $15
souvenier blankets.  Next time I'll bring a sweater.  At the station
stops, the outside air was warm and balmy, but as usual, the A/C is an
overachiever.  I had a long sleeve shirt which I used for a blanket
(it is warmer that way).  A folded menu over my face helped with the
lights, and of course I always carry ear plugs.

For breakfast, I had onion and pepper omelette on whole wheat biscuit
(a southern nod to healthier eating), with roasted potatoes - to which
I added an apple and green tea from home.  For lunch I had blue cheese
walnut and apple romaine salad with iced tea.  For dinner, Tim is going
to pick me up from the station (although there is a Tri-rail to the
airport, and a shuttle from the airport to the hotel).

I ate breakfast in the dining car, and they assign tables randomly,
like a high school ice breaker - this was perfect for me.  I sat with a
black grandmother named Pat, who works at a hospital (they are begging
her not to retire), we blessed the meal together and discussed probate
issues and how to explain sin to a modern audience.

Amtrak offers complimentary Wifi on selected routes, but on on this
one.  However, I bought a T-Mobile Wifi hotspot which performed quite
well (lost coverage in a few rural areas, but most of the track was
covered).