A trip taken a few months back before the pandemic struck. A really short travelogue just to share a glimpse of it. Memories haunts as I sit through this lock down.
During our occasional official trips to the US, Once we land in the west coast city of Portland, there is a small stretch that we usually undertake by a shuttle or self drive to reach a little southern city of Albany where our office is located. This time I decided to take the train instead to cover this stretch, just to explore a bit, look at the country side and basically just to experience an American Train Journey.
I love trains and immensely fond of train journeys, just like most of us. You can rant for the life time about the sub standard Indian train system, but the memories that it offers surpasses all its downsides. Barring the low quality food and toilet, a train journey along the country side is always a bliss. There really is something nostalgic and romantic about train travel.
You can peek into a stranger’s life, exchange stories with them, share their food or just be a silent observer which I mostly am. Taking the train is about letting go. It’s smooth, it’s free, and the route is set. That’s a huge contrast to a road trip, where you’re paying attention to your driving, ensuring the safety of yours as well your passengers, make sure the gas doesn’t run out, staying alert in traffic and rains and so on..
Alright, back to the topic - Tell your American friends that you plan to take a train, and their reactions will range from amusement to surprise. “Well, if you like Indian trains, you will certainly like ours”, says my American friend when I told about my plan to him prior to the trip. He said go ahead, It can't go wrong. And that gave me a boost.
The United States is the single most car-oriented country. As a result, long-distance or even short distance train travel isn’t nearly as common in America as it is in other regions of the world.
The trip:
Landed at Portland and spent a night there. The next day morning headed to the railways station –
Portland Union Station. It was just a short drive to the station from the hotel where I was put up. The tickets were pre- booked online.
The railway station welcomes you with signs that read "Go by Train" on one side and "Union Station" on the other side:
The signature piece of the structure is the 150 ft clock tower. The charm factor of train stations far outshines any airport:
Embellished with designs in fancy terracotta and molded brick, historic Portland Union Station is a regional landmark known for this sign encouraging travelers to "Go By Train." The station building also contains offices on the upper floors, as well as Restaurant and a Bar on the ground level. Picked up some snacks and refreshments from there.
The entrance:
Interiors:
Amtrak - A little about the train service:
The Amtrak Cascades is a passenger train route operated by Amtrak. It is named after the Cascade mountain range that the route parallels. The Cascades covers a 446-mile (718 km) rail corridor and connects 18 cities in the Pacific Northwest from Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver, British Columbia.
The entrance to the luggage drop counter:
Initially I didn’t knew that the luggage has to be dropped separately like in flights. The bigger ones need to be certainly dropped here and that will be loaded separately into the same train’s luggage compartment and will be pulled out when my station arrives. The gentleman at the counter stroked a nice conversation on my trip and travel. He explained me about the process and was extremely generous to transfer my luggage free of cost. Great gesture. Else I guess there is a small fee for extra larger luggage.
Entry to the platform: This opens up only when closer to the departure time.
Once the train arrived, We were permitted to get on to the platform and head towards boarding. Everything is well guided and there was absolutely nothing that could go wrong.
Do not expect there would be any general compartments like Indian Railways. All are air conditioned coaches which just resembles our trains FC, 2A, 3A classes from outside. Inside story is totally different.
The interiors are class:
The interiors are top notch and luxurious and even the economy class resembles our Rajadhani or Shatabdi classes. Pretty clean, spic and plan. I would even consider these are on par with the Maharaja classes of Indian Railways. And like said, this is the cheapest class in the train.
Hardly any passengers in the train. Just about less than 10 people in that particular coach.
Window view Willamette river in Portland:
There is small café/pantry inside. Got in there to grab some snacks as the train picks up the speed.
The ticket examiner comes over to check-in on the tickets. A polite smile and she is back to her work.
Some window views of the country side:
There were about 3-4 stops en route before the station where I need to get down.
The staff (who was also the ticket examiner) getting ready to open the door as the train pulls over to the station, which I am also de-boarding at.
Got down and you get a small stool to step out as the compartment is at a height from the platform. Such minute details are taken care so you do not face a hassle – Amazing I would say!
Another staff has pulled out my luggage from one of the rear compartment and drives it to me on a small goods cart.
It was such a lovely gesture that he drove all the way to where I stood and handed it over. Remarkable people these are. These little things makes the experience memorable.
Closing shot by posing in-front of my friends Toyota FJ cruiser which came to pick me up at the station.
Though it was a short trip, it was an awesome experience which I will always cherish than any other mode of travel.
Wish to see long-distance train travel become more common in America. If you really want to see America, I believe this is the way to do it.