- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: Train from Nola to Chicago…any opinions?
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:18 am to TripleCrown
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:18 am to TripleCrown
Did it a couple years ago. Got a sleeper car. Trip takes a while. Nothing to see as you run through woods and the poor parts of towns. Still, a trip to try once or twice.
0
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:18 am to Turf Taint
quote:
for a long time there was no direct flights from Louisiana to Chicago
When Whitney Lockman was the Cubs manager?
Flew to Chicago a bunch of times for a long time.
Eastern and Delta were both flying non-stop(direct just means flight number remains the same if there are stops involved,) back in the 80s
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:19 am to TripleCrown
I’ve done that trip once (except it was to Champaign just south of Chicago) and it was horrendous. I rode coach and I sat for 12 hours with the dregs of society. They refused to stop talking at night while everyone else slept (or tried to sleep). The train car shakes from side to side the entire time and it stops at every station along the way so it takes exactly the same amount of time as it does to drive but costs almost as much as it does to fly. Not worth it at all.
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:20 am to Ten Bears
quote:
Trains suck. You think they are cool, but they just suck. After an hour or so, you will have wished you had flown.
Nah, trains can be cool. Amtrak just sucks. Take any of the Euro trains (especially France and Spain), Japanese, etc and you’ll see how good train travel can be.
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:24 am to TripleCrown
Did the Memphis to NOLA trip. Multiple stops makes for a slow trip. As someone mentioned you will be riding with the dregs of society aka imagine Greyhound bus scenario with the smell of body odor and unwashed arse of your fellow travelers. If you do decide to take the train get a sleeper car, it will be money well spent or just save money and drive.
This post was edited on 1/1/23 at 10:25 am
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:25 am to TripleCrown
Went a few years ago to a cubs game. We Jackson around 5:30 on a Friday afternoon and we’re in Chicago about 10am. Make sure you get a sleeper cabin, especially one with its own toilet. They are a lot bigger than the regular sleeper cabins. These are considered first class tickets so your meals are free. We brought our own liquor. Was a fun trip.
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:25 am to Cymry Teigr
quote:
Nah, trains can be cool. Amtrak just sucks. Take any of the Euro trains (especially France and Spain), Japanese, etc and you’ll see how good train travel can be.
This is fair. I’ve taken Amsterdam to Paris and it was pretty cool and quick (and most importantly, on-time).
Amtrak isn’t horrible, but it’s not good. Fine for 1-3 hour routes, but no chance I’d take it for anything longer.
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:29 am to TripleCrown
I've taken it.
enjoyable?
I used to drive and stop in Greenville for a steak.
one train benefit is to be able to interact almost normally with fellow citizens.
you can read the paper.
or your cell phone.
I never once thought it was enjoyable. just less stress than the drive in weather. pouring rain. no problem.
some dude comes on at memphis and sells the paper.
"Memphis' oldest paper"
enjoyable?
I used to drive and stop in Greenville for a steak.
one train benefit is to be able to interact almost normally with fellow citizens.
you can read the paper.
or your cell phone.
I never once thought it was enjoyable. just less stress than the drive in weather. pouring rain. no problem.
some dude comes on at memphis and sells the paper.
"Memphis' oldest paper"
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:29 am to TripleCrown
Wear your mask, just like your fellow travelers...
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:30 am to lsujag
Took a train one way for the lsu game a few yrs ago, was pretty dreadful and the food is barely edible.
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:36 am to TJG210
quote:
Took a train one way for the lsu game a few yrs ago, was pretty dreadful and the food is barely edible.
If they offer the steak, it’s not terrible. Yeah, I’d be pissed if I got it in an actual restaurant, but for being on a train, it seemed good.
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:38 am to Johnny Carson
quote:
or just save money and drive.
This. Memphis is like driving from nola to shreveport. Relatively easy drive that takes less than half the time as a crappy Amtrack train.
I feel like 18+ hours would be brutal.
In my experience, any non Memphis Amtrak ticket costs more than the brief flight would.
Drive or fly.
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:41 am to nicholastiger
quote:
It was actually a neat way to do it because for a long time there was no direct flights from Louisiana to Chicago
Wat?
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:46 am to TripleCrown
Under no circumstance forget the paper bag that holds the bottle.
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:47 am to TripleCrown
If you are good by yourself and want to read a book and just isolate, it is a fine trip.
If you have a group of people you want to hang out with and don't mind killing time it is a fine trip.
Don't expect any beautiful vistas or classy dining options in the smokers lounge. Think more like an above average bowling alley.
In no way is it cheaper or quicker than driving or flying to Chicago, but it is a different experience.
Bring an ice chest or two and make your own drinks. You can usually get away from everyone by going on one of the levels there is no walkthrough on.
Don't worry about crime. No one is lurking an Amtrak trying to make some big score.
If you have a group of people you want to hang out with and don't mind killing time it is a fine trip.
Don't expect any beautiful vistas or classy dining options in the smokers lounge. Think more like an above average bowling alley.
In no way is it cheaper or quicker than driving or flying to Chicago, but it is a different experience.
Bring an ice chest or two and make your own drinks. You can usually get away from everyone by going on one of the levels there is no walkthrough on.
Don't worry about crime. No one is lurking an Amtrak trying to make some big score.
This post was edited on 1/1/23 at 10:48 am
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:47 am to Cymry Teigr
Taking a train from Frankfurt to Paris is a worldview-altering experience.
Different countries, different languages, no passport required, flying along at 250-300km/h for about 50 bucks.
Different countries, different languages, no passport required, flying along at 250-300km/h for about 50 bucks.
This post was edited on 1/1/23 at 10:47 am
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:47 am to TripleCrown
I rode the train form Jackson, Mississippi one afternoon for a Saints game. It was an interesting experience, but I wouldn’t want to do it regularly. No damn way I would ride from NO to Chicago…that would seem like an eternity!
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:51 am to TripleCrown
Spirit airlines board.
Posted on 1/1/23 at 10:53 am to TripleCrown
I wish I was a headlight on a north bound train.
I know you rider...
I know you rider...
quote:I did this once and it was nice to say I did it but would not do it again. Too many stops in small towns and it get claustrophobic after a while. And "by a while" I mean takes a long time to get from point A to Point B. Once there, the "train stations" on either side are not exactly romantic like in the old movies. Keep your head on a swivel there.
NOLA to Memphis
This post was edited on 1/1/23 at 11:01 am
Posted on 1/1/23 at 11:10 am to TripleCrown
That line was nicknamed the "Chicken Bone Express".
Page 2 of 4
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News