I was just looking at the cost of possibly using Amtrak to get to Orlando in either August or September and in just a few hours I see on the news an Amtrak train derailed. Should I take this as a sign to find another way to get to Orlando, or not go at all...

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Trains derail consistently. You hear about Amtrak and major derailment because of the severity of the damage--loss of life. Same thing with flat tires—they happen consistently, you only hear about it when it causes a major accident.

I wouldn't consider it a sign.

Here's the link: [url]http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/South/04/06/amtrak.derailment.ap/index.html[/url] I don't really think this should affect your choice. Aren't train derailments kind of freak accidents? I know that they're somewhat common---er rare..? Anyway, if it was me, I'd still take the train. Look at it on a larger scale....and as a terrorist act: 9/11 happened, but did it stop you from taking a plane to get somewhere? No! So just b/c an accident or crazy event happened, if shouldn't stop you from using it as you would normally. Get what I mean?

If you believe in omens, find another way. If you dont believe in omens, then it doesnt really matter what you do. Its most likely a conincidence..although you'd be surprised when signs do appear.

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DO it....ya wuss.
Face the fear man.
You only live once and Greyhounds smell bad.

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nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnope....couldn't think of anything

This shouldn't dissuade you from traveling on Amtrak...

The fact that Amtrak is absolute crap should.

General Public will back me up on this.


And twistytie...derailments happen all the time. Not something that's particularly uncommon.

You shouldn't use it just because it takes as long as a car and costs as much as normal airfare is. Plus, as stated above, Amtrak isn't exactly great.

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TV/Event Guide Editor

The simple fact that it derailed shouldn't deter you. However, everyone else is right. Amtrak isn't great. Last time I took a train trip with Amtrak, we were constantly late. When I took a train trip in Canada, I had to do the last leg by bus because... Amtrak's train was frozen in place in Niagara Falls. VIA Rail in Canada is way better, and on time/early. Amtrak is just plain mismanaged.

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If I were you, I would fly. You'll have more time in Florida that way.

Here are the fares for mid-August, Chicago to Orlando.
Amtrak- $246 RT, Duration: 2 days (each way)
US Airways- $362 RT, Duration: 2:31 (each way)

I wouldn't let a train derailment stop me, but then again I wouldn't travel by train anyway.

Take a plane---may cost a bit more, but will save you plenty of time.

I never been on Amtrack, so I woudn't know anything about it. I have only traveled by car and Greyhound. One of these days I will head up onto a plane.

[QUOTE=Intamin42]If I were you, I would fly. You'll have more time in Florida that way.

Here are the fares for mid-August, Chicago to Orlando.
Amtrak- $246 RT, Duration: 2 days (each way)
US Airways- $362 RT, Duration: 2:31 (each way)[/QUOTE]I can go round trip in August on Rail for $328 haven't found the cheapest flights yet...

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I have a family member who lives in Maine and commutes to Boston daily to work in the financial district there. He takes an Amtrak commuter train daily from some town in Maine to Boston and then gets to work somehow. Its like a four hour commute each way. To fill the time, he has a pretty cool Windows Media Edition laptop to watch DVDs on, to watch the TV programs he has missed or whatever. It works out good since all the seats are equipped with standard 120 AC outlets.

He says if not for Amtrak having those outlets, he would be living in Boston, which he does not want to do as he loves his 20 or so acres he has in Maine.

Either way, I don't think he likes his wife much ;).

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Here's a tip-Dont fly Continental or the other major major carriers. Fly southwest. They should still have some $99 one way tickets. Multiply by 2 and thats about $200. Cheaper than $328. No, you dont get food. But who cares? Eat peanuts.

Ive never been on Amtrack. But I also dont plan on it, because no one likes Amtrack. Few Americans use it, and for a reason.

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[QUOTE=Steven] Amtrak is just plain mismanaged.[/QUOTE]

Not completely true. Passneger traffic is secondary to freight traffic on the American rail systmes. Your freight railroads (Such as CSX, UP) own most of the rail lines. Only electrified rail lines are owned by passenger railraods at this time.

Compounding the issue is the fact the UP traffic is builing up beyonf the levels it can currently handle--expect more slow down in UP territory.