RV Travel Poll: How Interested Are You In Riding Scenic/Tourist Railroads?

Above, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad at High Line. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the joys of travel has to include riding on scenic/tourist railroad.

I've ridden a few, such as the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado, the 1880 Train in South Dakota, the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad in California and others.

Above, at one point, the Durango train is 300 feet above the Animas River. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Travel posted a poll asking readers how interested they are in riding scenic/tourist railroads.

They begin it with:

How interested are you in riding scenic or tourist railroads? Maybe you’ve already crossed a few famous routes off your bucket list, or perhaps you’ve never really given them much thought. Either way, we’d love to know where you stand.

There’s something undeniably nostalgic about traveling by train. Instead of white-knuckle traffic, endless construction zones, and watching your fuel gauge creep toward empty, you can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery rolling by. Some of the most famous tourist railroads wind through breathtaking mountain passes, hug dramatic coastlines, cross towering bridges, or travel through places that aren’t accessible by road at all.

To read more and participate in the poll, go here. 

Beautiful and Historic Train Stations To Visit

Above, Union Station in Los Angeles. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Hard to believe, but I have been somewhat a train buff. I enjoy riding them and photographing them.

Another part of being a train buff is visiting historic train stations. The biggest train station I've been to was Union Station in Los Angeles. The smallest one has to be the Gallup train station. The most I've been to were train stations servicing bullet trains (Shinkansens) in Japan.

Above, the Durango (Colorado) train station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

That is the topic of an article by Gail Marsh at RV Travel. She spotlights several train stations that she recommends visiting.

The article begins with:

No matter where your next RV adventure takes you, there’s probably a wonderful train station along your route.

Whether it’s a grand megalopolis station or a small local depot, each train station is unique and special because it tells a story about our country’s history. These are places where bold civic ambition met architecture; where marble and tile still hold stories of migration, commerce, and travel.

Let’s look at five train stations. Each of these stations is located in areas that offer many, many things to see and do. I hope you’ll take time to visit these historic train stations along with other nearby attractions. Why? Because each station has the potential to roll back time to the days when trains ruled the travel industry.

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo's Yamanote Line Marks 100 Years of Operation

Above, a Yamanote Line train in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While in Tokyo during my eight trips to Japan, I have used the Yamanote train line many times. The Yamanote Line encircles central Tokyo and is quite handy in exploring the city.

According to Kyodo News, the train line has reached 100 years of operation.

They begin with:

TOKYO - JR East on Saturday marked exactly 100 years of operation of the iconic Yamanote loop line train that encircles central Tokyo.

Connecting with private railways entering from the outer suburbs, bustling commercial districts formed around hubs such as Shinjuku and Shibuya stations, and laid the foundations for the capital's development.

Redevelopment continues along the line today and its status as the main artery of Tokyo, carrying huge numbers of people daily, remains unchanged.

JR East held a commemorative event using a train enveloped in a past train design that departed from Ikebukuro Station and made a complete circuit in about an hour. 

To read more, go here. 

Shinkansen At 60

Above, a bullet train pulls into Atami Station in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Did you know that last year the famous Shinkansen, or Bullet Train, in Japan turned 60?

Incredible as it may seem, the Shinkansen began Service in October 1964. 

I have taken rail trips on the Shinkansen from Sendai to Kyushu and points in-between. They have always been enjoyable and comfortable.

According to Travel and Tour World:

On October 1, 1964, just days before Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics, Japan unveiled the world’s first high-speed rail service — the Shinkansen, also known as the bullet train. This sleek white marvel did more than cut travel times; it became a powerful symbol of Japan’s rapid post-war recovery and technological prowess, setting a global benchmark for rail innovation.

To read more, go here. 

Japan: 10 Annoying Foreign Tourist Behaviors On Trains

Above, inside a Shinkansen (bullet train) car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan seems to have many etiquette rules. Anyone who has been there at least several times gets acclimated with them with no real problem (more or less).

Unbeknownst to some (especially newbies), there are even rules on trains. 

Sora News has posted an article with a list of the top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains.

They begin it with:

Japan is seeing more inbound foreign tourists than ever these days, which also means more inbound foreign tourists than ever on public transportation. But as locals and Japanese residents increasingly rub elbows on trains, that also means more chances for tourist behavior to rub locals the wrong way.

As part of its annual study on train/station etiquette, the Japan Private Railway Association collected responses from 5,314 participants via an online survey. 62.9 percent of the respondents said they’d been bothered by impolite behavior by foreign tourists, and the survey then asked them to designate up to two specific complaints, resulting in the following top 10 list (technically top 11, if you count the entry of “other”).

To see what they are, go here. 

7 Affordable Overnight Train Trips In The US

Above, the Southwest Chief arriving at Gallup Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Four years ago, I took an overnight round-trip aboard Amtrak's Southwest Chief train from Gallup, New Mexico to Riverside, California to attend my aunt's funeral. Although I've been on trains in Japan and taken short trips on "amusement" and historical trains such as the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, this was the first time I've ridden on an overnight train in the U.S.

It was an enjoyable trip and very affordable.

Above, the Southwest Chief's café car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

TheTravel has posted an article on seven affordable overnight train trips in the U.S., which includes the aforementioned Southwest Chief.

They begin it with:

In America today, most travelers who want to get out and explore the country will likely plan their vacation in terms of either a flight to a distant destination or perhaps any of the lengthy cross-country road trips along America's vast interstate highway system. Sure, while these options certainly provide exciting and memorable journeys, travelers in the United States may overlook some of the incredible adventures by train that are available all around the country.

Many of Amtrak's busiest and most popular routes are shorter trips between major cities in close geographical proximity. However, Amtrak also offers many longer overnight train journeys between destinations in different parts of the country (some even venture into Canada, too!). These scenic overnight train journeys in North America allow passengers to travel across the country (or even into Canada) in only two or three days while experiencing the unique thrill of a scenic train trip.

What's more, these train journeys often get passengers right up close to some incredible scenery. Unlike road trips, these trains let passengers get as many pictures of the scenery as they want without having to worry about keeping their eyes on the road. Yet, the best part is that many of Amtrak's best overnight train journeys are also quite affordable for most travelers. Here are some of the most affordable overnight trains in the United States, their average cost (from $51 to $183), and what passengers can hope to see along the way.

 Riders do not have to be stuck in their seats. They can walk to observation and café cars.

To read more, go here. 

Above, Southwest Chief passing Jack Rabbit Trading Post in Arizona. Video by Armand Vaquer.

Train Routes Showing Off The Scenic American Backcountry

Above, the Southwest Chief arrives at Gallup Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One mode of travel that I've always found enjoyable and that is train travel.

Whether it is a steam locomotive in San Juan Mountains of Colorado or a cross-country ride aboard the Southwest Chief or a high speed Shinkansen in Japan, they all have been enjoyable.

TheTravel has an article on ten train routes showing off the scenic American backcountry.

They begin with:

Is there anything not to love about train travel? Think about it. The whistles from the steam engines, clickety-clack sounds, and beautiful scenery all make for a fun ride, and someone else is doing the driving.

The world is full of things that instantly gratify people, and certainly, enjoying leisurely travel along one of the scenic sleeper train routes in the US is one of them. So, enjoying a slow ride can be an incredible experience. Whether doing a day trip or a long-distance journey, train rides are the best way to explore an area without rushing.

But which routes should one explore in the Backcountry? Here are the ten train journeys to take in this part of America.

To read more, go here. 

Is The Japan Rail Pass Worth It?

Above, a shinkansen train arrives at Atami Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On October 1, Japan Rail raised the prices on its Rail Passes, by around 70%,

I traveled around Japan during my eight visits there over the years and found it to be economical. Now that the prices have been raised, the question now is, "Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?"

An article in Japan Today discusses this.

They begin with:

TOKYO - There are many things to love about Japan, from the food to the living tradition to the ultra-modern streets of fast-paced Tokyo. Of course, there are also the trains. Sleek and punctual, they whisk passengers from one corner of the country to the other in comfort and style.

Regular visitors will know about the Japan Rail Pass, an affordable, all-you-can-ride ticket that grants access to the many Japan Rail-associated trains, including the famous bullet train, the shinkansen. However, prices have recently increased—and by quite a lot.

Is the Japan Rail Pass still worth it? 

To read the full article, go here. 

Be sure to read readers' comments.

Japan’s JR Rail Pass Prices Are About to Increase

Above, the first Shinkansen I rode using the JR Rail Pass. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We're a little over a month away from when the cost of the JR Rail Pass is hiked around 70%.

I have used the JR Rail Pass several times to travel around Japan. With them, I have been to Sendai, Niigata, Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Sasebo, Kumamoto, Atami and other places. 

AFAR has posted an article on what to expect when the prices go up on October 1. They also state that there's plenty of time to buy before they do.

They begin with:

Travelers planning on visiting Japan may want to re-evaluate their travel budget—the price for a Japan Rail Pass is set to rise by roughly 70 percent on October 1, 2023.

The passes, which offer a flat rate for an unlimited number of rides on most trains during a set timeframe (including the famous high-speed Shinkansen bullet trains) have long been a popular way for travelers keen to visit multiple destinations (and have traditionally been more cost-effective than buying tickets à la carte).

Here’s what you need to know about the new pricing for the Japan Rail Pass.

To read more, go here. 

What It's Like To Ride Japan's Bullet Trains

Above, a view of Mount Fuji from a Hikari Shinkansen. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the most enjoyable things to experience in Japan is taking a ride on one of their famous bullet trains, or Shinkansens.

I have ridden several of them. including the Hikari Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto over the years. It is on this route that Mount Fuji can be seen on clear days.

Monica Humpries took the Hikari to Kyoto and was thrilled with the experience and she writes about it (with plenty of photos) for Insider.

She begins with:

I've had the luxury of sitting underneath glass-dome windows as my Rocky Mountaineer train barreled between Colorado's mountains.

I've peered into a rainforest as a commuter train headed out of Sydney, Australia, and into the bush. 

But nothing could have prepared me for the excitement of riding my first bullet train between Tokyo and Kyoto.

If one wants to ride a bullet train with a Japan Rail Pass, they better do it before October 1. The price of rail passes go up that day.

To read more, go here. 

RV Travel Poll: Do You Enjoy Riding Scenic Railroads?

Above, the Durango train at High Line with the Animas River below. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Do you enjoy riding scenic railroads?

I have a confession,  I do!

Since I moved to New Mexico five years ago, I have ridden the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in southern Colorado twice. The first was in 2020 to Cascade Canyon and then again last year to Silverton. But I have ridden the train several times since 1982. The train departs from Durango, which is only three hours away from home.

In Durango, I found a nice RV park, Alpen Rose RV Park, that the trains pass by.

Above, Alpen Rose RV Park in Durango. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have ridden others over the years. The next train I plan to ride is the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. It runs between Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. It is 240 miles from home.

What prompted this blog post was a poll by RV Travel (posted yesterday) on riding scenic trains.

They wrote:

Even if you’re not really into trains, riding a scenic railroad is a lot of fun, especially if it really is, well, scenic.

Here are the 10 Best Scenic Train Rides, as voted by readers of USA Today (in 2021). Once you see the photos and read the descriptions, you’ll want to ride these. And if you really love trains, this book on tourist trains is for you.

After you vote in the poll below, leave us a comment and tell us about your favorite tourist train or scenic railroad that you’ve ever been on. We’re looking forward to reading your comments. Thanks!

To take part in the RV Travel poll, go here. 

Japan Rail Pass Price Hike Very Unpopular

Above, inside a Shinkansen train car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the dumbest moves in the annals of Japan travel was the announcement by the Japan Railways Group that they will be hiking Japan Rail Pass prices nearly 70%.

During seven of my eight trips to Japan, I have obtained a JR Rail Pass and found it very convenient and a bargain. If I go back to Japan, I will likely not buy one.

Other travelers agree with me as surveys have been taken and a big majority of people are also saying "no thanks" to buying a JR Rail Pass, according to an article by SoraNews24.

They begin with:

In April, Japan Railways Group shocked international travelers thinking about taking a trip to Japan by announcing a gigantic price increase for the Japan Rail Pass. Long considered one of the best deals available for inbound tourists looking to see a large swath of the country, the “JR Pass,” as it’s also known among travelers, gives you an unlimited rides on the Shinkansen bullet train, as well as local JR-managed lines nationwide, over a period of one, two, or three weeks.

Currently, a one-week pass costs 29,640 yen (US$220), but that will be jumping to 50,000 yen. The two-week pass will be rising from 47,250 to 80,000 yen, and the three-week pass from 60,450 yen to 100,000. That works out to price increases of between 65 and 69 percent, and depending on where you’re staying and whether you’re splitting hotel costs with a travelling companion, the difference is enough to potentially equal multiple nights’ worth of hotel costs.

Needless to say, the change hasn’t been met with cheers from overseas travelers anxious to visit Japan now that the country has finally reopened from being effectively closed to tourism for almost the entirety of the pandemic. Illustrating just how unpopular is this move by JR is, Export Japan, management company for inbound-to-Japan travel portal Japan Guide, has released the results of an online poll carried out through the site in May, shortly after the Japan Rail Pass price hike was announced. When posed with the question “Will you be buying the Japan Rail Pass after the price increase?”, the responses from 1,098 participants were:

● Probably not: 36.5 percent of respondents

● Absolutely not: 36.1 percent

● I can’t say for sure: 15.5 percent

● I’ll probably buy it: 6 percent

● I’ll definitely buy it: 5.9 percent

To read more, go here. 

5 Most Confusing Train Stations In Tokyo

Above, Shibuya Station in 2010. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Unless a visitor wants to spend money on expensive taxi cabs in Tokyo, the only alternative to getting around the city is with the subway and train system.

Navigating the Tokyo subway and train system is, to me, a lot easier than the Amtrak system in the U.S. But, there are some train stations in Tokyo that are downright confusing, even to locals.

Time Out Tokyo has an article on five of the most confusing Tokyo train stations.

They begin with:

Let’s get one thing straight: some train stations in Tokyo are so confusing that even locals routinely get lost in them. So you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that when it comes to navigating the underground labyrinth of Shinjuku Station, or finding an exit at Shibuya Station other than the one that leads to Hachiko, everyone is in the same boat. 

To make things more complicated, in the midst of the city transitioning to remote work, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and general urban development projects, many of the stations are undergoing renovations that have partially altered station exits and train lines. That’s why we’ve outlined this guide to the five most confusing train stations in the city.

To read more, go here. 

Union Pacific Rail to Cut Fuel Shipments By Pilot/Flying J

Above, the Jamestown, New Mexico Flying J prices on June 5. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The other day while in Gallup, New Mexico, I noticed that the unleaded regular gasoline price there went down to $4.549 from around $4.659/gallon.

In the meantime, the local Pilot/Flying J Travel Center in Jamestown, New Mexico has been charging $4.799/gallon of unleaded regular for the past week (or a little longer).

Maybe the following is a reason why.

Coercion Code reported:

Shameek Konar, the CEO of Pilot Flying J truck stops and gas stations, explained during a hearing that on April 13, Pilot Flying J was informed by Union Pacific Railways (UP) that the company was “required to reduce shipments by 26 percent.” Then, in subsequent conversations, UP asked them to reduce rail shipments even further by 50 percent or face embargoes. Konar said that the reductions will significantly impact the availability of fuel and fuel prices. Pilot Flying J supplies roughly 30% of diesel exhaust fuel (DEF) in the country. The trucking sector of our economy depends on DEF as all trucks manufactured after 2010 cannot operate without it, and the cut in deliveries will heavily impact the trucking industry.

According to Konar, no other companies are being instructed by UP or any other railroad to reduce their shipments to the extent that UP demands Pilot Flying J. Union Pacific’s largest shareholders are Vanguard and BlackRock. UP also recently reduced shipments of fertilizer to farmers. Internet critic Jim Stone suggested that Pilot Flying J knowingly caused the problem by changing their paperwork to jam up the system, resulting in a steep loss in service. He wrote that both Pilot Flying J and UP are elite owned and proposed that both companies are acting as a tag team, putting on a show to intentionally cause serious problems.

Is Washington (i.e., the Biden Administration) pressuring Union Pacific to force shipping cuts on Pilot/Flying J? It seems that it could be a possibility (it really wouldn't surprise me in the least). They would like nothing better to force people into electric cars.

We'll have to keep an eye on this one! I smell a big rat!

To read more, go here.

Dinner Group: Moving Native American Dances A "Bad Idea"

Above, Ohkay Oelinge dancing at the County Courthouse Plaza. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last evening, we had our monthly supper group dinner at Gallup historian/author Martin Link's home.

It was a good dinner consisting of tamales.

During the conversation at the dinner, it was the unanimous consensus of the group that moving the Native American dances to the Gallup Cultural Center from the County Courthouse Plaza was a bad idea.

The reasons cited are as follows:

• Small area not accommodating for large gatherings.
• Small "arena".
• Poor parking.
• Train noise.
• Poor seating.

Prior to when the dances were held at the Courthouse Plaza, they were held in an area now occupied by the Gallup Skateboard Park. They were moved to the Courthouse Plaza for much of the same reasons cited above. 

Above, the County Courthouse Plaza was ideal for audience participation. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 

Another reason for the Courthouse Plaza venue: audience participation. Audience participation in the dances requires a large area, which the Courthouse Plaza was ideal for.

Everyone agreed the Courthouse Plaza location was the perfect venue for the dances.

Native American Dances Moved To Gallup Cultural Center Infuriating Many

Above, a Zuni Pueblo dancer at the Courthouse Plaza in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I read that Native American dances will be held three nights a week at the Gallup Cultural Center (which houses the Amtrak station), I thought it was something else and not the traditional nightly Native American dances at the Courthouse Plaza that ran from Memorial Day to Labor Day annually.

It is not.

According to the Gallup Sun:

Nightly Native dances have been a part of Gallup’s summer tradition for years, but like many longstanding events returning from a pandemic hiatus, changes are in the works.

As part of the Gallup Cultural Center’s city-sponsored refresh, the formerly Nightly Indian Dances will return for three nights a week at a new arena under construction there.

That’s not good news for restaurant owner James Rich, who’s unhappy that the dances will leave Courthouse Plaza. For years he’s kept Camille’s Sidewalk Café open in the evenings to serve patrons who come to the plaza to watch the dances.

It’s not just that the dances are moving, he said, but that business owners around the plaza were not consulted before the change was announced to the City Council April 12.

“The lack of inclusion has led us to feel a little disappointed with the decisions that are being made with the nightly dance program,” he said. “Without the opportunity to be in that conversation to relocate it, just unilaterally make a decision to relocate it, we learned that tonight. It was a huge mistake.“

He found sympathetic ears in Gallup City Councilors Fran Palochak and Linda Garcia.

“I was very sad to see the dances were moving from courthouse plaza because it’s such a beautiful venue. It’s round and has seating,” Palochak said. “The plaza was built for this purpose… I just don’t want to see that side die to promote another side of town. The goal and focus is to make downtown vibrant. If there’s too much separation that’s not going to happen.”

Garcia agreed.

“I was also sad [...] to hear we’re not using courthouse square for dances,” she said. “It always drew the people. It was crowded and the tourists just loved it.”

The plaza will still have entertainment.

In addition to concerns about their own business operations, Rich noted that the dances moved to the plaza partly out of concerns over safety and disruptive train noise at the Cultural Center, which is in the renovated Santa Fe Depot. The arena under construction now may not even be suitable for dances, he told the City Council.

“It’s on concrete. It’s supposed to be on dirt. Some of the dancers may object to that,” he said. “There is no keyhole to enter that dance arena. Some of the ladies with the long dresses will have a challenge stepping over that wall.”

"What we have here was a failure to communicate" or, "a lack of communication."

Above, the Gallup Cultural Center in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is my suggestion to bring the dances back to the Courthouse Plaza three nights a week and hold them at the Cultural Center two nights a week since taxpayer funds were used to build the new arena there as a compromise.

To read the full article, go here.

Amtrak Vacations To National Parks

Above, the gate to the train tracks at Gallup, New Mexico station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After a few weeks of slightly declining gasoline prices, they are beginning to rise again. 

That is putting a big crimp into summer vacation planning this year. But, there is an alternative to spending your children's inheritance on gasoline or diesel fuels. 

According to TravelAwaits, Amtrak has vacations that include train travel and national parks.

The begin with:

If you want to visit a national park this summer but you’re concerned about rising gas prices and traffic, Amtrak might just have the solution you need.

Amtrak Vacations provides passenger railroad service to national parks so you can relax and take in the scenery with family or friends. Plus, all of the national park itineraries may be customized to suit your preferences — including origin city, trip length, and even budget.

Above, the Amtrak Southwest Chief arrives in Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For example, two years ago, I took the Southwest Chief from Gallup, New Mexico to California. The Southwest Chief is the train to take to visit Grand Canyon National Park.

Rails To The Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon National Park

“Traveling on-board the Southwest Chief and the Grand Canyon Railway to one of the seven wonders of the natural world is certainly a bucket list experience like no other,” Amtrak explains. “Known as ‘the most spectacular gorge in the world,’ the Grand Canyon is one of those places that stays with you long after you return home from vacation.” 

This 5-day adventure begins and ends in Los Angeles.

You can learn more about the Rails to the Grand Canyon vacation here. 

To read more, go here.

Florida Judge Voids Mask Mandate On Public Transportation

Above, yours truly aboard an Amtrak train in 2020.

A Florida federal judge voided the public transportation mask mandate.

This is both a victory for limited government and the constitutional checks and balances the framers intended.

According to AOL News:

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge in Florida has voided the national mask mandate covering airplanes and other public transportation as exceeding the authority of U.S. health officials in the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision Monday by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, also said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention improperly failed to justify its decision and did not follow proper rulemaking.

In her 59-page ruling, Mizelle said the only remedy was to vacate the rule entirely across the country because it would be impossible to end it for the limited group of people who objected in the lawsuit.

The judge said “a limited remedy would be no remedy at all” and that the courts have full authority to make a decision such as this — even if the goals of the CDC in fighting the virus are laudable.

Since I have a trip coming up this year by airplane, this is definitely welcome news. I have flown when the wearing of masks were mandatory for the entire flight. Not fun!

To read more, go here.

Ukraine Train Station Attacked By Russians

 

You Can Save On Train Travel Instead of A Road Trip This Summer

Above, an Amtrak train arrives at Gallup Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One has to be living on a desert isle with no communication to not know that gasoline and diesel prices have been soaring during these past weeks.

But there is an alternate people should look into for vacation travel and saving some money: trains.

That is the subject of a new article by Travel + Leisure.

They start it with:

On a recent cross-country road trip from New York to New Mexico, I overheard a couple laughing as they filled up their SUV. Their laughter faded as gas began climbing above the $100 mark. It was the first time they'd ever hit three digits when filling up their family's vehicle.

Across the United States, road trippers are feeling the pain at the pump, and experts predict that prices will continue to soar. For Americans looking to plan their summer travels, that raises the question of whether road tripping is really the best way to see the country right now. Could train travel emerge as the alternative? It might just make financial sense. 

To read more, go here.