Comment by ocdtrekkie
6 years ago
This really seems like an intriguing hobby. I'm honestly somewhat shocked this is a service that Amtrak offers at all.
6 years ago
This really seems like an intriguing hobby. I'm honestly somewhat shocked this is a service that Amtrak offers at all.
Another interesting service Amtrak offers is its relatively low-cast shipping. If you're willing to bring your boxed stuff to the station, and pick it up on the other end.
https://www.amtrak.com/express-shipping
There's a 500-lb limit on each shipment, between more than 100 cities. An option for those not in a hurry, or who want to avoid driving the stuff.
Huh. Looks interesting, but there are some odd limits. The 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet seems unusually restrictive, but I suppose if you can palletize the shipment then you get 60" x 48" x 60" (1.5m x 1.2m x 1.5m).
The main restrictive thing, to me, is the list of prohibited items. Everything from stamps to watches to poles, perishables, office equipment (calculators, computers, printers, telephones...), medicine, liquids, furniture, mattresses, appliances, electronic equipment of any kind (explicitly mentioning TVs, radios, stereos...) engines, motorized vehicles, fragile articles... the list goes on.
I literally can't think of anything that would fit those requirements that would be large or heavy enough to need to be moved by Amtrak.
Is it cheaper than LTL? If not then I don't see the advantage.
It surprised me when I heard about it too. I had an opportunity to ride in a private rail car for a few hours [1] (http://boston.conman.org/2015/08/05.4) and that spoiled me for life. Alas, I can't afford to travel that way.
[1] My friend rented the private car at cost from a friend of his for a family trip from Miami to Chicago and back. It was not cheap, but it was a rolling hotel (porter and chef, four bedrooms (one for crew), bathrooms, lounge, dining room and kitchen).
See also the quasi-illegal adventure of Rail Riding, where you bring your own tiny rail car and ride on abandoned track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBsSY3Ktqss
A video of something similar on in-use track: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-46828430/manila-s-tro...
>Manila's 'trolley boys'
> One way to travel in the Philippine capital, Manila, is by trolley. Passengers choose this unofficial transport service because it's quicker and cheaper than other options. For the homeless community that runs the illegal service, it puts food on the table. But it's also incredibly dangerous.
My god, you reminded me of a childhoold dream of mine.
It is .. but I'm glad they do. It enabled our society to keep up the knowledge on it also it could invite business to innovate on it.