Train services

There’s one national company that provides train services all over the USA. This company is called Amtrak; it connects only 500 cities and towns in the USA. This is very small number. If you want to use the train, you must combine this mode of transport with other modes of transport.The Amtrak by itself combines bus and train services. The bus takes you to the nearest railway stationfinal destination. Another big disadvantage of Amtrak is that it’s very expensive and so not many people really use itsome trains go only once a day (or once a two or three days). On short routes, they are more frequent. These are big disadvantages. But this organization has also a lot of advantages-the transport by train is very clean, safe, comfortable.

At the railway station-you have to declare your luggage (they check in your luggage). It goes to a separate car. You get it back at the railway station of your destination. It’s the same as at the airport, so you don’t have to take care of your luggage. During the whole journey you get the information on places you are passing, on outdoor temperature, when you are changing time zones. They are given to a passenger by loud speaker provided by a conductor. The conductor tears your ticket into two parts-the second part is clipped over your seat (he wakes you up in your destination if you sleep)
A part of each train is a
buffet car – you may get sandwiches, all kinds of burgers, soft drinks, junk food-candies, chips, nuts.
dining car – 3 meals a day are served and the chef=cook invites you for lunch or dinner. Food served on the trains is very good=excellent. You may get ethnic food – e.g. Cajun food. On some trains you may get food connected with place you are passing.
There is only 1 problem. In summer the trains are air-conditioned too much. You get a blanket from conductor.