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USA By Rail, New Edition Released

© Lynne A. Williams

As an experienced, frequent train traveler, I am constantly disappointed in travel guides, those from the large publishers, as well as from the small publishers, because they give little or no information about train transportation to and between destinations. Maps often do not show the location of the train terminal, and there is rarely any thought given to the traveler who might like to arrive by train, stay in the vicinity of the train station and enjoy dining and recreation within walking distance.

However, I have always been able to rely on “USA by Rail,” a Bradt Travel Guide written by Englishman John Pitt. Pitt recently released the Fourth Edition of this popular guide, with updated information about routes, timetables and rail passes. The usefulness of the guide is enhanced by its comprehensiveness. There are chapters on rail history and the current state of U.S. rail, as well as useful information for overseas visitors.

But the heart of the book includes the chapters that describe in detail twenty-five of the most popular Amtrak routes. Each chapter includes route maps, distances between stops, brief information about small stops and detailed information about terminal stops and larger stops in-between. For example, the section on Boston includes information about South Station, local transportation, taxis, car rental, Greyhound bus station, Logan Airport, city bus and walking tours, visitors’ bureau and accommodations within walking distance. In addition, the chapter includes addresses, telephone numbers, web sites and descriptions of various Boston attractions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Freedom Trail, the John F. Kennedy Library and many others.

"USA By Rail" also includes information about Amtrak’s twenty-two additional routes, such as the Ethan Allen Express, which travels from New York City to some of Vermont’s most famous ski resorts, VIA Rail in Canada, and steam trains and railroad museums throughout the U.S. and Canada. There are three appendices that include extremely helpful information for the train traveler, including hundreds of useful web sites, addresses and telephone numbers of tourism offices, rail ticketing agents, specialty train travel, cybercafes throughout the world, budget and luxury travel and every manner of rail media, including books, CD‚s, tapes and videos.

Whether you are just thinking about taking a long-distance train trip, or if you are a veteran train traveler, you cannot be without this book. It will not only provide you with the information you need to plan your trip, but it will give you ideas for destinations that you might never have thought of. Be sure to visit the author’s web site, at http://www.usa-by-rail.com/ for helpful passenger rail information and resources.