Amtrak – MacKenzies on the Road

February 20, 2019February 18, 2019

Ornate modern hub

We had experienced Union Station in Chicago from afar, who hasn’t seen the movie The Untouchables, but we weren’t prepared for its absolute grandeur when standing in the middle of the Great Hall. It took our breath away. I couldn’t take enough pictures to capture all the ornate details. The newly restored glass ceiling and limestone architecture made us feel like we had stepped back into the golden era of train travel. I fully expected a silver screen movie star to come sweeping down the stairs followed by porters and trolleys full of luggage, and a half dozen well groomed dogs, of course, didn’t they all have them back then?

Originally opened in 1925 after 10 years of construction, Amtrak has been slowly remodeling and restoring the station into a modern hub of transportation while keeping the authentic historic feel. I think they are doing a great job! Kudos! Boo to Penn Station in NYC who tore down their historic building and made a modern mess.

Tidbit: During WWII the glass ceiling of the Great Hall was blacked out so the station wouldn’t be a target.

February 19, 2019February 17, 2019

Pass on by

When I was a child I spent hours in the car traveling to see grandparents. I would stare out the window watching the unknown worlds go by. Riding the train reminds me of those days. Hour after hour I stare out the train window watching houses, factories, schools, and cars go by. We’ve passed hundreds, thousands, maybe millions of people. Where are they all going? What are they doing? Dreaming? Wanting? Hoping for? Do we have something in common? Would they listen to my story or want to tell their own? If we met on the street, would we become friends? Foes? Or just pass on by? Since the train keeps moving, I guess we’ll never know.

Tidbit: While I may never know if I would find common ground with those outside the train, I do know that I met people inside the train, whether sharing a meal or a two minute conversation, that enriched and expanded my own narrow vision of the world outside.

February 15, 2019February 15, 2019

Art or Vandalism?

An unexpected treat while riding the train west was all of the graffiti seen on the rail cars, abandoned buildings, retainer walls and any other available flattish space. Fun, colorful, and amazingly artistic, they are eye catching. But, do the locals, building owners and railways view it as art or vandalism?

Below are a few we were lucky enough to catch (if a bit blurry), we missed most as the speed of the train only gave us a second to grab the shot. We apologize if any of the graffiti is offensive, we enjoy it for the artwork, not for the message it is sending.

We found it to be an an amazing art form.

Tidbit: If you look closely at the pictures above, notice how the artists go around important information on the rail cars like rail names and identifying numbers. Is this out of respect for the railway or preservation of their artwork so it is less likely to be removed?

February 14, 2019February 13, 2019

6 to 650K in 12 Hours

Pennsylvania Station in New York City sees 650,000 people pass through it, and is home to one of the largest homeless populations, every day. A far cry from where we started where 6 total boarded for the trip to NYC.

Walking about, waiting for the train a Pink Floyd song came to mind.

On the Turning Away

“On the turning away
From the pale and downtrodden
And the words they say
Which we won’t understand”
“Don’t accept that what’s happening
Is just a case of others’ suffering
Or you’ll find that you’re joining in
The turning away”

So we passed out a few breakfasts to those taking shelter in the station amongst the Prada and Gucci passing by. Big cities are not our thing.

A mini micro world of people rushing to suceed, among those struggling to survive, and everything in between.

Tidbit: There was a Tim Horton’s in Penn Station! Those who have been following the blog know how much we love our Timmy’s.

Another type of beacon shining on a chilly NYC ‘morn.

February 12, 2019February 12, 2019

The Twain! Boss! The Twain!!!

(With apologies to Fantasy Island)

We currently await the train to NYC from an anywhere station USA. The station is small, warm, and nice, and has the melancholy feeling of lost youth. If only the walls could talk, the tales this station could tell from the Golden Era of train travel. The era when the rich and famous would arrive and head off to some resort or another, and the hobos would be camping further down the rail.

Now it is just M and D here with our wee backpacks! Back on the road/rails and heading west! Going to strike it rich? Going to find fame and fortune? The big question is…are we the lost youth, the rich and famous, or the hobos?