From some searching, they’re also available for charter. Still not something for a person of average means to do on their own, but maybe a group of upper-middle class people. Some Amtrak routes go through some incredibly scenic areas. The one that comes to mind in my neck of the woods is the Empire Builder. It would be a luxury experience for sure.
Yet slower, and far less convenient than air travel.
you should be aware there is a non-insignificant population that despise air travel. whether it’s personal issues (fear, stomach problems etc.,) or they really hate the TSA…
I have another thread in here talking about cost, but just the mileage fees for a trip on a car you own can be a significant percentage of the cost of chartering a plane. If you rent the car it can cost significantly more.
Owning a private rail car is a bit like owning a superyacht; it’s not a particularly fast or practical form of travel but it can be luxurious and fun so people with money do it anyways.
How much does a rail car cost, and what is maintenance, inspection, etc like? This is still something of the very wealthy.
From some searching, they’re also available for charter. Still not something for a person of average means to do on their own, but maybe a group of upper-middle class people. Some Amtrak routes go through some incredibly scenic areas. The one that comes to mind in my neck of the woods is the Empire Builder. It would be a luxury experience for sure.
Yet slower, and far less convenient than air travel. Sight-seeing aside, I honestly don’t know who this is for.
Maybe there’s a train-enthusiast club out there that has a small fleet of rail-ready cars?
Slow, sight seeing and not flying is exactly the point.
I would literally rather eat a bug than fly anywhere, unless i absolutely have to.
My guess is that this is a holdover from when rich people did have train cars (and sometimes even full trains!).
I would bet there are still a couple of rich people living out their train fantasies.
Definitely a case of the journey being more important than the destination.
Because they love the experience. Trains are really a lot of fun.
you should be aware there is a non-insignificant population that despise air travel. whether it’s personal issues (fear, stomach problems etc.,) or they really hate the TSA…
I have another thread in here talking about cost, but just the mileage fees for a trip on a car you own can be a significant percentage of the cost of chartering a plane. If you rent the car it can cost significantly more.
Owning a private rail car is a bit like owning a superyacht; it’s not a particularly fast or practical form of travel but it can be luxurious and fun so people with money do it anyways.
The German state railway company sells their used trains here: https://www.db-gebrauchtzug.de/