(Edited to add: This is a link to the route I was on.)

So, this morning, I left my hotel at 5:30am to head to EWR. I arrived at 6am, dropped off the rental car, and got on the monorail to go to the EWR train station. About twenty minutes later, I was at the NJ transit platform, waiting on a commuter train to take me from there to Newark Penn Station. It took about ten minutes. At the Newark station, I scanned my pre-bought Amtrak ticket receipt at a machine, and it spit out my train ticket.

This part was confusing. I’m sure there’s some way that I’m supposed to be able to look at a screen or examine my ticket to find out what track to go to, but I couldn’t figure it out. I went to the Amtrak information desk, and an attendant directed me to platform 3 and showed me where the elevator was, since I was hauling my large wheeled bag around with me (currently clocking in at 52 pounds, by the way, and my backpack was at 35 pounds…luggage scales are fun!). I eventually found my way to platform 3 and waited there for my 7:24am train. The same attendant that I’d seen at information came up to the platform about ten minutes before the train was set to arrive and started directing people to what area of platform to stand for their ticket. They sorted people by destination and ticket class into several numbered areas along the platform. I had bought a regular coach ticket and that plus my destination of Washington, DC landed me at area 5.

So, in fairness, I had to leave the hotel just as early as I would have for an airplane. However, that was mainly because I had to drop off the rental car at the airport and then take transportation to the train station. If I could have gone straight to the station, and if I hadn’t been avoiding NYC traffic, I could have left a bit later. It was lovely to not have to deal with the TSA, nor a line to check my bag. Granted, I generally like the convenience of not having to tote my bag around with me.

(“real time” note: pulling up to the 30th street station in Philadelphia now)

Then, I boarded. Most of the window seats were taken, so I slid my stuff, with some guilt, into a section of seats marked as reserved for parties of two. I was not the only single person in the seats, but I still felt bad. But, I wanted a window seat, and I figured I could move pretty easily if needed. I tucked my big bag into a niche toward the front of the railcar that seemed designed for large bags. Fortunately, I didn’t have to lift it over my head, because that would have been a dangerous endeavor. I settled into my seat happily. The seats have plenty of butt and legroom. You can totally stretch out and relax. Also, and this is a HUGE bonus to me, every seat has its own power outlet. My laptop is charging while I type this. The only thing that would make it more awesome is Wi-Fi, and to my understanding, they’re working on getting that going. (Or, I could always buy a 3G data card…or trouble the guys at my company who make them to give me a prototype and then just pay for the service.)

A little bit ago, an older man sat next to me for awhile. He used to work for Amtrak, and part of his retirement package was an unlimited train pass for life. So, he takes the train everywhere. I told him it was my first time and explained my interest in someday taking the train through the Rockies, and he said it’s a beautiful trip but that riding a train is definitely more tiring than flying. He was very nice, but I think he may have had some continence issues, because he smelled distinct in that regard. He moved to a different seat a little while ago (he mentioned he wanted a window seat because he gets motion sick…I offered mine but he said he’d just switch at the next stop), and, now, the seat next to me has that distinct smell, too. Eew. Well, actually, it’s fading now, so maybe it was just a linger.

Speaking of, I used the bathroom on the train a little while ago. It was roomy in general, but the actual toilet area was cramped. The toilet was set in at a 30 degree angle, but there was a wall that prevented you from sitting on it at that angle, so that was odd. And, it smelled funny, too.

So, that’s a downside, I guess. Also, I do really wish you could just reserve a certain seat instead of it being open seating. That way, I could get a window without feeling the guilt of being somewhere I shouldn’t be. I guess I could have done what the man did and hunted down a window when we stopped at Philadelphia…but I’m not sure there was another one, and so far, no one has needed this seat anyways. There is definitely some rocking and motion, but it’s not unpleasant. It’s just there. And, it’s quiet in here…not like a plane with the noisy engines and such.

I am really enjoying the scenery. I mean, it’s not much, because it’s all urban areas, but it’s still something to see. Like, just now, we passed a trolley depot. At one point, we passed a junkyard with a big claw that was picking up and moving cars around. I saw Philadelphia’s skyline in the distance just before that stop.

All in all, barring some major catastrophe between now and my endpoint, I think I’ll be happy to take Amtrak again.