Norman WilsonJan 31

‪#BoringTravel
For a bit more than a year, I couldn't do overnight travel; for related but different reasons, I still can't for at least a few months. In principle that means I lose my advanced Amtrak Guest Rewards status, which is maintained by travel during the year.

But:
‪
Amtrak have just sent me an offer letting me keep my status for another year if I make two one-way trips or one round trip before 2026-02-24. I could satisfy that with a quick trip to Buffalo and back on the Maple Leaf.

Keeping status isn't that important, but it's a good excuse for a day trip.

Not this weekend, but maybe next.

Jessie Nabein Dec 26
I'm gonna count how many unmasked people are coughing on this train (nobody is wearing a mask) So far 5 10!! #boringtravel
Jessie Nabein Jun 6, 2025

On my way to TCAF in Toronto on Via Rail, the train is "going to be stopped for a while to undergo a manual inspection"

w-what...  

#slowtravel #BoringTravel #ViaRail

Norman WilsonApr 27, 2025
#BoringTravel #London to #Paris in less than an hour.
Norman WilsonApr 27, 2025
#BoringTravel Leaving #London about half an hour late aboard #VIARail train 76 to #Toronto. Evidently this train also encountered freight interference, to use the term of art.
Norman WilsonApr 27, 2025
#BoringTravel Aboard #VIARail train 73, awaiting departure on a short just-for-fun day trip.
Norman WilsonMar 29, 2025
#BoringTravel #IfIdGone My conference having finished yesterday (odd that I haven't seen any social-media reports by the conference org), sometime around midday I'd have caught Caltrain (it's all-electric now, right? if so would be my first ride on that) from San Jose up to San Francisco, probably a Muni 30 bus out to the Marina district, and walked a couple of blocks to my hotel. Then done some shopping for the week.
Show threadNorman WilsonMar 24, 2025
#BoringTravel #IfIdGone I would first have spent the morning and early afternoon climbing the Sierras over Donner Pass and winding back down the west slopes. Many people exult over the climb west of Denver into the Rockies; I find the Sierras much prettier and more interesting.
Show threadNorman WilsonMar 24, 2025
#BoringTravel #IfIdGone I'd have arrived in Richmond CA 37 minutes early, with a good 15 minutes to spare to catch Amtrak Capitol Corridor train 743 to San Jose, then VTA Light Rail to my hotel. (Backup plan if I missed 743 was to take BART to Milpitas and VTA Light Rail from there.) 743 reached San Jose eight minutes early. Plenty of time to check into my hotel and then go get some supper.
Show threadNorman WilsonMar 23, 2025
#BoringTravel #IfIdGone I'd probably be waking up about now in the Nevada desert, aboard an on-time Amtrak 5(21).