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Making Tracks
Sunday, September 28, 1997; Page E11
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Amtrak
(1-800-872-7245, http://www.amtrak.com) offers rail passenger service throughout the country, which it promotes with a variety of special programs: all-inclusive vacation tour packages, rail access to ski resorts, the Auto Train to Florida, air/rail packages, high-speed Metroliner service to New York, sleeping accommodations and frequent off-price fare offers.
Passenger service on Amtrak includes such scenic trains as the Southwest Chief between Chicago and Los Angeles via the Santa Fe Trail; the California Zephyr from Chicago to San Francisco via the Colorado Rockies, Utah's Great Salt Lake and California's Sierras; and the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle, which traverses Montana's Big Sky Country and Washington's Cascade Mountains. In the Northeast, Amtrak's Vermonter, Adirondack and Cardinal are especially popular during the fall foliage season.
The Auto Train operates daily between Lorton, Va., and Sanford, Fla. The one-way fare for the 16 1/2-hour overnight trip ranges from $85 to $168 per adult (depending on departure date), plus an additional $135 to $234 for the auto. Sleeping car accommodations are additional.
The Air Rail Program links Amtrak with United Airlines so that passengers on a round-trip journey can travel one way by train and the other by plane for much less than if they booked the two legs of the trip on their own. On the rail leg, three stops are permitted. (Amtrak Adventures packages allow you to fly to a destination on United, explore it aboard Amtrak and return by air.) Amtrak Vacations: 1-800-321-8684.
Escorted Tour Vacations feature escorted motor coach tours of a week or more from major cities served by Amtrak. There also are rail/lodging packages available for many cities, resorts and other destinations on Amtrak routes, as well as rail/sail vacations on several cruise lines. Call 1-800-321-8684.
Metroliners provide frequent high-speed service daily between Washington, D.C., and New York City. Reservations are required, and fares are higher than regular service, but no one has to stand. Reservations: 1-800-523-8720.
Discounted fares are offered on Saturdays and during off-peak travel seasons. Special Explore America Fares are sold for travel within four regions: Eastern, Central, Western and Florida. Senior citizen and children's fares are available.
Tourist Trains
Offering scenic rides nationwide, notable routes include the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Durango, Colo., and the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad in Colorado and New Mexico.
Many historic trains still in operation are listed in the "Steam Passenger Services Directory (Great Eastern)," which is sold at the Great Train Store in Washington's Union Station.
In addition, many chapters of the National Railway Historical Society, 301-946-9461, organize special rail outings.
Canada
Via Rail (1-888-842-7245, http://www.viarail.ca/en.index.html) features thousands of miles of track throughout Canada, comprising some of the most spectacular scenery in North America. Their Web site offers schedules, fare information, travel brochures and online booking.
Europe
Rail Europe (1-800-4-EURAIL, http://www.raileurope.com/us/), offers service in 35 European countries and sells a variety of passes and package deals, including tickets for the Chunnel trains from London to Paris or Brussels. Online booking is available on their Web site.
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