Riding the Rails in Style: Discovering the Allure of The Crescent Train

Key Takeaways

• The author took a 27-hour train ride from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans on The Crescent train
• The author booked a room with a private bathroom and was entitled to four meals and a glass of wine with dinners
• The train ride was smooth, with a comfortable room and decent food
• The author enjoyed the scenery and spotted historic landmarks along the way
• Train travel in the United States has increased, and the author has become a new Amtrak supporter

Introduction to The Crescent Train
The sunset just west of Meridian, Mississippi, glowed fiery-orange, the sky draped with wisps of pink clouds above a silhouette of treetops and geometric rooflines. This was just one of the many beautiful scenes the author witnessed on their 27-hour train ride from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans on The Crescent train. The author had not taken a long train ride in years, having replaced train travel with air travel, but due to anxiety about flying, they decided to take the train. They booked a room with a private bathroom, which was a bit pricier, but offered more comfort and amenities.

The Train Room and Amenities
The room, labeled as Room B, Car 1910, was a comfortable and cozy space with a private bathroom, a small sink, and a metal storage cabinet. The room also had two closets and a comfortable blue bench that made up into a bed. The upper berth had railed spaces for storage and small windows for viewing the passing scenery while still under the covers. The author was entitled to four meals and a glass of wine with dinners, which they enjoyed in the dining car. The dining car was contiguous to their car, and they had to navigate a swaying gangway to get there.

The Dining Car Experience
The dining car was a unique experience, combining the heritage train dining the author remembered with a fast food ethos. The tables had white tablecloths and paper place mats, real stainless flatware, and vases of red and white carnations. However, the food was prepackaged and served in plastic containers that had been microwaved in the small galley. Despite this, the author enjoyed their meals, including salmon with a tasty sauce, rice, vegetables, and a small salad. They even ordered the same dish again the next night.

The Train Ride and Scenery
The train ride was smooth, with a gentle rocking motion and occasional lurches that produced metallic-sounding jolts and clacks. The author spent most of their time looking out the windows, watching the scenery pass by. They saw fall colors splotched across the forests, tiny towns with old, redbrick storefronts, churches, warehouses, industrial sites, fields, and ravines. They even spotted historic landmarks, such as Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham and the Bigbee Railroad in Meridian. The author enjoyed the peacefulness of the train ride and the opportunity to relax and unwind.

Meeting Fellow Passengers
During their journey, the author met fellow passengers, including Bernard, a former Navy officer who was traveling alone. They struck up a conversation in the dining car and talked about their lives and experiences. The author also met the train’s engineers, who explained the mechanics of the train and the route they were taking. The author learned that five, two-person teams divide up the route from New York to New Orleans and that the train can reach speeds of up to 79 miles per hour on straight track.

Conclusion and Future Travel Plans
The author thoroughly enjoyed their train ride on The Crescent and has become a new Amtrak supporter. They hope to take the train on its reverse route someday, especially to see the scenery they missed during their trip. They also plan to deboard at interesting stops along the route to stay for a visit. The author now knows what to expect from train travel and is excited to take another trip. With train travel in the United States increasing, the author is not alone in their newfound appreciation for this mode of transportation.