Riding the rails in style has never been easier! This is the definitive guide to North American train travel, complete with booking procedures, onboard etiquette, maps, floor plans for typical coach and sleeping cars, and more. It reflects the recent, sweeping changes at Amtrak, North America's largest passenger rail system.

This second edition was is now available! You can order it here now and it will be shipped to you immediately!

I gained much of my information about Amtrak from the first edition of this book before I ever stepped onto a passenger train! After having traveled almost every mile of every Amtrak route myself, I have found the information in the book to be quite accurate and extremely helpful.

The following is information from the first edition. The new edition is updated and expanded.

Everything you've ever wanted to know about trains and rail travel is here -- from history to logistics. Longtime rail enthusiast Jim Loomis will help you plan a unique, memorable train excursion. You'll find detailed and useful information such as: Booking Procedures, Schedules, On-Board Etiquette, Rail Itineraries, Description of Scenic Rail Excursions, System Route Maps For Both Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada, Floor Plans For Typical Coach and Sleeping Cars, and more!

The following is from the back cover:

This is the ONLY Comprehensive Guide to Riding the Rails!

Few can deny the romance of traveling by train -- the thrill of gazing out windows at passing towns, meadows, and mountains as you chug along in comfort. But in a territory as vast as North America, many of the best routes are easily overlooked -- even by the most avid train travelers. From lifelong devotees to novice admirers, everyone will discover new ways to enjoy riding the rails in All Aboard!

Everything you've ever wanted to know about trains and rail travel is here -- from history to logistics. Longtime rail enthusiast Jim Loomis will help you plan a unique, memorable train excursion. You'll find detailed and useful information such as:

• Booking Procedures
• Schedules
• On-Board Etiquette
• Rail Itineraries
• Description of Scenic Rail Excursions
• System Route Maps For Both Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada
• Floor Plans For Typical Coach and Sleeping Cars
• And More!

Along the way, you'll learn the fascinating folklore and history of railroading in North America; fundamentals of railroad operations, safety, and equipment; and professional railroading terms as explained in a full glossary.

Jim Loomis is a travel writer and owns an advertising firm. He has traveled practically every North American rail route -- at least once!

Contents (of the first edition):

• Rediscovering the Train
• 1 Why Take A Train?
• 2 How It All Began
• 3 Amtrak to the Rescue
• 4 Planning Your Own Train Trip
• 5 Packing and Last-Minute Details
• 6 Life on Board
• 7 Who's in Charge Here?
• 8 When Things Go Wrong
• 9 Passenger Train Equipment
• 10 How It All Works
• 11 What About All Those Freight Trains?
• 12 Safety -- Priority Number One
• 13 Taking the Train in Canada
• 14 Now, Where Would You Like to Go?
• 15 Is There a Train in Our Future?
• Appendix A: A Few Suggested Itineraries
• Appendix B: Good Places to Stay
• Appendix C: Golden Spike Travel Agents
• Appendix D: Excursion Trains and Railroad Museums
• Appendix E: Pro-Rail Associations
• Glossary
• More Information About Trains and Train Travel
• Index

List Price: $16.00 Order The New Edition Now For $12.80 You Save: $3.20 (20%)!
The book will be shipped to you immediately.

2nd Edition, Paperback
Published by Prima Publishing
Publication date: March 1, 1998
ISBN: 0761510877