Relaxing On The Rails

BY KYLE ENGELS

Trains, at first glance, aren’t a particularly striking form of transportation. More often than not, they’re seen as impediments; the walls you get stuck behind every so often while driving or blaring horns that interrupt your conversation. But trains can also provide an exceptional journey, not just for their convenience, but for the opportunity to relax, look out over the rapidly shifting scenery, and experience your journey firsthand.

While trains are more of an annoyance than a beloved mode of transportation in the U.S., they are a huge part of daily life in European countries, providing invaluable convenience for the daily commute of millions. Many people make their commute by train from all corners of the continent, using a vast system of railways that makes every experience climbing aboard a train car new.

While I was visiting Germany with friends, one of the most memorable parts of my trip was my experience taking the train across the wide countryside from Dusseldorf to Leipzig. It was a much longer ride, so the accommodations were nicer, with more legroom and space than you would have on a subway ride. But, the main difference was the chance to watch the lush, green landscape fly by as we sped forward. I remember herds of cattle grazing, small cottages dotted along quaint paths in the distance, and a peaceful atmosphere that completely contrasted the dark walls of our subway rides earlier in the trip. There was a soft rumbling accompanying us the whole way, constantly reminding us of our ongoing journey. While our initial arrival to Germany certainly felt exciting, this train ride convinced me that we had arrived in the country, with fields and old stone walls welcoming us along the way.

Another similar train ride I took was a trip from Germany to Prague. Coming from another country, the circumstances were a bit different, as we were crossing international borders. The train car had little additions to make the ride more comfortable, like cushions instead of hard seats, and even snacks. Despite the overcast day, the foliage and streams still maintained their lush appearance, drawing everyone on the train to the windows.. Fog rested high in the hills as we zoomed by, with rivers and small settlements posted alongside them. Getting off the train, it was hard to believe we were in a different country. For me, the airport is what usually signifies an international journey, but here, in the station, it was as casual as another stop on the tracks.

Unlike the trains I experienced in Europe, trains in the U.S. seem to have a far smaller role in society comparatively. Public transportation in big cities is a part of daily life, which isn’t too different from Europe’s own urban areas. But overall, they’re not nearly as well-known as speeding passenger trains bolting across the countryside. Not only does the U.S. lack an extensive rail system like the one in Europe, but ticket prices are usually much higher for the routes that are available. This discourages travel via train, as it’s still slower than a plane ride, and not cheap enough to justify the extra time. The reason trains are so popular overseas is because of their affordability, as they’re ingrained into European culture. But here, it’s simply less efficient. The U.S. is, of course, much larger than the overseas countries that utilize them as well, making the concept of an expanded train infrastructure a difficult one to put into motion.

The concept of a U.S. rail system has been discussed several times over the past few years, and every time I see it come up, I get a little bit of hope. Wouldn’t it be great if, for a low fare, you could casually visit somewhere like New York or Boston for the weekend? I hope to see a system like this become a reality, not just because of the implications for easier travel across the country, but also because of how fascinating this transportation is. It provides a comfortable journey that works in both solitude and company, with a soft rumbling accompanying you as you get to visually experience your journey firsthand, with your view not being limited to clouds. Everyone should be able to share my experiences of relaxing on the rails.