Post

Katie Mack
@astrokatie.com

Good morning! Last night I learned three important things: 1) My flight today from Toronto to NYC to give a talk in the Planetarium at AMNH tomorrow was cancelled due to the snow 2) The best alternative Air Canada could offer me was Wednesday morning: too late! 3) But there is a TRAIN 🚂

Katie Mack
@astrokatie.com

Downsides of the train include that it is a 13-hour+ journey and that it is already 2.5 hours late just departing. Also, unlike airplanes, passengers can have phone calls and Zoom calls on trains, and many of my neighbors are currently doing so. But it is running! And it’s reasonably comfy.

3 reposts874 likes

Aleksander Bajrak
@abajrak.bsky.social

Stock up on the snack packs. Exclusive to VIA:

Aleksander Bajrak@abajrak.bsky.social

Why did you take @viarailcanada.bsky.social business class? Is it: a) Better seats b) Free Wi-Fi c) Buying a false sense of superiority Me: The trail mix. That’s it. The snacks.

Lego
@legowerewolf.net

Oh, yes, and unless things have changed you'll have to get off the train at the border, get inspected, and then get back on the train.

Katie Mack
@astrokatie.com

I have the Bose ones but I find they don’t do a great job blocking conversations. They’re better at getting rid of white noise (which on planes often makes it *easier* to hear people talk!)

Marc Anthony
@marcberanger.bsky.social

Hmm I have bose q35 II and haven't had that issue. I have had a few train trips to Montreal. I do tend to listen to podcasts, audio books etc but maybe my hearing is start to go😀...getting old can be fun, I guess it is better than the alternative 😅

Haemaker
@haemaker.hae.com

Another downside is that trains are also subject to snow delays even if the specific track is not affected. Amtrak has no right of ways for the rails. They contract with freight, so they always come second. I would only do it if you are better off showing extreme effort to make this trip.

Dr. Robert
@goldrush99.bsky.social

All travel is weather dependent. Snow can shut down a railroad track and leave you stranded as surely as it shut down highways and airstrips. Be prepared in case the worst happens.

Katie Mack
@astrokatie.com

Yeah it doesn’t seem to have one! It’s a pretty short train. But I haven’t investigated fully yet. I’ll commit to a seat after the border crossing.

Alan Smith
@flanderosa.bsky.social

Not gonna lie, I’d enjoy pretty much every minute of that journey, but then I’m British and love train travel (most of the time when it works anyway). That looks like a significantly prettier one than I make every day to work, though mine does take 12.5hrs less each way 😅

Jared Cram
@jscram3254.bsky.social

That is a really satisfying video to watch. Though I also really love trains, so it may be a personal thing. Does this train have a dining car or just a cafe car?

Dan Moore
@danm628.bsky.social

I’ve been on passenger trains. As a kid. Grandad retired from the T&P so free rides on the passenger trains. I barely remember it. I was very young. And then AMTRAK. I’ve never ridden one of them. Looked a few times. But the cost/time just didn’t work.

Dan Moore
@danm628.bsky.social

I still treasure the memory of when Grandad managed to get me into the cab of a switch engine. We probably moved about a 100 feet. I was the happiest little kid on the planet.

Dan Moore
@danm628.bsky.social

My other Grandad managed to get me on a farm. To see baby pigs and a sow. Once again, happiest kid on the planet. Grandparents are the best. — I’m glad you made it. And had a reasonable train ride.

bertil.bsky.social
@bertil.bsky.social

In most European trains, you can ask for hot water (if you have your own tea bag). I’m not sure how American train canteen operators feel about this, but it’s a nice thing.

Christopher Mims
@mims.bsky.social

this is amazing ... I only *just* learned about this train because I saw it listed at Moynihan train hall in NYC and thought "huh, that sounds like a fun way to get to Toronto" 13 hours is a lot tho curious to hear how it goes / excited to follow along

Rebecca Watson
@skepchick.org

Yesssss, have fun! I've done the Philly to Montreal route and loved it. But a big part of that was that my parents let me buy a GameBoy to take with me. (I was 10.)

Sudro Brown II
@sudro2.bsky.social

I love trains and train travel, so I really wish this country could get its s**t together around reliable, fast, affordable passenger trains. It's never going to compete with air travel for speed, but it really should be a viable alternative to cars.

Katie Mack
@astrokatie.com

Just crossed to the U.S. at the Niagara Falls train border. Off train for passport checks. Two women who’d been sitting across from me were apparently planning to get off at the CANADA-side Niagara station & missed the announcement. But they have crossed over now; fate unclear. #KatieTrainDay

Carole Mason
@carolemason.bsky.social

Many years ago I went to Niagara Falls by bus - from US to Canada - spent a day sightseeing, and came back in the evening. Someone on the bus fell asleep. He meant to get off in Canada but instead woke up in America. I had the impression it was not uncommon for that to happen.

Katie Mack
@astrokatie.com

Back on the train and moving again! By using the clever technique of walking a little farther from the door and passing through the vestibule between cars I have ended up with an entire train car to myself! It is wonderfully quiet and peaceful. Time for a snack and some laptop work. #KatieTrainDay