All Aboard! Revised 2nd Edition: The Complete North American Train Travel Guide (All Aboard) | 
 enlarge | Author: Jim Loomis
Publisher: Prima Lifestyles
Category: Book
Buy Used: $20.21
Used (15) from $20.21
Avg. Customer Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 719361
Media: Paperback
Edition: 2
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 432
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.1
ISBN: 0761510877
Dewey Decimal Number: 917.304929
UPC: 086874510876
EAN: 9780761510871
ASIN: 0761510877
Publication Date: March 4, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Light shelf wear
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Having traveled almost every North American rail route at least once, Jim Loomis has the track record to write this information-packed guide to rail travel. This book "is written for the person who is naturally inquisitive, who notices and finds delight in little things, who knows that those who hurry miss a lot." After helping you decide whether train travel is right for you (and why car and plane travel might not be), Loomis gets into the finer points of traveling by train. His detailed research reveals how to plan your trip; packing suggestions; booking procedures; schedules; onboard etiquette; good places to stay for overnight stopovers; descriptions of scenic rail excursions; route maps of passenger trains in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico; floor plans for typical coach and sleeping cars; folklore and history of railroading; safety information; and a professional railroading glossary. His creative, tried-and-true itineraries include fall-color routes, big city tours, grand and semi-grand tours, the Santa Fe trail, and "southern comfort." Loomis even explains how many modern phrases have their roots in train travel. He'll help you get "over the hump," while avoiding "hell on wheels," know when you're on a "doubleheader," and see the "light at the end of the tunnel." --Kathryn True
Product Description
The Only Comprehensive Guide to Riding the Rails Throughout North America Just Got Better!
There's nothing quite like the thrill of a train trip, traveling in comfort as you pass towns and meadows, venture through canyons, and cross over mountains. But in a territory as vast as North America, many of the best routes are easily overlooked — even by the most avid train travelers. Whether you're traveling from Los Mochis to Chihuahua, from Los Angeles to New York City, or from Vancouver to Halifax, this indispensable guide will teach you new ways to make your train experience even more enjoyable.
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. Inside you'll find detailed and useful information such as:
Booking procedures
Schedules
Onboard etiquette
Rail Itineraries
Descriptions of scenic rail excursions
Route maps for passenger trains in the United States, Canada, and Mexico
Floor plans for typical coach and sleeping cars
And much more!
Along the way, you'll learn the fascinating folklore and history of railroading in North America; fundamentals of railroading operations, safety, and equipment; and professional railroading terms as explained in a full glossary.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...
 excellent training for you for your train trip January 31, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I hadn't taken an Amtrak crosscountry trip although I've ridden trains in NY area, in Europe, etc. So when we planned a crosscountry train trip, I got this book (there's a second edition published in 1998 too) and it was marvelous. We knew what to expect, this book explained it all. The book is honest and detailed in what it says, and it's easy to read. Plus it's self-contained, meaning you can read only one part and know all you need to about that part without having to go through the whole book. Well worth it for anyone taking an Amtrak trip of 2 hours or 2 days (done both now). Only point to add is that in the sleepers, he recommends against room A since it's a bit smaller, but the other rooms (B, C, D, E) have a door for connecting rooms together for parties of 4 instead of 2, and the door isn't as soundproof as the rest of the wall. So A is a bit smaller but quieter. Also, there is space in the ABCDE sleepers to stow two suitcases under the bed, as long as they aren't too big (9 or 10" x 19" x 23" fit OK) and thus they are out of the way, and I'm not sure he makes that clear--or maybe I was overzealous in figuring out how to get the suitcases out of the way. BTW, on 6 Amtrak trips in the midwest and west, we've never subsequently made up any time, so any delays that happen have stayed with us for the rest of the trip. A good book for a novice train traveller or for one who wonders how some of the stuff happens in the train world. And he's right, the coach seats compare favorably with business class/first class on planes.
Chicago is a big hub. From there, we've taken trains to Seattle, New Orleans, San Antonio, Washington DC. A very useful book to explain what you'll encounter. A train trip is a lot more restful than a plane trip nowadays (yes, I fly a lot too).
 informative but not as useful as it could be August 25, 2002
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
The information is good -- plenty of background material on North American trains, etc. I'd recommend reading it if you're planning a vacation and are interested going by rail (or could be talked into it).But having read it, I can't help feeling that it would be more useful if it were organized and presented differently. Rather than a thick paperback with about 10 typically-sized chapters, maybe it would be more useful if the chapters were broken down into smaller, better delineated sections, with stronger cross-indexing. Maybe spiral bound. More maps? If you're planning a vacation in North America, it would be good to get this book and read it during the planning stage. But it wouldn't be very useful to throw into your backpack and take it with you, which is too bad because with a different organization I think it could be.
 A must read before you board October 22, 2001
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I was planning to take a train across the country on a sleeper.It is certainly nice to know what to expect before you embark unless you are a real adventurer. Author provides very detailed information about the life on board of the train, living quarters, conditions. This takes about half of the book. Than he describes each route. I found this part very short, for my purpose was to know what kind of cities or sceneries I would expecte to see or where to get off the train for a day or two. So for that reason I was a littel dissapointed.But the TV shows gives you some information anyway. So this book was more valuable for life in train.
Excellent briefing for first-time rail travelers September 30, 2001
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
This is the latest edition of an earlier book written by an enthusiastic supporter of American rail travel. It includes changes in Amtrak's system within the last five years. If anyone is looking to travel by train for the first time or is a supporter of rail travel themselves, you should get this book. It explains everything from the duties of crewmembers, who to go to with questions while onboard, an excellent history of Amtrak from its formation by Congress in the early 70s and some sample itineraries. Coverage of the Canadian VIA system and Mexico's Copper Canyon is also included. His section on the Copper Canyon route will make you want to go, and he tells you how to do it. If you need help planning your itinerary, this book provides great advice and even lists some travel agencies who specialize in rail travel. Old rail veterans may consider this book a little trite, and there isn't a whole lot of detail about the trip descriptions in the book. However, the history of rail travel and the technical information about railroads is pretty interesting.
CHOO CHOO TRAVEL ADVENTURES! April 30, 2001
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Add another dimension to your travel adventures. Tried by air, by sea, by car, by motorcycle, by RV? How about by train? In this train travel guide Jim Loomis certainly makes the North American scenic route appealing. Panoramic views of the passing scenery, onboard activities, food, security for your belongings, sleeping accommodations, how to plan your trip, who to call, what to pack for yourself and the kids, how to read a timetable, when things go wrong who to turn to for emergency help, how it all works behind the Amtrak cross country system. California, Mexico, Quebec, Louisiana, New York, Ontario, Washington, Oregon are only a few of the destinations mentioned in this book which taps the innate wanderer in you, and calls you to a different kind of travel adventure. Mr Loomis has even included some suggested itineraries, with related tours and hotels and would you believe railway museums? Take lots of photographs and create your own travelogue for the folks back home. A welcome addition to the vacation experience. Very informative. One can almost hear that distinct plaintive train whistle and that familiar call. All ABOARD!
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