Amtrak-ing on the East Coast
It was not even an express Acela journey but plain ol' Amtrak, once again, as I made a leisurely trip to Boston to NY and back. Time-wise, it's a close call between flying or taking the train. For me, the train wins on the basis of free wi-fi and the ability to look at passing scenery, however non-descript it may be. I start with the more interesting bits in line with my new 'positivity-creates-a-good-energy-chain-reaction' philosophy.
Some rail coaches have so much leg space that I could fit this small cabin-size suitcase (borrowed from friends) in front of me albeit at the cost of being unable to stretch my legs out in luxury. There is overhead space of course but for those who not quite six-feet tall, this is great.
There are also some luggage racks as you enter most coaches.
The charming Kingston Station in Rhode Island lies enroute to NY. The Americans have done better than their British ancestors with this one. I usually love brick facades but the station in Rhode Island feels more quaint and welcoming than its counterpart in south west London, UK. Perhaps the burnt ochre walls have something to do with it. The only unnerving aspect was the fact that I couldn't spot anyone coming in or out.
Kingston Station, Rhode Island, USA
Kingston Station, South west London, UK
We also passed the somewhat less-charming New London Station in Connecticut. For a global city (by which I mean London, UK) that thrives on being one of the most pedestrian and public transport friendly in the world, its transatlantic namesake had this big parking lot that stared at us as we passed the station.It is one of the few car parking buildings I've seen that don't hurt the eye and almost manage to look friendly on a summer spring day.
A sign on an adjoining building reads 'See New London on a Segway'. From my somewhat restricted vantage point of a slow-moving train pulling out of the station I didn't see much reason to tour the city on a Segway or on any other mode. Certainly the invitations of 'Wings, Beer and Atmosphere' and 'Muddy Water tours' did not appear to be selling this city it as destination.
Despite my disdain, it turns out that New London was one of the world's busiest whaling ports in the early 19th century. There is actually a River Thames here. All the former whale industry prosperity is apparently visible in the architecture and buildings in the downtown area which can not be seen from rail. I suspect the rail station below is not representative of what the Segway tour would reveal (!)
Further down the route, this view of the water and harbour-side activities along the the train route tells a story of a forgotten waterfront in Connecticut. On the way back, as the train pulled out of NY Penn station there were moments when I felt this could be a view of Any City, Any Where.
So many cities across the globe have embraced skyscrapers. Embracing the culture of NY would be less easy.
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Some rail coaches have so much leg space that I could fit this small cabin-size suitcase (borrowed from friends) in front of me albeit at the cost of being unable to stretch my legs out in luxury. There is overhead space of course but for those who not quite six-feet tall, this is great.
There are also some luggage racks as you enter most coaches.
The charming Kingston Station in Rhode Island lies enroute to NY. The Americans have done better than their British ancestors with this one. I usually love brick facades but the station in Rhode Island feels more quaint and welcoming than its counterpart in south west London, UK. Perhaps the burnt ochre walls have something to do with it. The only unnerving aspect was the fact that I couldn't spot anyone coming in or out.
Kingston Station, Rhode Island, USA
Kingston Station, South west London, UK
We also passed the somewhat less-charming New London Station in Connecticut. For a global city (by which I mean London, UK) that thrives on being one of the most pedestrian and public transport friendly in the world, its transatlantic namesake had this big parking lot that stared at us as we passed the station.It is one of the few car parking buildings I've seen that don't hurt the eye and almost manage to look friendly on a summer spring day.
A sign on an adjoining building reads 'See New London on a Segway'. From my somewhat restricted vantage point of a slow-moving train pulling out of the station I didn't see much reason to tour the city on a Segway or on any other mode. Certainly the invitations of 'Wings, Beer and Atmosphere' and 'Muddy Water tours' did not appear to be selling this city it as destination.
Despite my disdain, it turns out that New London was one of the world's busiest whaling ports in the early 19th century. There is actually a River Thames here. All the former whale industry prosperity is apparently visible in the architecture and buildings in the downtown area which can not be seen from rail. I suspect the rail station below is not representative of what the Segway tour would reveal (!)
Further down the route, this view of the water and harbour-side activities along the the train route tells a story of a forgotten waterfront in Connecticut. On the way back, as the train pulled out of NY Penn station there were moments when I felt this could be a view of Any City, Any Where.
So many cities across the globe have embraced skyscrapers. Embracing the culture of NY would be less easy.
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