ISO scenic U.S. train trip in March

Afghanistan is not a energy producer and in OPEC.

The oil pipeline was to go from the Central Asia oil patch to the Pakistani coast right through Afghan territory ... it's no secret. The Taliban had to be subdued.

The USA is now actually exporting oil, so I guess we should sell the Navy Fleet and pout the fighter jets in mothballs

The US exports a few specific products and grades of oil, but is still massively dependent on cheap oil imports from (mostly) the Middle East - millions of barrels per day. And the fracking / shale oil "boom" is a one-day wonder - wells are in steep decline from Texas to North Dakota.

Yes but the impact of US production has brought down the price of crude, per barrel, which is important. Under $60 barrel in the beginning. Oil & Gas supplies are in all nations interest, as a common commodity.

There is no pipeline through Afghanistan. The Taliban were a threat to stability on many levels, not just energy opportunities.

I've ridden with Amtrak on the Empire Builder, to Seattle, but at the end of May.. I went solo just for the ride and day after arriving in Seattle I flew back to Chicago. I rented a roomette, ate in the dining car, got off/back on at each stop for photos, sat in the observation deck, met some interesting fellow passengers, etc. One of my best travel experiences. I probably would not make that trip in the dead of Winter, though.

LW

Yes but the impact of US production has brought down the price of crude, per barrel, which is important. Under $60 barrel in the beginning. Oil & Gas supplies are in all nations interest, as a common commodity.

The problem with oil is that if it's too cheap the oil companies cannot produce it at a profit, particularly tar sands and shale oil. But if it's too expensive, then economies tank, and people hurt. There is no happy Goldilocks price.

There is no pipeline through Afghanistan. The Taliban were a threat to stability on many levels, not just energy opportunities.

There was a proposal for the pipeline, avoiding both Iran and Russia, but it was threatened by the Taliban.

Anyway - back to those nicely subsidised trains. Especially European ones - where the top speed we reached was 327 kph.

OK, I plead guilty. In the spirit that the road to happiness is sometimes approached though reduced expectations, and specifically not anticipating the levels of promptness, national coverage, and general service obtaining in some European countries, I pointed out that Amtrak is rather reluctantly and grudgingly subsidized. I also suggested, in the spirit of the orphans in "Oliver" being told to be properly grateful for their gruel, that patrons were not paying 100% of the cost of service.

Look at Glacier National Park 4 day getaway, or 6 day round trip starting in Chicago and going to Glacier National Park through Amtrack Vacations. You can spend some city time in Chicago exploring the museums (the 10 year old will have a lot of options) for the 10 year old. And flights from NYC to Chicago won’t be too much.

Look at Glacier National Park 4 day getaway

The Going to the Sun Road through Glacier NP won't be open in March ... so this is poor advice in my view.

Thanks for pointing out that the route is closed in March. It is something to checkout and the person requesting information might decide to take a train trip at a different time. Or others reading the tread in the future.

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