Amtrak

Carbondale Amtrak station is terrible. It’s really old and outdated looking, and the workers behind the counter have consistently been rude and condescending. I make trips out of Carbondale quite often, and I know the deal. There’s no reason for treating customers like crap. They also seem perpetually surprised that it’s busy. It’s a college town– kids want to be home for holidays. The train is sold out. Why are you bothered that people are asking you questions or God forbid sitting in your waiting room? It’s disrespectful and makes people more confused because they’re less likely to ask questions when the staff is pissy.
Plus, half the time the doors are locked and the workers aren’t even there. Then, if the doors are open and there’s no train leaving soon, there’s a good chance that the workers still aren’t out front. I wanted to buy a ticket with cash, so naturally I went to the station. I walk in, no one is there. But I can hear either a television or a radio in the background in the back somewhere. So I gave a few «hello? hello?“s as one does. No answer. I tried knocking on the counter. No answer. Finally, I used my phone and called the number listed and stood at the counter and had to tell the man that «yes I have been here for 15 minutes I am just trying to buy a ticket» before he gave a rat’s ass.
Also, Amtrak is consistently late. So prepare from that. For me lately, it’s usually around an hour late. Which is a bummer, since again, college town. So it makes you miss buses and have to walk around late at night.
The only good things about this station is that it’s inside, which is good in bad weather, and that there’s vending. Of course, the pop machine stole my dollar last week, so I guess maybe that’s not a perk after all.

Wow.
I have never taken the train before… but I took a shot and went to new orleans from new york
Dec 27^th. A 19 HOUR TRIP!
I honestly had a great time and I traveled solo.
The train is a great place to meet random people and really just relax. I rarely had a phone or internet signal… so that was a little frustrating because I usually pandora or stream music… Who needs an i pod anymore? I guess it wasn’t horrible I did crack open a book… and sit in the lounge car and snack and talk to cool people… stare out the window and just be completely mindless…
I would definitely do it again!