Why is this happening so frequently? I found myself super nervous a few days ago when my sister and her family went to Chicago on an Amtrak. I've never been on a train, but always wanted to take a long trip this way. Now I'm not so sure.
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JMO
I've been on quite a few train rides and I actually liked the trips but certain times during the trip there were certain points where it felt a little scary.
As mentioned in my other post whenever we passed another train going in opposite direction that always spooked me the most because of how close it appeared. The other train would zoom past the window and seemed extremely close. I never understood why they had to make the tracks so close together with little margin of safety between the tracks.
For those that have never been on a passenger train I can try to explain the experience of riding a passenger train.
The first difference someone will notice as compared to other forms of travel is they can be a little noisy. You will hear different types of noises throughout the ride that you havent heard before. And when cruising at cruise speed there becomes a methodical rhythmic sound as the trains wheels go over the tracks. That part can be rather soothing and can put you to sleep when you get used to it. I actually liked that sound.
Other sounds can be a little annoying and a little scary at first till you get used to it. Like braking sounds sometimes will squeel unexpectedly. Or when the train shifts from one track to another track there can be sounds of the undercarriage as you feel and hear the shifting onto the other track.
Another big difference than other forms of travel is the passenger cars can give a swaying motion at higher speeds and when going around curves. You can feel the whole car sway a little. Its usually not too bad but sometimes it is noticeable and different than anything else.
You will feel sensations and different types of feelings in the seat as you get used to how a train ride feels. You get used to it pretty quick and for the most part it can be soothing. Its the unexpected jarring or bumps or changing tracks or braking and other things that sometimes makes you take notice.
As the train starts out and gets up to cruising speed you begin to notice the cruising speed. So it becomes noticeable when the train begins to slow down that something is likely to be coming like a train crossing or a train stop. Then if it is not an actual stop then the train will speed back up to cruising speed. So you get used to knowing the typical cruising speed.
I actually liked most all the train rides I have been on. The seats are pretty roomy. The sight and view of the surrounding terrain is fun to look out the window and watch the farms and houses go by. You can see how the different rural communities live as you go by. One thing I recall on one of the passenger cars is 1/2 of the car had seats pointing in one direction and the other half in the other direction. I always like to be facing forward so I had to get a seat where I could see forward. Some people liked to sit facing backward. Im not sure if all cars were like that or just the one I was on.
So a lot is different about train travel. Sights, Sounds, Feelings, Sensations, are all quite different than anything else. Hope this gives people that have never ridden before an idea what it is like.
Overall for me it was an enjoyable experience and I would go again. For me I like to sit in a middle car with the thought that it feels safer to me to be somewhere in the middle of a train. I tend to avoid the ends. Not sure if there is anything to it but it just felt safer to be somewhere near middle of train.
I am not sure why all of a sudden we have had three main accidents in a short period of time. Could it be a sign of something going on or just bad luck.
These are serious accidents lately. I hope its not a sign of something going on like rushing schedules or lack of maintenace or something else.
Its terribly sad to hear of another accident with lives lost and inuries. Prayers for all involved.
