Shopsmith Forums

To all, especially veterans on this site, Happy Thanksgiving and many blessings to count. I can't think of a better group to share an adult beverage with.

My wife, son and I will celebrate on the Empire Builder on our way to visit family. We will have T-day on Friday, but are sure to eat Turkey in the dining car tomorrow.

Empire Builder! You sound like you are going to do something I have longed to do. Take a train.


Maybe it is just the romantic in me but I think I would really love to travel this country by train.

When I was working I flew so much I swore that when I retired I would never get on a plane again. And after seeing how passengers are treated I refuse to be cattle herded at my expense. Car travel is fun but you miss a lot of interaction with others. So that leaves me trains.

When you get back be sure to share your experience.

And everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving

Will do, Ed. This is not a first for us. We will climb into our sleeper room tonight when it gets in Fargo, and eat breakfast in St. Paul, MN in the morning. Get into Chicago and change trains for Kalamazoo, MI. Our son lives in Grand Rapids, MI where he is in law school. He is with us going back to his wife.

Like you I did enough flying my last 5 years in the Air Force in the Pacific to last a life time; easily 100,000 miles or more a year. I said when I retired I would travel by train. It's not for everyone, but I love it. At the station they don't take your bags apart or make you run the gauntlet. On the Empire Builder the food is cooked to order and good. And, if you are over 62 you get a senior discount. On one trip we took to DC we were late by 4 hours and they gave us a $200 voucher to be used on our next trip.

Several years ago I ran the numbers comparing our trip costs by car vs. train to Grand Rapids. If you get a sleeper your meals are included. By car, a two day trip and figuring 55 cents/mile, hotel, and meals, the train was cheaper. Plus this time of the year you don't have to worry about driving in foul weather.

I recall trips on the Burlington Zepher from La Crosse to Chicago as a grade schooler. Nice and relaxing way to go. Of course relaxing was not on my agenda then!;)

Happy Thanksgiving Gentlemen. Here's to good company, good tools, and good times.