Amtrak has routes through 46 states, with 500 destinations including all major cities as well as out-of-the-ordinary sites seen only by rail. Its tracks cross through California, the Midwest, the Northeast, the Northwest, the South and West. A USA Rail Pass is an excellent way to visit any destination in Amtrak's system and choose how long you want to travel. Passes are available in 15-, 30- and 45-day durations throughout the country and you can pick up a pass on-line or through your local travel agent.
The Grand Canyon Railway takes passengers from Williams, Arizona about 30 miles west of Flagstaff to the south rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. The trip is about four hours and is about 65 miles long. On your journey you'll pass many Native American reservations including Navajo, Hopi, Havasupai and Paiute. Along the way, you'll see a variety of wildlife including elk, mountain lions, mule deer and pronghorn, a relative of the antelope. The region is on the Colorado Plateau and the highest elevation is 12,600 feet. There is a 1,500-foot drop on the track which was a severe challenge to the railroad engineers.
The Alaska Railroad has travelers' packages available that include rail travel, hotel stays and tours of Alaska's splendid destinations. Trips range from six to 12 nights and on-board dining is available, with dishes like Alaskan salmon corn chowder and Bering Sea pollock. There are also all-day selections available, like gourmet salads, vegetable bowls, panini and pizzas.
The Metra system has 495 miles of track across Northeast Illinois, connecting people to shopping, museums and other entertainment in downtown Chicago and Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, McHenry and Kane Counties. Metra is a sister to Chicago's L commuter transit system and trains run frequently everyday during rush hour and hourly on weekends. Metra offers monthly passes with unlimited travel between zones, 10-ride tickets, one way tickets and a special $7 weekend pass with unlimited travel.
