Riding a Train Can be a Lasting Experience

Have you ever traveled to another city on a train? There is nothing quiet like the experience of riding on a train, there's something magical and timeless about riding the rails across America.

It's a completely different feeling than riding in a car, bus or even a plane. I guess for one, you get to see a lot more scenery than you would if you traveled any other way.  Depending where you go, the view can actually be breathtaking especially if your riding over canyons, mountains, rivers, caves, and over bridges. As a small child I was always fascinated with trains, think got my first toy train set when I was about 5 or 6. And when Union Station was in full operation many years ago in Texarkana, I can remember my father and mother would take me and my brother downtown to just sit watch the trains come into the station. What a memory! Saw lots of joy and happiness on peoples faces, some sadness too which included lots of soldiers, waving and saying goodbye to their loved ones as the train departed the station.

When I turned about 12 or 13 years of age I remember taking my first train trip with my mom to Southern California to go see my aunt who lived there at the time. I vividly remember stopping in New Mexico and thought how beautiful it was there. And after finally pulling into the train station in California, all I could think of was Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm and Hollywood. Thankfully my aunt took me to all three places but in the end, it was a very long trip but I soaked in every moment from eating in the dining car to sleeping in the cabin and just hearing a little history along the way at the various stops along the way.

So what I'm trying to say, if you have never rode a train long distance somewhere, you need to do it at least once in your lifetime. Good or bad it will be experience you will never forget.

Right now we're giving you and guest a chance to ride the rails on Amtrak this summer, or by May 30, 2018. You could win two tickets to Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, St. Louis, or Chicago.

We will be drawing out five lucky winners, each receiving 2 tickets each. Hurry because the contest ends on August 4, 2017.

To enter click on the contest Ride the Rails on Amtrak for your chance to win. And please remember the more you get social with us, your chances of winning increases. You must be 18 or older to participate in this contest.

All Aboard! And Good Luck.

Here are a few responses from my Facebook page.