Seduction by private rail car
Welcome to a fantastical niche of the world
Recently during a run-of-the-mill Relational sync sesh, Jordan casually mentions private rail cars. I think this is the second time he's mentioned this luxury train car niche of the world. But this time, I am completely and totally captured by the potential of living in a rail car with a group of friends for a couple weeks.
Jordan's actually on an Amtrak train as we talk about the train system, traveling from Idaho to Oregon. The crew gets to gabbing about transportation by rail. There's consensus that it looks super fun to travel by train in the U.S, but holy crap is it SLOW. We definitely do not have fast-speed, ligh-rail style ammenities... yet.
This is part of the charm of riding a train though. The relatively slow, loping pace of moving through a rolling, seamless landscape of fields and small rural hubs, from the suburban outskirts straight into the cities that loom in the distance.
A kind of cozy, tucked away feeling. Safe from the elements, and stopping every so often for a few hours, maybe take a stroll, grab a bite, pick up some new travelers.
I envision a private train car, or two, with a combination of sleeper cars, a small but mighty kitchen, a dining area, a sprawling living area where we'll lounge and co-create. Little nooks set-up for more intimate conversations or solo work time and phone calls. Imagine: the Darjeeling Limited, just for you and your squad.
How about the Cedar Rapids? A private railcar with Skytop observation windows that create an effortlessly invitational lounge vibe. Designed by Brooks Stevens for railways in the Midwest United States in the late 1940s, this railcar is available for chartering. Looks like ideal lounging for a group of about 8 or so.
Or maybe we go more retro with the hi-level lounge car. With space for at least 20, we could scoop folks up along the ways, creating a party train of sorts as we coast along the land.
A fantasy, perhaps. An attainable one, maybe. It is nonetheless satisfying to daydream about the possibility of spending a couple of weeks moving across the U.S with friends.
For more inspiration…
"The BEST railroad photos on the net": railpictures.net
American Association of Private Railroad Care Owners, Inc. (AAPRCO) - www.aaprco.com
Bon voyage!