On this day in travel history...

On February 21, 1804, the world's first railway journey took place as Richard Trevithick's  steam locomotive hauled a train along a tramway -- near Merthyr Tydfil in Wales.  I truly love traveling by train and it's a shame we don't have more of it in the US.  I looked all over the place for some enticing pictures of train travel in the US and guess what?  I couldn't find any.  :(

 

[sleeping accomodations on the Fanxipan Express]

I think that traveling by train is far more civilized than flying and it might be my favorite mode of travel.  For less than a plane ticket, you can travel first class on Amtrak from NYC to Washington, DC.  First class gets you a big chair that reclines, wait service, help with your bags and a decent menu.  And on any train in any class, there are outlets at every seat, so you can recharge whatever you like.  Door to door, it is not much longer than going to the airport.

The bathrooms vary, but this train through Canada [via flickr] has very nice amenities.

Women can still bring train cases on the train.

There is something about train travel that makes me feel free.

[via blinking against the brightness]

I'd be corny and celebrate this day in travel history by watching "Some Like it Hot" with Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis.  I love the party on the train in Josephine's berth.  Any drink they make [Harvey Wallbanger or some such nonsense] will do.

 

p.s.  I *love* all of the drawings on ami.underground.  They are sketches of people on the subway.  The artist captures so much energy in these pictures -- even from sleeping people!

np:

A Namorada, Carlinhos Brown

The Man in The Santa Suit, Neil Halstead

III, Jacaszek