The Joke that is the Acela

America's only high-speed train is routinely passed by 18-wheelers, runs at half-speed along commuter rail platforms because it doesn't have dedicated tracks, uses catenary infrastructure that is almost a century old, and still doesn't offer wifi. And, as I posted on Facebook, all food served onboard smells like feet.

F--- Amtrak.

Normally I'm on the side of our national passenger rail network, but their Thanksgiving pricing practices are unconscionable. Two days before or after the holiday, what's normally a $70 BOS-NYP ticket on a Regional train costs $151. Acela tickets, usually between $89 and $120, cost $155.

It's been this way since August. I've been checking.

Thanksgiving is one of the few wholesome holidays we have left. Amtrak's outright fleecing of customers who are trying to get home to enjoy time with their families pisses me off.

Garbage Rides the Rails, Part II

During the return trip to Boston today, large portions of Penn Station were roped off so that the Yankees could board a chartered Amtrak train to Philadelphia.

ACELA FINALLY HAS WIFI!

It's a test run, and it's a little slow, but it's working. This may be the death knell for the LimoLiner. And it's one more reason for me not to get a toolish Blackberry or iPhone (yes, the iPhone is toolish, and I am a contrarian. With ubiquitous wireless access available, why do I need the internet in my pocket?).

Congratulations to Amtrak for making the Northeast Corridor an even better choice for travelers between Washington and Boston. Now, if only other lines in the system could make money, maybe they'd get free wifi, too.