Hello Reader, it's Kev!

Everyone’s favorite time of year is almost here: the time change! Okay, maybe not everyone’s favorite, but most people I talk to prefer falling back to springing forward. And if you’re spending the night on an Amtrak train, you might get an extra hour of train time at no extra charge.

Get an Extra Hour on the Train—for Free! (If You Book the Right Night)

The first time I experienced an Amtrak during daylight saving time change was during a fall trip aboard the Silver Meteor. We stopped in Rocky Mount, NC, for about an hour while the clocks caught up with the schedule.

Most passengers slept through it, as did I, for I enjoyed an extra hour of sleep—and train time!

Clocks fall back this upcoming Sunday, November 1. If you’re traveling overnight, your train may wait longer at the station nearest the time change.

The bright side: if your train is an hour or less late, you can make up that time without trying!

​Here’s what to know about Amtrak and daylight saving time.​

Amtrak Business Class: Is It Worth the Upgrade?

When booking an Amtrak trip, have you ever looked at the Business Class fare and wondered, “What do I get for the extra money?”

The answer depends on your train! Seating, complimentary drinks, and other perks vary by route, so an experience you enjoyed on one train might be different on your next trip.

I’ve enjoyed Business Class on several routes over the years, especially when I can snag a solo seat. But whether it’s worth the upgrade depends on the price and the benefits you’ll actually use.

My newest post covers where you’ll find Business Class, what may be included, how Acela differs, and what to check before spending the extra money.

​Explore my Amtrak Business Class guide →​

What Is Kev Up To?

This week was a beautiful fall week, and I started walking more. Both make me happy.

I’m working on a train trip! Calm down, it’s just Metra. I’m taking my buddy Aaron to Chicago, and I'll go back a few days later to bring him home. Could he make the trip on his own? Probably, but he won’t have as much fun.

This past week I updated my Amtrak Cascades post. It had been a while since I updated it, and with the new trainsets, there was a lot to cover. It stirred up a little FOMO (fear of missing out), and now I want to check out those trains. It would be my first time traveling there just to ride a regional train, but I want to.

What’s stopping me? The classic duo: time and money. But we’ll see what happens. In a perfect world, I’d take the Empire Builder out, ride the Cascades, and then either fly home or take the Builder back. More realistically, I’d probably fly out. Either way, it gives me something to dream about right now.

Have you ridden the new Cascades trains yet? Hit reply and tell me what I’m missing.

Thank You!

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Until Next Week!

Safe Travels & Happy Planning,
Kev Monteith