• I have traveled many times throughout the United States Amtrak trains.
• My experiences have been extremely positive, but I have encountered many mishaps.
• I brace myself for spotty cell reception, crowded train cars and unforeseen delays.

Amtrak is the biggest name in train travel in the United States, which also means there’s high demand, especially around the holidays: more than a million passengers board the trains. at Thanksgiving time last year.

I have traveled the United States numerous times on Amtrak trains, from San Francisco to Chicago, from Denver to California, from Los Angeles to New Orleans, From New York to Chicagofrom Chicago to Washington, DC, from New York to Boston and from Chicago to Portland, Oregon.

Although my long-haul travel have been generally positive, things can still go wrong.

Here are the biggest mishaps I’ve encountered on Amtrak trips and how I prepare for them in advance.