Mountain Outin' Tours, Inc.

04/30/2021

It was 50 years ago, on May 1, 1971, that most intercity rail passenger service in the U.S. transferred from the private railroads to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, or Amtrak. It is a commonly held belief that those in the Nixon Administration who formulated the legislation which established Amtrak expected it would serve as a way to facilitate an orderly wind-down of passenger rail, likely within 5 years. That Amtrak has survived chronic underfunding from the Government, steadfast opposition from most railroads, and a generally hostile political environment in Washington to reach its 50th anniversary is to defy all reasonable odds.

If you have a few minutes, you might enjoy an assortment of Amtrak ads which have appeared through the years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFJQekSh0t8&list=PLiC_BZ-yFaN-2mX7XzoaPGprFBAWOGGka&index=3

Another video produced by Amtrak in 1994 depicts the Sunset Limited and Silver Star for a transcontinental journey from LA to Baltimore. Those of you traveling with us during that period will remember the on board Service Managers and many now vanished passenger amenities as a high point in Amtrak service.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cu7jJRWaeo

Re-upload of the deleted and classic 1994 promo video produced by Amtrak to advertise the various services, classes of service, and accommodations throughout...

12/11/2020

With most of us "grounded" by travel restrictions and social distancing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is time for a nostalgic look back at dining on the rails, and the culinary delights it offered. You may even want to recreate some of the dishes from the recipes provided. Enjoy!

The Dining Car Is Open In the beginning of railroads, distances were short, locomotives were feeble; There was no such thing as a dining car. Travelers brought their own provisions or ate quickly at station restaurants during extended train stops. In the 1850s, some small…

08/20/2020

Back in 2017 our Winter Rail Escapade outing included a ride on the Pikes Peak cog railway. The day of our March visit was clear and relatively mild for that time of year. We didn't make it all the way to the summit, however, due to heavy snow conditions on the ground. But the ride was spectacular nonetheless. The following year the line shut down with rumors that it would close permanently. Strong opposition from the State of Colorado and the travel industry encouraged the owners to re-consider, and their decision was to rebuild the line from scratch. Here is a progress report.

Trains magazine offers railroad news, railroad industry insight, commentary on today's freight railroads, passenger service (Amtrak), locomotive technology, railroad preservation and history, railfan opportunities (tourist railroads, fan trips), and great railroad photography.

07/30/2020

Two years ago our spring outing took us to Prince Edward Island, Canada. One of the places we visited was the College of Piping in Summerside. While the college is temporarily closed now due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the instructors has come up with a novel plan to share the music of the pipes with those of us who are unable to visit in person, as this story explains... enjoy the memory of our past travels together, and contemplation of new travel experiences once the virus is controlled.

A P.E.I. piper found a unique way to lift spirits during the COVID-19 lockdown. James MacHattie offered a daily dose of vitamin B, as in bagpipes, virtually of course.

07/09/2020

Since our travel plans are temporarily on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please enjoy these photos of our National Parks, and savor the thoughts of future travel adventures once the current crisis is contained. --Rolland

The National Park Foundation launched a special edition for its 2020 photo contest. Here are last year’s winners.

06/25/2020

With the SARS-CoV-2 virus still widely circulating in the population, our travel plans remain on indefinite hold. It seems strange and unnatural not to be exploring new destinations and enjoying new experiences. Veteran travel writer, Rick Steeves, expresses the sentiments of all of us in the travel industry in the article below. Enjoy the contemplation of travel adventures in the sunnier days which are sure to come.

A conversation on accessibility, diversity and how he believes the pandemic will change the industry

05/26/2020

While you are sheltering at home, we can remember our travels on Iceland's Ring Road in early fall. In this article, you can view scenes along the Ring Road in winter. Enjoy the contrast! in seasons!

Photographer Ragnar Axelsson traveled the Iceland Ring Road just as the coronavirus pandemic took hold of the world to document a new level of desolation.

01/10/2020

Cimarron, 13-20 June, 2020. The ghosts from bygone days linger in towns along the Santa Fe Trail--of mountain men, cattle barons, railroad builders, lawmen and desperados. In Cimarron, the St. James Hotel still sports 29 bullet holes in the tavern ceiling from the town's glory days. The remnants of Ft. Union recall when it was the largest military base on the Santa Fe trail. In Las Vegas, the legacy of the Santa Fe Railway and Fred Harvey is still evident at Montezuma Castle and the recently re-opened Castañeda Hotel. In Colorado, the narrow gauge railways which climbed mountain passes to reach the mining camps are now mostly silent. But two remain in operation as reminder of the mining boom of the 1880's: The Cumbres & Toltec line over Cumbres Pass, and the Durango & Silverton in the San Juan Mountains. Both still operate the original steam locomotives built nearly 100 years ago, providing the opportunity to experience a bygone era of transportation in spectacularly scenic country.
A detailed brochure with daily itinerary will be available shortly.

11/15/2019

Coming, fall 2020: Byways in Indian Summer, 14-27 September.
Our fall outing takes along the by-ways in northern Indiana, northwest Ohio, and into southern Ontario, Canada. Our travels will introduce you to a variety of small businesses which provide goods and services to the large Amish/Mennonite community. Contrasting with the "mom & pop" businesses, we'll also tour a motor home manufacturer, Toyota's assembly plant, and the distillery for Canadian Club. There is a lot more, too, including a visit to Pelee Island, the southernmost point in Canada, at the same latitude as northern California, site of Canada's first winery. Historic personages are also remembered: Gene Stratton-Porter, Indiana author and naturalist, Rutherford B. Hayes, whose election as President in 1876 is an eerie portent of today's political drama, Dr. Banting, discoverer of insulin; Alexander Graham Bell, Edsel Ford, and others. And, of course, we'll have a railroad connection too: 3 railroad museums, a charter train on Port Stanley Terminal Rail, and the rail roundhouse at Greenfield Village. For a culinary experience, enjoy a Hungarian hot dog at Tony Packo's in Toledo (made famous by Jamie Farr as Corporal Klinger in the M*A*S*H sitcom of the 1970's, and a bountiful Amish supper with John & Elaine Yutzy at their farm. And not to be overlooked are the "quilt gardens" floral displays throughout Elkhart County, Indiana.
Starts in Chicago; concludes in Dearborn, MI (Detroit). Amtrak and airline connections available at both locations.
(photos courtesy Elkhart County CVB & The Henry Ford)

11/11/2019

One of the more spectacular Holiday events is the Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn in Riverside. We have visited this event on several occasions in past years. This year Metrolink is operating special trains from Los Angeles, Orange County and Oceanside direct to Riverside with a complimentary shuttle from the station to the Mission Inn for just $7 round trip on Fridays and Saturdays in late November-December.
https://www.metrolinktrains.com/destinations/festival-of-lights/

11/01/2019

Last year our "Byways in Acadia" outing visited the Magdalen Islands. This article provides an update on the effects of global warming is having on the islands and their inhabitants.

Shrinking ice, rising sea levels and fierce storms are damaging the Magdalen Islands. Residents are trying to fend off the water in some places, and retreat from it in others.

05/29/2019

Many times over the years Mountain Outin' has visited Chicago's Union Station, most recently this past March. So you may enjoy this video describing and illustrating the renewal of the Great Hall of the station (located adjacent to the new Metropolitan Lounge.