The Ultimate Luxury? Time. Indulge in Some on a Luxury Private Train Car Ride from New York to Chicago. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Hearken back to the time before wireless this and speedy that by watching the world drift by, ensconced in your own plush private rail car.   "Private rail car travel is the ultimate luxury land cruise," explains Simon Pielow of Train Chartering about their private charter which follows at the rear of a regularly scheduled Amtrak train. "The railroad between the Big Apple & the Windy City makes the whole journey not only memorable but also carbon responsible. What a very special Christmas present!"

The company's Mount Vernon rail car was built between December 1949 and June 1950 for Pullman service on the Union Pacific Railroad. Following renovation completed in 2004, it is a six bedroom lounge car for up to ten passengers & two crew. Onboard entertainment includes a TV, DVD/video, audio CD & XM satellite radio receiver. There is a full kitchen and a marble-tiled shower room. Each bedroom has an en suite WC & basin. Dividers between bedrooms can be opened to create suites of beds and lounge. Dining in the separate lounge/diner can be on separate tables or round a banquet-style single table.

Ride in a private rail car from New York to Chicago:

Day 1 (you select the date) Depart New York Penn Station at 3:45pm; dinner is served.
Day 2 Arrive Chicago Union Station after breakfast at 9:45am. The route between New York & Chicago city centres takes in Albany, Buffalo & Cleveland, passing along Lake Erie for much of the journey. Overnight in Chicago at the hotel you choose & book.
Day 3 Depart Chicago Union Station at 5:45pm; dinner is served.
Day 4 Travel day, dining en route, & arriving New York Penn St at 10:29pm. The return is via Cincinnati, the New River Gorge (West Virginia), Washington DC to New York City.

The full service option for the charter is $17,500, which includes fine dining and all beverages, along with the services of the executive chef. A 'no frills' board-only option is available for $13,500. Prices are for up to 10 passengers, including the services of a car attendant; however, flights, transfers & hotels are excluded.

For more info, go to PrivateRailCars.net.

- The Travel Snob