If you want romance and scenery, forget the airport; see the world by rail. And, if possible, do it in your very own rail car.
A small but passionate group of people do just that.
Often built in the early or middle parts of the 20th century, private railcars offer riders breathtaking views during the day and comfy bedrooms at night.
Sound fabulous? Go ahead and plunk down that million bucks you have doing nothing. Buying a rail car is expensive, but refurbishing it and running it is, well…if you have to ask, you can't afford it.
The cars typically hitch a ride on Amtrak trains. That isn't cheap. It will be about $2 a mile with $1,000 minimum and a $250 hookup fee.
Chuck Jensen, a chief mechanical officer for a New Jersey railway, owns and operates one of these 80 or so private cars and estimates that it has cost about $450,000 to refurbish his "Kitchi Gammi Club."
Many of these rail car owners are not necessarily the super rich and rely on private charters and rentals to help support the cars. That is a job in itself since you have to know the rail routes and you have to keep the cars running. Storing them costs about $500 per month.
Chartering a private rail car isn't a walk in the park either. It can cost from $2,000 a day to $10,000. Private rail charters offer week-long trips for a salty, but slightly more affordable, $3,000 per person. But, hey, you'll have plenty of leg room.
