I am standing in the cafe cart of the Amtrak Acela Express train from Philadelphia.
It is a small miracle that I am even on this train, because the scheduled departure time was only 15 minutes after I left my client’s office. However, I make it because the train is (predictably) delayed. This also happened the first time that I traveled to Philadelphia for work, so I figure that like the D.C. metro, other trains rarely run on time during rush hour.
The train’s food cart is usually to be avoided, but it is late and I am starving. This is how $8 sandwiches get sold.
I briefly chat with one of my coworkers who is working in the train’s cafe cart, and then join the food line.
When I get in line, one of the men ahead of me immediately turns around and stares.
Man: “Sorry, but …did you go to University of Miami?”
Me: “Why, yes. I did.”
Man: “…and you also go to Georgetown?”
Me: “I did. Just graduated with my LL.M.”
Man: “I knew it! I saw you on campus and thought it was you!”
Turns out the man lived in the Hecht dorms when I was a resident assistant, and is now a 1L at Georgetown University. Small world!
Coincidentally, this is not the first University of Miami alum that I have run into at Georgetown Law, or even at Minnesota Law, but I wrote both of those guys up in college for underage drinking and they both still think I’m a jerk.
The Miami guy and I chat a bit and then return to our seats in different cars.
The train then breaks down.
Apparently a portion of the engine came apart, so we spend the next 30 minutes stranded in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, which is close to Philadelphia, but closer to the middle-of-nowhere. I feel like I’m on the Orient Express, but semi-decent cell service prevents the train breakdown from feeling too ominous.
My view when the Acela Express Train broke down in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania.
An unproductive train trip
The train has to go under additional inspections in Wilmington, and it is over an hour behind schedule by the time we start moving in earnest. Maybe I wasn’t so lucky to get this purported express train after all.
Normally, I relish the opportunity to get more billable work done, but spotty Amtrak internet service makes online research impractical. (My secretary would tell me later that the firm provides mobile wifi spots for travel.)
The scenery is pleasant however — except for one moment when I look out of the window and see blocks upon blocks of rotting buildings. The scene looks like post-apocalyptic zombie movie. Maybe this trip is more Walking Dead than Orient Express.
A rotting abandoned district of Baltimore as seen from the Acela Express.
The conductor then says, “Welcome to Baltimore!” — which was both hilarious and sad.
I eventually made it home, but now I am too tired to get anything done. Hopefully my next train ride will be more productive (and on time.) 🚆
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