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I took a 35-hour train ride from Los Angeles to Seattle in a roomette. Here are 11 things that surprised me most.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I got behind the wheel of Rolls-Royce's first electric car, the Spectre. </li><li>The Spectre starts at $420,000 and is extremely luxurious inside.</li></ul><p>When you buy a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-are-rolls-royce-cars-are-so-expensive-2020-4">Rolls-Royce</a>, you're choosing to spend your hard-earned (or perhaps hard-inherited) money on craftsmanship, exclusivity, and class — not flashy gimmicks.</p><p>So when the iconic British brand set out to build <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rolls-royce-spectre-ev-interior-tour-photos-review-2023-7">its first electric car, the Spectre</a>, it didn't load it up with huge screens, video games, or neck-snapping acceleration. Leave that to Elon Musk. Instead, Rolls-Royce made it a Rolls-Royce. That meant focusing on what it does best: luxurious materials and a tranquil, hovercraft-like driving experience.</p><div type="image" title="The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre." height="1000" width="1500" msid="102843167" hostid="261" sizebytes="89130"></div><p>But Rolls did include a few fun features, which I got to experience when <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rolls-royce-spectre-ev-electric-car-photos-review-interior-2023-7">I drove the Spectre</a> for a day in July.</p><h2><strong>Starlight doors and headliner</strong></h2><div type="image" title="EMBARGO 10/18 8 AM ET DNP: The Rolls-Royce Spectre." height="1667" width="2500" msid="102843168" hostid="261" sizebytes="356138"></div><p>An ceiling that looks like a twinkling night sky has become an iconic <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/luxury-electric-car-suv-rolls-royce-bmw-mercedes-lucid-interior-2023-8">Rolls-Royce</a> add-on. And for the Spectre, Rolls extended the option to the inside of the doors. That means you can be surrounded by 270 degrees of stars. Their brightness can be adjusted to the customer's liking, of course.</p><div type="image" title="EMBARGO 10/18 8 AM ET DNP: The Rolls-Royce Spectre." height="1667" width="2500" msid="102843169" hostid="261" sizebytes="484560"></div><p>Pro tip: the glimmering stars are best experienced at night as a passenger.</p><h2><strong>Auto-close doors with brake pedal</strong></h2><div type="image" title="The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre." height="2000" width="3000" msid="102843171" hostid="261" sizebytes="176070"></div><p>When you pay half-a-million dollars for a car, who could possibly expect you to go through the physical labor of closing your own door? Not Rolls-Royce.</p><p>When you get behind the wheel of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rolls-royce-spectre-ev-ceo-favorite-subtle-design-details-2023-7">the Spectre</a>, all you have to do is hold your foot down on the brake pedal and the driver's door will automatically swing shut. (There are also switches between the front seats that operate both doors.)</p><div type="image" title="The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre." height="1000" width="1487" msid="102843172" hostid="261" sizebytes="219112"></div><p>I'm poking fun, but the auto-close feature actually comes in handy. The Spectre's doors are so large and open so wide (and backward, mind you) that it can be cumbersome to close them manually.</p><h2><strong>A car that brakes like a chauffeur</strong></h2><div type="image" title="The 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre." height="1000" width="1500" msid="102843175" hostid="261" sizebytes="275986"></div><p>The Spectre has a common EV feature called regenerative braking. That means when you lift off the accelerator, the Spectre will start to slow down, capturing energy and feeding it back to the battery pack, rather than coasting like usual.</p><p>Rolls-Royce teaches drivers who go through its chauffeuring training program to brake so gently that a passenger won't spill their champagne. And it programmed the Spectre's regenerative-braking system to do the same.</p>

These are the 3 coolest parts of Rolls-Royce's ultra-luxurious, $420,000 electric car

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I rode Amtrak's Coast Starlight from <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-places-to-visit-california-2019-3">Los Angeles to San Francisco</a>. The journey took around 12 hours.</li><li>It was my first long-haul train trip, and I wish I would've booked business class instead of coach.</li></ul><p>A random TikTok video influenced me into boarding the <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/coast-starlight-train">Amtrak Coast Starlight</a>, a famous passenger train that runs between Los Angeles, California, and Seattle, Washington.</p><p>I'd <a href="https://www.insider.com/most-surprising-things-about-my-long-train-ride-photos-2021-10">never taken a long-distance train</a> before, but the Coast Starlight's sweeping views were calling my name.</p><p>I didn't want to jump straight into the full 35-hour journey, so I took baby steps and opted for an 11-and-a-half-hour stretch from Los Angeles to San Francisco instead.</p><p>Here's how I thought the journey would unfold: I'd pass the time taking photos, doing a little work, and calling friends. I'd stay the night at an Airbnb in San Francisco and wake up refreshed, ready, and excited to take the Coast Starlight 10 hours right back home.</p><p>None of that happened. </p><p>I'm not a glamorous person. I'm impulsive and, as it pertains to travel, disorganized. I booked the wrong train, unsuccessfully tried to change my seat onboard, and ended up flying home instead of taking the train back like I was supposed to. </p><p>Here's what I wish I'd known before my first long-haul ride.</p><h2><strong>Amtrak's website offers multiple routes between stops, so double-check that you book the correct one</strong></h2><p>To buy my ticket, I went straight to the Coast Starlight's landing page on the Amtrak site and pressed "book." I thought I'd reserved a seat on the Starlight, but I was wrong. </p><p>Instead, I booked a "mixed service" option, which would've placed me on a series of buses and a totally different train. I later learned that, in order to book the right ticket, I had to use the website's filter feature to specify that I only wanted to see the Coast Starlight options.</p><p>I didn't realize my mistake until I attempted to <a href="https://www.insider.com/los-angeles-things-to-know-before-visiting-from-a-local-2022-6">check in at Union Station</a>, the Coast Starlight's departure point in Los Angeles. Thankfully, an Amtrak attendant helped me sort out my mix-up and kept me from calling off the trip before it even began.</p><p>Don't make the same mistake that I did. Even if the departure and arrival cities are correct, triple-check the route details on Amtrak's website before buying your ticket.</p><div type="image" title="The platform for train at Union Station in Los Angeles" height="900" width="1200" msid="93693827" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong>The temperatures in the cars fluctuate</strong></h2><p>Not only did I book the wrong train, but also I showed up at Union Station in a floor-length dress and expensive, impractical shoes.</p><p>I was feeling very holier than thou about traveling in something other than leggings, but it didn't take long for me <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-i-shouldve-brought-on-52-hour-amtrak-trip-2021-11">to regret my fancy attire</a>. </p><p>In reality, I was sitting for nearly 12 hours. I should've prioritized comfort. I should have never, ever committed to wearing a strapless bra for half of a day. It's too uncomfortable and life's too short. </p><p>The train cars also got surprisingly warm. I tend to run cold on airplanes, but I was sweating at some points on the Coast Starlight. <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-i-packed-on-20-hour-train-ride-amtrak-photos-2022-2">Pack layers</a> just in case the temperature drops.</p><h2><strong>Coach passengers don't have access to the dining car</strong></h2><p>In my experience, the difference between coach and <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-its-like-to-fly-business-class-worth-it-review-2022-4">business class</a> on domestic flights is minimal.</p><p>An upgrade gets you a <a href="https://www.insider.com/where-to-sit-on-a-plane-to-sleep-2018-12">slightly bigger seat</a>, a bit more legroom, and a free glass of mediocre bubbly. I assumed the same would be true on the Coast Starlight, so I booked coach. After all, my wallet was bleeding after I had to pay an extra $100 at Union Station to change my ticket to the correct route.</p><p>In retrospect, I wish I just paid the extra $10 to sit in business class.</p><p>I had no idea that the onboard dining car — equipped with white tablecloths and waiters — is only accessible to passengers in sleeper cars and those seated in business class (<a href="https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/dining-car-access-to-be-extended-to-coast-starlight-business-class/">for an extra fee</a>). When I tried to peek into the other sections, an Amtrak employee stopped me in my tracks.</p><p>During my trip, I attempted to upgrade my ticket to business class. It required a whole series of calls to Amtrak's headquarters. The call-back system didn't work, and after sitting on hold for 30 minutes, I accepted that my mission was a bust.</p><h2><strong>The train can sell out in advance, so buy your ticket as early as you can</strong></h2><p>The Amtrak representative at Union Station told me that the Coast Starlight sometimes books up in advance, and tickets for higher category sections, like business class and the sleeper cars, are often the first to sell out. </p><p>Buy your tickets as early as possible. If you're looking for a last-minute trip, this may not be the best route to take. </p><h2><strong>There's a c</strong><strong>afé cart on the train, so </strong><strong>don't panic about bringing enough snacks</strong></h2><p>I approached my first train ride <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-i-packed-on-18-hour-train-ride-chicago-washington-dc-2022">with a survivalist mindset</a>. I brought a gallon of water, first-aid tools, and enough snacks to last me an entire weekend.</p><p>This wasn't totally necessary. Even though I didn't have access to the dining car in coach, I could still buy hot and cold food, snacks, and drinks from the café cart.</p><p>Around mid-morning, I got a Diet Coke and some popcorn. Had I not been on assignment, I would've ordered some of the IPAs offered on the menu as well.</p><p>I packed my lunch but tried the cart's vegan blue-corn tamale for dinner. I'm a <a href="https://www.insider.com/myths-about-vegetarians-want-you-to-know-2018-7">vegetarian</a>, and as far as affordable plant-based food goes, the tamale was fine.</p><div type="image" title="vegan tamale on amtrak coast starlight" height="2274" width="3024" msid="93693830" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong>I found train seats superior to those on airplanes</strong></h2><p>I have several herniated disks, so I tend to rank my travel experiences on a scale of "ouch" to "call an ambulance." </p><p>After about 11 hours, the Coast Starlight seats <a href="https://www.insider.com/worst-parts-of-18-hour-amtrak-ride-chicago-to-dc-2021-11">weren't exactly peak comfort</a>, but I certainly preferred them to airplane seats. They felt spacious, offered plenty of legroom, and <a href="https://www.insider.com/planes-getting-rid-of-reclining-seats-2018-1">reclined pretty far back</a>.</p><p>In my opinion, the seats were also nap-friendly. But to be fair, I can sleep almost anywhere.</p><h2><strong>The observation car was one of the be</strong>st parts of the train — but you might not be guaranteed a seat</h2><p>The observation car was the train's crown jewel. </p><p>As I sat in one of its rotating chairs, I <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-parts-of-long-train-rides-from-traveler-2021-9">remembered why I boarded the Coast Starlight</a> in the first place. The floor-to-ceiling windows provided breathtaking views of the coast, rolling hills, and flower-filled fields.</p><p>The beauty snapped me out of my anxiety-induced haze. It was exactly the reason I'd come on this trip, and it totally delivered.</p><p>But be warned that seating in the observation car is first come, first served. During the ride, other passengers hovered over my shoulder and eagerly waited for their turn to look out the window.</p><p>I did somewhat hog a chair — I rationalized it by telling myself it was for journalism — but eventually, the sun got too intense and I stumbled back to my seat. </p><div type="image" title="observation deck on amtrak coast starlight" height="900" width="1200" msid="93693832" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong>Stretches of the route aren't very scenic</strong></h2><p>The first leg of the train ride seemed to go right through people's backyards.</p><p>I could look out my window and watch Californians sunbathe on their pool decks. I even watched a boy win a game of Marco Polo. I'm incredibly nosy, so these views rivaled the gorgeous sunsets.</p><p>There were some less-than-scenic stretches as the train moved inland. Still, I enjoyed looking out at the <a href="https://www.insider.com/famous-landmarks-everyone-should-visit-2019-2">different landscapes</a>.</p><h2><strong>WiFi isn't always reliable, so come prepared with other forms of entertainment </strong></h2><p>In my experience, the WiFi was a bit spotty during the ride. It wasn't a problem for me, though. </p><p>Because I knew the internet connection might come and go, I brought plenty of analog entertainment and finally had the time to finish a book. I also spent some time looking out the window and pondering life.</p><p>As someone who clocked three hours of screen time per day last week, I needed a train ride like this to force me to put my phone down. I actually felt like <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-parts-of-a-long-train-ride-18-hours-photos-2021-10">the digital detox was part of what I paid for</a>. </p><h2><strong>Overall, the train passengers were very friendly</strong></h2><p>I've flown on many planes, and I've never met any air travelers who were remotely as cheerful as the passengers on the Coast Starlight.</p><p>Maybe it was because they didn't have to deal with airport stress, or maybe it was because I was traveling on a holiday weekend, but these people had all the joie de vivre of cruise folks (minus the shrimp cocktails). </p><p>They were overall very friendly and social. One man onboard even strummed a Spanish guitar. Though I usually have a fight-or-flight reaction to men playing acoustic guitars, it worked in this setting.  </p><p>Also, people outside waved at the train as it passed, which made me feel like I <a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/magic-kingdom/jungle-cruise/">was on the Jungle Cruise</a>. And I, for one, love the Jungle Cruise. </p><div type="image" title="the view outside the window of Amtrak Coast Starlight" height="4032" width="3024" msid="93693835" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong>The train might not arrive right on time</strong></h2><p>If you're making arrangements to get picked up, build in some cushion to avoid a stressful arrival. My train arrived in San Francisco a few minutes later than expected.</p><p>The delays weren't terrible, but things started to feel grim when I realized I had four more hours to go with the possibility of additional delays. That was the hardest part of this trip. </p><h2><strong>I don't regret boarding the Coast Starlight, but I did decide to fly back home</strong></h2><p>By now, you've probably realized that I was somewhat ill-prepared and naive going into this journey, so you won't be surprised that I accidentally canceled my entire trip when I was trying to upgrade my seat and change my return time on my phone. </p><p>Luckily, I got a partial refund, which I then put toward the cost of a plane ticket to Los Angeles instead of repurchasing a return seat on the Coast Starlight. My flight was under two hours. </p><p>Looking back at my first long-haul train ride, I would do almost everything differently. For instance, I would read the details of my ticket before hitting "purchase." However, the train itself was cool. I learned how to <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-deal-with-travel-anxiety-2019-2">laugh through the travel anxiety</a> and saw more of my home state, which isn't a bad way to spend a day.</p><p>But at the end of the day, I was relieved that I wouldn't have to make such a long journey twice in less than 24 hours.</p>

I made so many mistakes on my first long-distance train ride that I flew back home. Here are 12 things I wish I'd known before I left.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Taylor Swift and Dianna Agron became close while Swift was recording her album "Red."</li><li>They seemed inseparable throughout 2012 and Swift dedicated her song "22" to Agron, among other friends.</li></ul><p>Before Taylor Swift was <a href="https://www.insider.com/taylor-swifts-squad-where-are-they-now-2019-1">sparking headlines about "squad goals"</a> or <a href="https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swifts-the-eras-tour-celebrities-attendees-surprise-guests/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">attracting throngs of Hollywood stars to The Eras Tour</a>, she and Dianna Agron were nearly inseparable.</p><p>The "Style" singer and "Glee" star became close in 2012 and were quickly identified in the media as "blonde BFFs." However, the following year, Swift and Agron suddenly seemed to lose touch. They haven't been spotted together since 2014.</p><p>Keep scrolling to see everything we know about the once-close pair.</p><h2>They became friends while Swift was working on 'Red'</h2><p>It's unclear how and when Swift and Agron met. In 2010 and 2011, Swift became friendly with "Glee" stars like <a href="https://theswiftagency.com/2010/03/24/a-bowling-night/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cory Monteith</a> and <a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/billboard-bits-taylor-swift-spotted-with-glees-chord-overstreet-472863/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chord Overstreet</a>, so it's possible the women were introduced by Agron's castmates. They <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/photos/2012/02/oscar-party-2011-photo-booth-justin-bieber-selena-gomez-kiss" target="_blank" rel="noopener">both attended</a> the 2011 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, but there's no evidence they interacted.</p><p>Swift and Agron were <a href="https://www.taylorswiftweb.net/2011/09/05/shopping-at-fairfax-flea-market/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spotted in public for the first time on September 4, 2011</a> at a flea market in Los Angeles. Swift was between shows on the Speak Now World Tour, while Agron had recently wrapped a series of <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/ministry-of-gossip/story/2011-06-12/dianna-agron-of-glee-likes-girls-explain-please" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glee Live! concerts</a>.</p><p>By this time, we know that Swift was in the process of creating her fourth album because <a href="https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-all-too-well-10-minute-version-explained-reactions-2021-11">she had already written "All Too Well."</a></p><p>According to her diary excerpts (released alongside "Lover" in 2019), the beloved song was conceived in February 2011. She decided to <a href="https://www.etonline.com/taylor-swift-releases-diary-entries-with-lover-album-here-are-the-biggest-bombshells-131087" target="_blank" rel="noopener">name the album "Red"</a> in September 2011.</p><div type="image" title="dianna agron taylor swift" height="900" width="1200" msid="104629885" hostid="261" sizebytes="79692"></div><h2>January 7, 2012: Agron tweeted that Swift looked 'beautiful' on the cover of Vogue</h2><p>Swift was photographed by Mario Testino for <a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/taylor-swift-the-single-life" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the February 2012 issue of Vogue</a>, for which she was given retro-style bangs. According to a <a href="https://youtu.be/Sr1HpFApe9Y?si=80L35FeYjh5XXRhZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">behind-the-scenes video</a>, the photoshoot took place on the eve of her 22nd birthday.</p><p>"Taylor looks all kinds of 70's beautiful....and love a hat! Great job," Agron <a href="https://x.com/DiannaAgron/status/159330242601820160?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> on Twitter, tagging both Vogue and Swift.</p><h2>March 25, 2012: Swift and Agron went to see 'The Hunger Games' together</h2><p>A group of fans <a href="https://www.glamour.com/story/taylor-swift-and-dianna-agron" target="_blank" rel="noopener">snapped a photo with Swift and Agron at the theater</a> during the movie's opening weekend.</p><h2>April 12, 2012: Agron shut down rumors that she was in a 'love triangle' with Swift and Tim Tebow</h2><p>For some reason, in early 2012, tabloids ran wild with a theory that Agron was dating NFL quarterback Tim Tebow while <a href="https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/taylor-swift-has-puppy-dog-crush-on-tim-tebow-201223/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Swift was harboring a "puppy dog" crush on him</a>.</p><p>During an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/308582/dianna-agron-and-tim-tebow-both-refute-love-triangle-with-taylor-swift" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Agron quashed the rumors</a>. She clarified that she had a "10-minute chat" with Tebow and hadn't seen him since.</p><p>Kimmel also asked her to address her relationship with Swift: "Are you dating her? That would be great."</p><p>"Wouldn't that be juicy?" Agron replied, blowing a kiss to the camera and adding, "Hi Taylor."</p><h2>April 24, 2012: They wore vintage gowns and flower crowns to celebrate <strong>Shirley MacLaine's</strong> birthday</h2><p>Swift, who costarred with MacLaine in the 2010 film "Valentine's Day," played dress-up with Agron and two more friends in honor of the actor's 78th birthday. The small group shared <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2135119/Taylor-Swift-girlfriends-play-dress-ups-honour-Shirley-Maclaines-78th-birthday.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">photos of the occasion on social media</a>, though most have since been deleted.</p><p>"We dressed up full-time fancy and went out in celebration of Shirley MacLaine's birthday," Swift wrote on Twitter, per <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/311648/taylor-swift-and-dianna-agron-dress-up-for-shirley-maclaine-s-birthday" target="_blank" rel="noopener">E! News</a>.</p><p>"Had a long day &amp; don't know what to celebrate later…? Because you need a moment to be young? Find your moments," Agron added in <a href="https://twitter.com/DiannaAgron/status/195068996742160384" target="_blank" rel="noopener">her own tweet</a>.</p><h2>April 28, 2012: Swift celebrated Agron's 26th birthday</h2><p>Swift wore a tiger costume for Agron's circus-themed birthday party, which she called "the most magical night" on Twitter.</p>  <p>"The blonde BFFs have been spending a lot of time together as of late," <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/312446/dianna-agron-s-circus-themed-birthday-bash-with-taylor-swift" target="_blank" rel="noopener">E! News wrote</a>.</p><h2>May 15, 2012: They dined together in Los Angeles</h2><p>Paparazzi <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/316987/taylor-swift-grabs-dinner-with-dianna-agron-donates-4-million-to-country-music-hall-of-fame" target="_blank" rel="noopener">caught Swift and Agron</a> leaving Dominick's, an Italian restaurant in West Hollywood, after a Tuesday night dinner.</p><h2>July 4, 2012: Swift and Agron spent the holiday in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts</h2><p>Swift was spotted in the famous East Coast town during Fourth of July weekend, mostly <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/wjvaay/taylor-swifts-kennedy-obsession-may-have-inspired-her-4th-of-july-parties" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hanging out at the Kennedy compound</a>. She was accompanied by Agron and their friend Claire Kislinger (neé Winter), according to the <a href="https://www.bostonherald.com/2012/07/06/taylor-swift-sailing-with-the-kennedys/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boston Herald</a> and <a href="https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/pic-taylor-swift-hugs-patrick-schwarzenegger-during-kennedys-vacation-201267/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Us Weekly</a>.</p><p>Kerry Townsend, the granddaughter of Ethel Kennedy, tweeted at the time: "Arrived at my Grandma's house to find her chilling with Taylor Swift and Dianna Agron. I hope I'm this cool when I'm 83!"</p><h2>October 22, 2012: Swift released 'Red,' which includes a dedication to Agron</h2><p>Swift is known for leaving coded messages for fans in the liner notes of her album. The <a href="https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-red-taylors-version">secret message for "22"</a> was four names: "Ashley Dianna Claire Selena."</p><p>In addition to Agron and Kislinger, these most likely refer to stylist Ashley Avignone and Selena Gomez. The song is about spending a carefree night with friends, though hints of ill-advised romance are sprinkled in: "You look like bad news / I gotta have you."</p>    <p>There could be another reference to Agron in the liner notes for "Everything Has Changed." The song's secret message is "Hyannis Port," where Swift <a href="https://people.com/celebrity/taylor-swift-and-conor-kennedy-kiss-in-hyannis-port/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spent some time</a> with green-eyed Conor Kennedy that summer. ("All I've seen since 18 hours ago / Is green eyes and freckles and your smile," Swift sings.)</p><p>However, many fans have noticed that "Hyannis Port" is actually misspelled in the liner notes as "Hyiannis Port," which mirrors the spelling of Dianna (who also has green eyes).</p><p>The day that "Red" was released, Agron congratulated Swift on Twitter with a <a href="https://x.com/DiannaAgron/status/260494898334158848?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">screenshot</a> of her phone playing "Everything Has Changed."</p>  <h2>December 3, 2012: Swift and Agron both attended the Ripple of Hope gala</h2><p>Swift and Conor Kennedy reportedly <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/357246/taylor-swift-and-conor-kennedy-breakup-anatomy-of-a-split" target="_blank" rel="noopener">split in October 2012</a> after a few months of dating. However, later that year, Swift was <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2012/12/taylor-swift-kennedy-family-ripple-of-hope-award" target="_blank" rel="noopener">still honored with the Ripple of Hope Award</a> from the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice &amp; Human Rights.</p><p>The annual gala was held at the Mariott Marquis in New York City. According to <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/368222/taylor-swift-honored-by-the-kennedy-family-in-nyc-and-it-s-not-awkward-at-all" target="_blank" rel="noopener">E! News</a>, Swift had Agron "by her side" throughout the event. She also performed "Starlight," a song from "Red" that was inspired by Ethel and Bobby Kennedy.</p><p>"Was a beautiful night last night. The RFK foundation provides help to so many truly deserving," Agron <a href="https://x.com/DiannaAgron/status/276095879675531265?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted</a>. "Plus @taylorswift13 was truly lovely."</p>  <h2>April 2013: A fake artice, which claimed Swift and Agron were dating, went semi-viral</h2><p>Shortly after Swift embarked on the Red Tour, <a href="https://x.com/Gleek_09/status/324444337096237056?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a doctored screenshot from a fake tabloid</a> began circulating on Twitter. The headline from Stars Daily, which does not exist, said "Taylor Swift is in a new relationship...but it's not what you expected."</p><p>"Country pop singer Taylor Swift has confirmed being in a relationship with Glee star Dianna Agron," the fake article continued. "Lesbi-honest! Right after the rumors were confirmed, the two were spotted out on a dinner date." (The attached photo was from Swift and Agron's dinner at Dominick's in 2012.)</p><p>On April 23, 2013, "Skins" actor Dakota Blue Richards tweeted about the rumor: "So apparently Taylor Swift and Dianna Agron are dating. Sorry Brangelina, you just got taken over as the worlds hottest couple."</p><p>Neither Swift nor Agron publicly responded to the rumor. But Richards' reaction seemed to increase its virality, and the following day, Agron deleted her Tumblr. </p><p>"Thank you friends for following the journey," she wrote in her final post. "But as an old chapter closes, a new chapter begins."</p><h2>September 4, 2013: Swift, Agron, and other friends went to a Fun. concert</h2><p>"Modern Family" star Sarah Hyland shared a <a href="https://twitter.com/ThrowbackTaylor/status/1566496161242005505" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video from backstage</a> at the Fun. concert, which took place at the Greek in Los Angeles. Swift is featured in the short clip, while Agron is briefly shown standing off to the side.</p><p>"Watching @OurNameIsFun live tonight at the Greek was unforgettable," Swift wrote on Twitter, per <a href="https://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-fun-concert/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Taste of Country</a>. "Such incredible musicians and showmen. It was just SO good."</p><p>Two days later, Agron also <a href="https://x.com/DiannaAgron/status/375664737343664129?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted an inside joke</a> about the concert, tagging Swift.</p><p>This seemed to be the last time they intentionally hung out (at least in public).</p><h2><strong>October 27, 2014: Swift released the deluxe version of '1989,' which includes a breakup song called 'Wonderland'</strong></h2>    <p>The lyrics of "Wonderland" <a href="https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-lyrics-literary-references-easter-eggs-details-2023-5">clearly reference "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,"</a> the 1865 novel by Lewis Carroll. When Swift performed the "1989" deluxe track as a <a href="https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-eras-tour-surprise-songs-acoustic-2023-4">surprise song</a> on The Eras Tour, she said it was a "twisted" take on the fairy tale.</p><p>In the song, Swift describes her muse as having green eyes and a "Cheshire Cat smile." She says they "fell down the rabbit hole" and got lost in Wonderland, all without considering the consequences.</p><p>"Haven't you heard what becomes of curious minds?" she sings in the pre-chorus, a reference to Alice's observation that "curiosity often leads to trouble."</p><p>Swift concludes in the bridge: "In the end, in Wonderland / We both went mad."</p><p>Some fans have drawn <a href="https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-gay-songs-queer-lyrics-2022-9">a connection between "Wonderland" and Agron</a>, who has <a href="https://x.com/DiannaAgron/status/2281945057?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">repeatedly</a> <a href="https://x.com/DiannaAgron/status/3538210646?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted</a> about <a href="https://x.com/DiannaAgron/status/10689647223?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">her love</a> for <a href="https://x.com/DiannaAgron/status/9320354696?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alice</a>.</p><p>"I love 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'The Hobbit,'" Agron said in a 2011 interview with <a href="https://ellecanada.com/culture/celebrity/elle-interview-dianna-agron-reigns-supreme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elle</a>. "Those books got me into reading and storytelling — I could escape to a different world."</p><p>Indeed, Agron reportedly had a <a href="http://diannasarchive.tumblr.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Tumblr</a>, deleted in 2013, that was called "felldowntherabbithole."</p><p>She also had a reference to "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" tattooed on her ribcage: "We're all mad here," which is a quote from the Cheshire Cat. Fans <a href="https://x.com/agron_updates/status/856897499180797952?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">noticed</a> that Agron was in the process of removing her tattoo in 2017.</p><h2>November 23, 2014: They had a brief interaction at the 2014 American Music Awards</h2><p>Although <a href="https://www.insider.com/taylor-swift-karlie-kloss-friendship-relationship-timeline">she spent most of the evening with Karlie Kloss</a>, photographers did catch Swift having a moment with Agron at the 2014 AMAs, <a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/taylor-swift-amas-2014-blank-space-8029961/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">where she also performed her single "Blank Space."</a></p><div type="image" title="taylor swift dianna agron 2014 amas" height="3000" width="1895" msid="104629886" hostid="261" sizebytes="238032"></div><p>This was the last time Swift and Agron were seen together in public. Notably, Agron did not appear among Swift's many celebrity friends in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcIy9NiNbmo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the 2015 "Bad Blood" music video</a>, which seemed to confirm they were no longer close.</p><h2>October 5, 2019: Agron went to 'SNL' when Swift was the musical guest</h2><p>Agron was <a href="https://x.com/agron_updates/status/1180834082642710529?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">photographed leaving 30 Rock</a> after "Saturday Night Live" finished filming. Swift was that night's musical guest — she performed "False God" and the title track from "Lover" — but there's no evidence she interacted with Agron inside.</p><h2>May 7, 2023: Agron was asked about rumors that she and Swift were '<strong>in a relationship'</strong></h2><p>During <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/dianna-agron-interview-glee-taylor-swift-22-sexuality-reproductive-rights-netflix-chosen-one-hulu-clock-1234723125/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an interview with Rolling Stone</a>, Agron was asked about her influence on Swift's music, specifically "22."</p><p>"Me? Oh, if only! That's more because of a friendship than being the inspiration for the song," she replied. "But I would not be the person to ask about that. I cannot claim that!"</p><p>The reporter also asked how Agron felt about being "shipped" with Swift, which he explained as, "You two were made out by the media and some fans to be in a relationship."</p><p>In response, Agron described the speculation as "so interesting."</p><p>"I… I mean, there have been many stories about my dating life that are so <em>wildly</em> untrue. That's funny," she said.</p>

A complete timeline of Taylor Swift and Dianna Agron's friendship

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://history.amtrak.com/archives/diner-interior">Julie Byrne/Amtrak</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Amtrak is nixing its traditional dining car services on the company's one-night East Coast routes.</li><li>The passenger railroad service has had dining cars since the start of its service in the 1970s.</li><li>Take a look at the history of the dining car, from Amtrak's takeover of private rail companies to 2019's announced shuttering.</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</strong> </li></ul><p>Amtrak is doing away with its iconic dining car on overnight trains traveling on the East Coast, instead replacing them with "flexible dining services" of ready-to-serve food.</p><p>The dining cars have been a part of Amtrak since it started service in 1971. The news of the reduction of the number of dining cars in service - as well as the claim that millennials would rather sit in their rooms instead of next to people they don't know to eat dinner - has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amtrak-cutting-some-dining-car-service-millennials-dont-want-blame-2019-9">caused backlash on the internet</a>.</p><p>The passenger train company is still keeping its dining car services on long-distance trains, which include its seven overnight routes: California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited, the Auto Train, and Texas Eagle.</p><p>The new flexible dining services<a href="https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/menus/routes/Flexible-Dining-Menu.pdf"> now feature prepackaged meals of</a> red wine braised beef, vegan Asian noodle bowl, chicken fettuccine, creole shrimp and andouille sausage, and a kid's meal pasta and meatballs. To compare, the original dining cars had <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/menus/routes/Long-Distance-Dining-Car-Menu-1118.pdf">options such as</a> steak and crab cakes, salmon, and thyme-roasted chicken breast, which were cooked in an onboard kitchen.</p><p><em><strong>Read more: </strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ups-unveiled-first-major-redesign-of-driver-uniforms-in-decades-2019-9">UPS just redesigned its driver uniforms for the first time in decades. Here's how the 'browns' have looked since 1921.</a></em></p><p>Amtrak anticipates that these changes will save them $2 million annually, according to<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/the-end-of-an-american-tradition-the-amtrak-dining-car/2019/09/21/d63cca3a-d888-11e9-bfb1-849887369476_story.html"> the Washington Post</a>.</p><p>Take a look at the timeline of the iconic Amtrak dining car:</p>

The full history of Amtrak's iconic dining cars, which the company is removing to cater to millennial whims

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="262185" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Amtrak">Amtrak</keyword> is a key focus of the new $1 trillion infrastructure bill in Congress. </li><li>More focus is put on the rail corporation to connect the country than be profitable. </li><li>Maintaining long-distance routes and food service are also focuses of the bill. </li></ul><p>Congress's bipartisan $1 trillion infrastructure bill has a new mandate for Amtrak, and making a profit is not one of them. </p><p>The National Passenger Rail Corporation is a reoccurring theme in the 2,702-page bill intended to revitalize America's infrastructure. Most notably, the bill aims to place Amtrak's purpose to connect the country over its focus on making a profit. </p><p>In United States code pertaining to Amtrak, one of the findings is currently that: "A greater degree of cooperation is necessary among Amtrak, other rail carriers, State, regional, and local governments, the private sector, labor organizations, and suppliers of services and equipment to Amtrak to achieve a performance level sufficient to justify expending public money." </p><p>The bill proposes that the line: "to Amtrak to achieve a performance level sufficient to justify expending public money" be replaced with "in order to meet the intercity passenger rail needs of the United States."</p><p>It's a policy that rail supporters have been pushing for to strengthen Amtrak's original mandate to serve the entire country - profitably or not. </p><p>Amtrak's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-i-want-to-take-amtrak-trip-newly-upgraded-trains-2021-7">long-distance routes</a>, which have been criticized for poor financial and on-time performance, would also benefit from additional support in the bill. A new goal would be added to Amtrak's purview requiring that the rail corporation "support and maintain established long-distance routes to provide value to the Nation by serving customers throughout the United States and connecting urban and rural communities."</p><p>"Long-distance routes are valuable resources of the United States that are used by rural and urban communities," the bill also seeks to add to Amtrak's findings.</p><p>Amtrak reduced long-distance services to three times weekly during the pandemic, only restoring them to daily service in May and June. </p><p>Jim Mathews, president and CEO of the Rail Passengers Association, told Insider in a prior interview that long-distance routes primarily serve intermediary passengers, or those that <keyword id="6354692" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Travel">travel</keyword> in between major cities. "Only 10% of trips are end to end," Matthews said, noting that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amtrak-80-billion-rail-plan-doesnt-include-high-speed-rail-2021-4">rail offers an alternative to flying for those that don't live in a city with great air connectivity or those that simply can't fly</a>. </p><p>The bill also seeks to add "rural" in Amtrak's mandate to highlight that rail travel isn't just for those going between major cities. If the bill is made into law, a finding would be revised to state, "Modern and efficient intercity passenger and commuter rail passenger <keyword id="34991" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="transportation">transportation</keyword> is important to the viability and well-being of major urban and rural areas and to the energy conservation and self-sufficiency goals of the United States." </p><p>Amtrak's chief goal to "use its best business judgment in acting to minimize United States Government subsidies" is also being amended to "use its best business judgment in acting to maximize the benefits of Federal investments."</p><p>In terms of achieving that goal, Amtrak would also not be bound to "reducing management costs" but rather, "controlling or reducing management and operating costs." "Increasing employee productivity" would also be replaced with "providing economic benefits to the communities it serves" in Amtrak's goals.</p><p>The bill also addresses the quality of Amtrak's catering. "Reducing losses on food service" is the current goal but that may be changed to "offering food service that meets the needs of its customers."</p><p>Amtrak has been steadily improving its onboard dining experience following service cuts under former CEO Richard Anderson. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amtrak-bringing-back-traditional-dining-on-select-long-distance-routes-2021-6">Traditional dining has returned on select long-distance routes</a> in the West including the Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, Texas Eagle, California Zephyr, Southwest Chief, and Sunset Limited; though, <keyword id="6360847" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="trains">trains</keyword> running east of Chicago have yet to see comparable levels of improvement.</p><p>Finally, a section outlining how Amtrak should reduce government subsidies would be replaced with a section on "increasing revenues." </p><p>"Amtrak is encouraged to make agreements with private sector entities and to undertake initiatives that are consistent with good business judgment and designed to generate additional revenues to advance the goals described in subsection (c)," the bill reads. </p><p><em><strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-the-infrastructure-plan-means-for-business-owners-2021-7">Here's everything small-business owners need to know about what Biden's infrastructure plan means for them</a></em></p>

Amtrak would get a new mandate in the $1 trillion infrastructure bill that includes a reduced focus on profitability and better food

<p class="financial-disclaimer"><i>When you buy through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. <a href="https://www.insider-inc.com/commerce-on-insider-inc/">Learn more.</a></i></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reviews/travel" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a></p><ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>As some Americans seek to return to <keyword id="6354692" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Travel">travel</keyword>, many are eyeing regional domestic destinations for trips.</strong></li><li><strong>If you're planning to venture beyond a short drive and don't want to board a plane or sit behind the wheel for hours, traveling by train is still an option.</strong></li><li><strong>To find out if train travel is safe, and how to best protect yourself, we talked to experts including two doctors, a disaster recovery firm owner with a <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> arm, and a representative from Amtrak.</strong></li></ul>Table of Contents<p>The novel coronavirus continues to spread across the globe and the US. But as phased reopenings happen in some parts of the country, many Americans are <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/popular-airbnb-trending-destinations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">returning to travel in some measure.</a> </p><p>But rather than immediately return to previous habits, many people are looking for <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/safe-vacations-during-covid" target="_blank" rel="noopener">safe vacation alternatives during COVID</a> and eyeing <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-airbnbs-safe-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">private Airbnbs (largely considered safe by experts)</a>, or <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-hotels-safe-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hotels</a> with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hotel-precautions-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stringent new cleaning policies</a>.</p><p>Similarly, it's likely that many will eschew air travel in favor of ground <keyword id="34991" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="transportation">transportation</keyword> to visit regional destinations that are close to home.</p><p>Certainly, traveling by car — either the family vehicle or a car <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-car-rentals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rental</a> — is one way of accomplishing such trips, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-rental-cars-safe-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">medical professionals consider rented cars fairly low risk for virus transmission</a>.</p><p>Trains offer another way to travel for both regional and long-distance routes. For travelers who prefer to stick closer to the ground and avoid planes, or for those who would rather nap, read, and take in the sights over managing navigation and traffic, trains offer an alternate option.</p><p>And while you'll have more space to spread out than in an airplane, traveling by train still generally involves interfacing with many people — so, is train travel safe?</p><p>For answers, we talked to experts including a pair of doctors, a cleaning company owner with a new coronavirus division, and a representative for Amtrak.</p><p>Here's what they say about how to know if train travel is clean and safe, how to take extra precautions when you ride, and the level of potential risk exposure compared with other modes of travel.</p><h2><strong>How do I know if the train is clean?</strong></h2><p>The most important thing to keep in mind when traveling (or leaving the house at all) is to understand how the virus is generally transmitted, which is directly from person to person by way of respiratory droplets.</p><p>Now apply that fact to various modes of getting around. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/is-flying-safe-right-now-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Airplanes and airports present plenty of opportunities for exposure</a> through in-person encounters. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-rental-cars-safe-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rental cars</a> provide far fewer. But unlike renting a car, riding a train will indeed likely expose you to other travelers as well as staff during your journey.</p><p>"Remember that most of the transmission of the coronavirus is respiratory — it's not through inanimate objects," says Dr. Thomas Russo, chief of the division of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo, who also notes that much-discussed pre-clinical and asymptomatic possibilities for exposure. That means the bulk of the risk in train travel comes from fellow passengers and staff on the train and in the station.</p><p>So, your chief concern if traveling by train should be minding your social distance, and also maintaining impeccable hand hygiene.</p><p><div type="image" title="Amtrak" height="1125" width="1500" msid="76591528" hostid="261"></div></p><h2><strong>What are train operators doing to make travel safer in the pandemic?</strong></h2><p>National railroad service <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amtrak</a> has rolled out a host of new safety measures meant to facilitate a safe travel experience. All travelers must wear masks, and Amtrak is limiting ticket sales on reserved services to allow for social distancing.</p><p>And not just on the trains, Amtrak has also enhanced <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/coronavirus?intcmp=wsp_hp-hero_link_service-updates_frame1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cleaning protocols</a> at the station, with added measures for social distancing. Signage at Amtrak's busiest stations indicates safe distances in high-traffic areas, and protective plastic barriers have been installed at customer counters. Staff and passengers must also wear masks in stations.</p><p>"As states have started relaxing their restrictions and we restored some services, we are seeing an increase in ridership," notes Roger Harris, Amtrak EVP, chief marketing and revenue officer. "With that, we are limiting bookings on most trains to allow for more physical distancing in seating areas. Individuals traveling alone may use the seat next to them for personal belongings, while friends and family members will easily find seats together."</p><p>Harris notes that more travelers will likely choose the train, compared with air travel or other modes of public transportation as the pandemic continues, saying, "We expect that this summer ridership will continue to increase."</p><p><a href="https://www.khealth.ai/edo-paz-md" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr. Edo Paz, VP of medical at the digital primary care provider K Health</a> notes that distancing measures will be key to a safer experience on a train. "Physical distancing plays a big part in keeping passengers safe. Combined with wearing protective gear like masks and gloves, these protocols suggested by the CDC and implemented by Amtrak can make traveling by train a safer experience."</p><p>Do note, however, that a vacant seat next to a passenger still does not guarantee the CDC-recommended minimum distance of six feet from others elsewhere in the car.</p><p><a href="https://www.amtrak.com/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amtrak</a>, which serves more than 500 destinations in 46 states and three Canadian provinces, also offers a unique class of service that might especially appeal to travelers in the COVID-19 era: <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/onboard-the-train-sleeping-accommodations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">private rooms</a>. While these are not new, Amtrak is re-branding them given circumstances surrounding the pandemic and has announced enhanced cleaning protocols for safety. </p><p>The rooms are available on long-distance routes in a variety of sizes to accommodate solo travelers, couples, and groups of families or friends. A standard room features two seats that can be converted into beds, and comes with complimentary Wi-Fi, charging outlets, and an expansive window for taking in the views. It's not unlike a moving hotel, both in terms of amenities and also potential risk exposure. </p><p><div type="image" title="Amtrak sleeping" height="630" width="840" msid="76591537" hostid="261"></div></p><p>For an idea of sample pricing on a long-distance, popular route down the US West Coast, consider that from Seattle to Los Angeles on the Coast Starlight, one passenger in a Roomette could pay as low as $432; one passenger in a Bedroom would start at $807; and one passenger in a Family Room would go as low as $630.</p><p>These prices apply for the full length of the route and not all passengers travel from the very beginning to the very end of the route. As a result, these prices can vary quite drastically. For example, if traveling only for a portion of the route from Seattle to LA, prices will be far lower than these sample fares.</p><p>A regular seat on the same route starts under $100. But the sleeper options do come with meals, too.</p><p>For cost comparison, you could expect to fly nonstop for about the same cost or less, with advanced notice and flexibility. Obviously, you'd arrive much faster, but for many people who travel the Coast Starlight route, known for its beauty, speed is not the goal.</p><p><a href="https://www.amtrak.com/onboard/meals-dining/cafe-car.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cafe service</a> is available to both coach and sleeping car customers along select routes. When it is available, seating will be closed and offered as carryout only. Travelers may bring items back to their seats or private rooms.</p><p>There are new markers and signage promoting physical distancing leading up to the cafe counter, and protective plastic barriers are being installed at cafe countertops. Amtrak is also temporarily offering <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/onboard/meals-dining/flexible-dining.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">flexible dining service</a> on long-distance routes and encouraging customers in private rooms to opt for room service. Amtrak does not currently, nor did it previously, offer bar cart service. However, customers in private rooms may make beverage orders via an Amtrak attendant.</p><p>If you're considering a trip, <a href="https://media.amtrak.com/2019/10/buy-one-sleeping-accommodation-bring-a-companion-free-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">routes</a> include such destinations as Glacier National Park, the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands National Park, or Disney World. Of course, wherever you disembark, you're on your own to manage your own safety.</p><h2><strong>What extra precautions should I take when riding a train during the pandemic?</strong></h2><p>Dr. Russo — like most public health professionals — advises wearing a mask in any situation in which you might encounter other people, and certainly, that goes for a train environment. Again, direct person-to-person contact is the most typical way the virus is transmitted, and masks help mitigate risk.</p><p>Compared with direct contact with people, your risk will be much lower through exposure to particles that may linger on surfaces within a train. "The virus on surfaces dies off over time — it's not that viable over time on inanimate objects," Dr. Russo says, noting that there is a "small but finite risk from inanimate objects."</p><p>Therefore, you should regularly wash and disinfect your hands and surfaces where the virus could exist on the train, in the station, or elsewhere in the course of your travels.</p><p>"The virus is very susceptible to disinfectant," Dr. Russo says. "So if you want to afford yourself an extra level of protection, wipe any areas down with a disinfectant wipe that your hand touches."</p><p>John Marroni, owner and president of the disaster recovery company National Restoration, which now has a <a href="http://www.nationalcovid19.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dedicated coronavirus arm</a>, agrees. "When boarding a train, you are going to be among people, so first and foremost, wear a mask," he says. "Secondly, always keep hand sanitizer on your person."</p><p>In addition to frequently sanitizing and washing your hands on a train, "Do your very best to make sure you try not to make contact with high-touch areas," Marroni says. He notes that on a train, these areas might include, "doors, handrails, and seats especially — areas with the most frequent human contact."</p><p>Whether or not cloth seats pose a particular danger is not yet fully clear. "According to the CDC, coronaviruses on surfaces and objects naturally die within hours to days. When it comes to any fabric or cloth items, the infectious droplets could penetrate deeper into the fabric due to its porous structure," Dr. Paz says in regards to trains' cloth seats, noting, "however, this is not very well studied."</p><h2><strong>Is train travel safer than airplane travel?</strong></h2><p>Comparing the overall safety of train travel to commercial airplane travel involves taking into account many factors.</p><p>First, unlike trains, airplanes have advanced airflow and filtration systems that make the air much safer: flow rates are high, air supply is pure thanks to HEPA filters, and it's directed in a controlled manner, from ceiling to floor, to limit mixing.</p><p>However, airplane cabins are also smaller enclosed spaces than trains, which can mean closer proximity to more travelers, and greater potential risk exposure. Dr. Paz says the safety of each of these two modes of travel is really going to vary depending on the specifics and the number of the particular travelers involved. </p><p><div type="image" title="Amtrak boarding" height="682" width="909" msid="76591544" hostid="261"></div></p><p>"When comparing a mode of transportation, whether train or airplane travel is safer is dictated largely by the passenger," Dr. Paz says. "By maintaining social distance from others, using face coverings, and frequent hand washing, you can drastically decrease your chances of contracting COVID."</p><h2><strong>What if another train passenger has COVID-19?</strong></h2><p>Let's consider a scenario in which someone else on the train is infected — whether symptomatic and actively coughing and spreading virus particles, or asymptomatic. You could become infected through direct and prolonged contact with that person. For instance, if you were sitting near each other in the same train car.</p><p>However, Dr. Russo notes that the virus is known to settle out of the air relatively rapidly — about one to three hours under experimental conditions and perhaps much less in real-world scenarios — so the air quality is not likely to be a concern if an infected person was on the train, but disembarked, say, the day before.</p><h2>Would a health expert ride on a train?</h2><p>Given the level of exposure to risks through train travel, would our experts travel this way while the pandemic continues?</p><p>"While not ideal, as the lesser of the evils, trains are a moderately safer method of travel during this pandemic," Marroni says, comparing train travel with other public modes of transportation, including the relatively riskier proposition of air travel. "And they are easier to disinfect because the turnover per person is not as frequent as other means of public transportation."</p><p>In the end, his verdict is this: "Yes, all things considered, it's relatively safe — and safe enough that I would travel by train myself, as long as I felt disinfecting protocol was being properly enforced."</p><p>For his part, Dr. Paz is less enthusiastic. "Ideally, the fewer people entering and leaving a train, the better," he says, nothing. "I still recommend that passengers hold on non-essential travel when possible."</p><h2 id="for-more-reporting-on-safe-travel,-click-a-link-below-to-jump-directly-to-related-coverage:">For more reporting on whether it's safe to travel right now, click a link below to jump directly to related coverage:</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/is-flying-safe-right-now-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Is flying safe right now? Experts break down the risks associated with boarding a flight during COVID-19.</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-hotels-safe-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Is it safe to stay in a hotel right now? An infectious disease doctor, a cleaning expert, and hotel reps all share what you should know before you check-in.</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-airbnbs-safe-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Are Airbnbs safe? We spoke to experts, a company representative, and an Airbnb host to share everything you should know before booking someone's home</a>.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/which-is-safer-airbnb-hotels-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Which is safer: Airbnb or hotels? Here's what doctors say</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-rental-cars-safe-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Are rental cars safe to drive right now? We talked to 3 leading experts to find out.</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hotel-precautions-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Staying in a hotel will be very different post-pandemic — here are new safety and cleaning plans and precautions being implemented by every major hotel brand</a></li></ul>

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