Last fall while visiting my sister Chris, she told me that the old Raleigh Seaboard Coastline station was now The Shops at Seaboard consisting of a restaurant, pottery shop, and a nursery. We went there to eat lunch and look at all the beautiful squash which many people were buying for Halloween decorations. I don't know where the new Union Station is, but maybe I'll find out on the next trip. I highly recommend the restaurant. One can hear train sounds over the PA system while eating...pretty cool.

It's been a long time since my family took the Silver Star from Raleigh down to Winter Park, FL (Orlando suburb) to visit my grandparents. My wife and I were recently in Winter Park and the train station is beautiful and hasn't changed very much. It's right in the middle of town. Winter Park is a very beautiful little city very much like Naples, FL.  What an experience it was to spend the night on the train in a sleeper car. I have taken the train from Raleigh north to New London, CT as well to get back to the Sub Base while I was in the Navy. When we lived in Oregon, I took the Coast Starlight which runs between San Diego and Seattle. I took it when I left active duty in San Diego and headed back home to Bend, OR.  Train travel today is so much more expensive than air travel, but it's worth it once just for the experience. Being able to walk around enjoying the scenery, having a drink in the bar car, or enjoying the food in the restaurant car is a great experience if you can afford it. 

After we left the old train station we headed past Peace College to the Krispy Kreme Donut Shop to buy a dozen donuts.  I ate my share. Then after picking up the donuts we drove all around the historic downtown area to view many beautiful homes. It's really wonderful how so many homes have been restored with loving care, and I was really impressed.