Dynamic Subspace

Tag: Trains

  • GoRuck GR1 26L, an Outstanding Backpack for Travel and Work That Easily Carries a 16″ Laptop

    GoRuck GR1 26L

    As I’ve documented here, here, and here, I continue searching for the perfect backpack. While there may not be one backpack that checks all of my boxes, I think that the GoRuck GR1 (26L) checks the most.

    I purchased the larger 26L version of the GR1 before the fall semester began. It is the most expensive backpack that I’ve ever purchased, but its design, materials, construction, and “Built in the USA” provenance supported the price.

    My original intended use for it was to carry my 16″ Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 laptop, charger, water bottle, coffee thermos, and papers to and from the City Tech campus.

    Then, after my dad was released from the hospital after a back problem, it became a travel companion for overnight train rides to-and-from NYC (along with a simple barrel duffel bag). It carried my laptop, charger, 8″ Samsung Tab Active3 tablet, its charger, an MRE and snacks, 1 liter of water, overnight clothes, and 1 quart Ziploc bag for toiletries.

    So far, it has excelled in both work commuting and long distance train travel. It holds my gear, it’s easy to organize, and it’s constructed tough.

    Below are photos of its pockets and their use.

    GoRuck GR1 26L

    Between the shoulder straps and top hand grab is a pocket that holds my RayBan sunglasses in their case and my reading glasses in a smaller plastic case.

    GoRuck GR1 26L

    The back of the backpack supports breathing and features a smoother synthetic material than the body of the backpack. It’s advertised as being less aggressive on clothes, which I can confirm.

    GoRuck GR1 26L

    Flipping the shoulder straps around makes the “bomb proof” laptop sleeve more easily accessible. It is advertised as holding up to a 16″ laptop.

    GoRuck GR1 26L

    You can see above that the laptop sleeve does indeed hold my 16″ Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 4 with room to spare on its width (i.e., the height of the pocket in relation to the backpack) and just a hair of extra space for its depth (i.e., the width of the pocket in relation to the backpack).

    GoRuck GR1 26L

    The front zippered diagonal pocket extends from the zipper to the bottom of the pack. It can hold a lot! I keep an Apple Airtag and pocket knife in there. The top of the pack has a 2″ x 3″ hook-and-loop patch area, which I attached one of my Scouting patches to. I added a 3.5″ x 4.5″ hook-and-loop MOLLE panel to the bottom area of my GR1 where I affixed my “The Dude Abides” patch.

    GoRuck GR1 26L

    In addition to the MOLLE attachments on the outside of the pack, there is more MOLLE inside for pouches or hook-and-loop panels.

    GoRuck GR1 26L

    On the back interior of the GR1, there’s an elastic panel that can hold a smaller laptop or tablet. I used it to hold my 8″ Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 in a hard case with plenty of room to spare.

    GoRuck GR1 26L

    The front flat interior has two zippered pouches. The top one is smaller but opaque. The bottom one is larger but its contents viewable thanks to the netting.

    GoRuck GR1 26L and Ape Case

    To help with organizing my gear, I dropped the larger half of the yellow, padded Ape Case Cubeze Duo (ACQB 41) with one divider in the bottom of the pack. This creates four areas in the bottom of the pack to keep things from banging around–a thermos, two water bottles, and charging brick for the Lenovo laptop.

    The GR1 doesn’t come with a sternum strap, but I haven’t found that it needs one while walking or climbing stairs. Having one less strap to undo or get caught while dangling is okay with me. It’s also easy to put on and take off. However, depending on my load–specifically with the 16″ Lenovo, I bend over to put on my shoes before donning the pack so that I don’t put too much pressure on the laptop within the pack against my arched back.

    I’m very happy with the GR1 and look forward to carrying it in the days ahead.

  • There and Back Again on Amtrak

    railroad tracks extending to the horizon

    Before we knew about Hurricane Helene, I had planned to visit my folks for two weeks to help out after my dad got out of the hospital for a back ailment. I took Amtrak’s 97 Silver Meteor from NYC to Jesup, Georgia (Sept. 24-25, 2024), and returned via the 98 Silver Meteor from Jesup to NYC (Oct. 8-9, 2024). Here are some pictures of the trains, sleeper car rooms, and meals.

    97 Silver Meteor (NYP to JSP)

    steel trusses holding up the glass roof over a floor with escalators going down

    The 97 Silver Meteor sleeper cars didn’t have a toilet in the room as my previous Amtrak ride from JSP to NYC. Otherwise, the car seemed of newer construction. However, the room door rattled constantly. I should have asked for something to wedge into the door to eliminate that noise (and sleep better as a result). I liked how the in-car sink had turn knobs, which work much better than the push button faucets (either too little water or an explosion of water). Because the dining car was full, I asked for dinner in my room. It came with all the trimmings and was delicious! The worst part of the trip was someone in my car was going to bridge between cars to smoke. They left the door open, smoke entered the car, and set off the smoke alarms in unoccupied rooms and mine when I went to investigate. The culprit did not reveal him or herself.

    amtrak train roomette with seat and sink
    amtrak train roomette with seat occupied by two bags and a pillow
    two seats inside amtrak train roomette
    amtrak train roomette sink folded down for use
    amtrak dinner service white plastic bag
    amtrak dinner service white plastic bag interior with plates wrapped with foil and plastic cup of red wine
    amtrak dinner service on foldout table in roomette--steak, potatoes, vegetables, salad, chocolate cake, roll, and red wine in plastic cup

    98 Silver Meteor (JSP to NYP)

    greetings from jesup georgia mural painted on a brick wall

    The Silver Meteor from JSP to NYP was much like my previous ride from SAV to NYP. The roomette was very similar–toilet in the room, push-button sink controls, older construction, and less vibration noise. I had breakfast in the dining car close to 7:00am. The omelet and fixings hit the spot! The downsides to this ride was that the water pressure was far too high on the sink faucet and the air conditioning was warm despite changing the thermostat.

    welcome to jesup georgia arch and fountain in front of train tracks
    amtrak train station in jesup georgia--a long brick building with a low ranch roof
    two sets of train tracks extended to the horizon and going under an roadway overpass
    a passenger amtrak train approaching the station in jesup georgia
    amtrak roomette seat
    amtrak roomette seat filled with bags, laptop open on foldout table, toilet and sink on the left
    amtrak roomette bunk bed made
    amtrak roomette sink mirror with towels and soap and drinking cups
    amtrak roomette sink with push-button faucet
    amtrak dining car breakfast of omelette, bacon, potatoes, and biscuit on a table with white tablecloth
    view of downtown manhattan skyline from new jersey

  • Riding Amtrak’s Silver Meteor from Savannah to New York City in a Private Roomette, April 2024

    Amtrak Silver Meteor Train, Savannah to Penn Station, NYC.

    I decided to ride Amtrak back home after visiting my folks, because I dislike the indignity of traveling by air in the United States. I’ve had more than my fair share of “random bag checks,” and I disagree with the security theater at TSA checkpoints that does more to insult than protect.

    While a train obviously takes longer than an airplane flight, it provides the individual with a dignified travel experience. You walk from the station to the tracks, board your train, and off you go.

    I opted for a roomette aboard Amtrak’s Silver Meteor so that I could sleep more easily on the overnight train ride. The scheduled trip time was about 14 hours, but the actual trip time was closer to 17. For one-way travel, the cost was only a little more than a plane ticket.

    Overall, I enjoyed the experience. Perhaps because the experience was new, I had trouble staying asleep. When I ride again, I might take a sleep aid like Melatonin to help with my sleep. Also, as others have remarked online, there were delays. My train’s delays meant that I missed the dinner service, and since the train was designated only with dinner and breakfast service, there was no lunch service despite arriving 3 hours late in NYC the next day. Thankfully, I had learned from other train travelers and came prepared with extra water and snacks to tide me over. However, I might pack an MRE for a meal next time to have something more substantial to eat if needed.

    Below are some photos of my trip aboard the Silver Meteor and my roomette. I tried to capture the roomette’s features and amenities as well as demonstrate how much/little leg room there is if you are traveling with another person. Also, this train has a toilet in the roomette–something you would need to negotiate its use if traveling with someone else. Finally, I have some photos of the dining car and the early morning breakfast that I enjoyed (as the dining options are limited, the earlier you go to a meal, the more likely the option you want will still be available).

    Savannah Amtrak Station

    Train tracks at Savannah Amtrak Station
    One of two murals painted inside the Savannah Amtrak Station.
    Two of two murals painted inside the Savannah Amtrak Station.
    Savannah Amtrak Station entrance as seen from train when leaving

    Sleeping Car

    Amtrak Silver Meteor Train, Sleeping Car, Savannah to Penn Station, NYC.
    Amtrak Silver Meteor Train, Sleeping Car hallway, Savannah to Penn Station, NYC.
    Amtrak Silver Meteor Train, Sleeping Car hallway, Savannah to Penn Station, NYC.

    Roomette

    Amtrak Silver Meteor Train, Roomette door, Savannah to Penn Station, NYC.
    Amtrak Silver Meteor Train, Roomette right side seat, Savannah to Penn Station, NYC.
    Amtrak Silver Meteor Train, Roomette left side seat with toilet and sink, Savannah to Penn Station, NYC.

    Roomette Toilet and Folding Sink

    Amtrak Silver Meteor Train, Roomette toilet seat, Savannah to Penn Station, NYC.
    Amtrak Silver Meteor Train, Roomette toilet seat up, Savannah to Penn Station, NYC.
    Amtrak Silver Meteor Train, Roomette sink folded down for use, Savannah to Penn Station, NYC.

    Roomette Interior Door and Window to Hallway

    Amtrak Silver Meteor Train, Roomette sliding door and interior window with curtains pulled, Savannah to Penn Station, NYC.

    Roomette Legroom

    Amtrak Silver Meteor Train, Roomette leg room when sitting straight, Savannah to Penn Station, NYC.
    Amtrak Silver Meteor Train, Roomette leg room legs crossed and relaxed, Savannah to Penn Station, NYC.

    Roomette Folding Table

    Amtrak Silver Meteor Train, Roomette metal folding table, Savannah to Penn Station, NYC.
    Amtrak Silver Meteor Train, Roomette folding table supporting a 16" Lenovo ThinkPad P1, Savannah to Penn Station, NYC.

    Roomette Bunk Bed

    Amtrak Silver Meteor Train, Roomette bunk bed pulled down and made up for sleep, Savannah to Penn Station, NYC.

    Dining Car

    Amtrak Silver Meteor Train, Dining car, Savannah to Penn Station, NYC.
    Amtrak Silver Meteor Train, Dining car breakfast, Savannah to Penn Station, NYC.

    Passing Through Washington, DC

    Jefferson Memorial and Washington Memorial seen from Amtrak passenger train
    Capital Building seen from Amtrak passenger train

    Passing Train

    Side of passing Amtrak passenger train

  • Mural at Pizza Inn, Jesup, GA: The Town That Trains Built

    Mural painted on the side of the Pizza Inn in Jesup, GA. Features a train, bass, deer, flowers, and Georgia Tech's Buzz and the words, "Jesup: The Town That Trains Built."

    One night while visiting my folks, we picked up dinner at the Pizza Inn in Jesup, GA. This mural was painted on the side of the building with the words: “Jesup: The Town that Trains Built.”