Yesterday I took my first ride on ICE, Germany’s high-speed train line, which routinely travels at speeds of over 300 kilometers (or 186 miles) per hour. The trip between Munich and Nuremberg took one hour, which is roughly half the time it takes to drive. As I was watching the scenery whip by, I couldn’t sense that we were actually going very fast. Sure, my eyes couldn’t rest long on a single object, but the horizon line unfolded at what felt like a normal pace. Then the track ran alongside the Autobahn and man, did we leave those cars in the dust. Best of all, it was as quiet as a whisper inside the car. Really, truly a pleasure.  You can get a sense of how fast that baby goes–and the videographer’s reaction–with this video.

Q: I’m planning a train trip west to Montana aboard the Empire builder and I’m wondering if there are any restrictions on bringing food/alcohol on the train. 

A: I contacted Amtrak and the answer is It Depends. Passengers with tickets for sleeper car travel are allowed to bring food and alcohol on board as long as they eat and drink in their compartment.  Coach and sleeper car passengers can bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages in the upper level of the Sightseer Lounge Car. But if you want to eat or drink in the dining car or the lower level of the lounge car, you’re limited to what’s on Amtrak’s menu.Â