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   Rocketman (slothrop@chaos.social)'s status on Wednesday, 15-Jan-2025 20:46:03 JST Rocketman

   I’m on a short business trip to Vienna. Just hopped on a train, will arrive in under 4 hours.

   It’s nice and quiet. Fairly new rolling stock, same as the new Caltrain vehicles.

   Perfect for getting some work done!

   • Embed this notice
     Rocketman (slothrop@chaos.social)'s status on Wednesday, 15-Jan-2025 22:58:36 JST Rocketman

     in reply to

     Recommendation: live somewhere that has direct trains to Vienna.

   • Embed this notice
     Rocketman (slothrop@chaos.social)'s status on Wednesday, 15-Jan-2025 23:47:56 JST Rocketman

     in reply to

     So I'm travelling almost 400km today. But I've essentially had a normal work day. In a few minutes I'll arrive, with the preparations for tomorrow's workshop all but finished.

     I got loads of work done. The only time that went into the trip itself was buying tickets, throwing a few clothes in a backpack, and cycling to the station.

     Trains are fucking awesome. 🤩

     Did I mention that the train trip is actually half an hour faster than going by car?

   • Embed this notice
     Rocketman (slothrop@chaos.social)'s status on Thursday, 16-Jan-2025 00:32:04 JST Rocketman

     in reply to

     …aaaand, short subway ride later, I’m in my hotel room. 25 minutes after arriving in the city.

     How are cars more comfortable, again?

   • Embed this notice
     Rocketman (slothrop@chaos.social)'s status on Thursday, 16-Jan-2025 06:58:02 JST Rocketman

     in reply to

     • Mishell Baker gladly

     @mishellbaker Originally a rhetorical question.

     Today’s trip was ideally suited for a train: a short solo business trip, medium distance, no luggage, no kids, good public transport on both ends.

     But I’m well aware that life is a little more subtle than this. That said, for the past 2 decades, I’ve done pretty much all of my business travel by rail. And I believe that most drivers vastly overestimate the car’s comfort, and underestimate that of the train.

   • Embed this notice
     Mishell Baker gladly (mishellbaker@wandering.shop)'s status on Thursday, 16-Jan-2025 06:58:04 JST Mishell Baker gladly

     in reply to

     @slothrop Rhetorical question, or do you want to know?

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     Rocketman (slothrop@chaos.social)'s status on Thursday, 16-Jan-2025 07:17:17 JST Rocketman

     in reply to

     • Mishell Baker gladly

     @mishellbaker Yes, that’s exactly the sort of nuances I have in mind.

   • Embed this notice
     Mishell Baker gladly (mishellbaker@wandering.shop)'s status on Thursday, 16-Jan-2025 07:17:18 JST Mishell Baker gladly

     in reply to

     @slothrop I adore trains. As an immunocompromised person, cars are safer for me, and also I live in an area where public transportation is largely terrible and crowded with severely mentally (and physically) ill people. So yes, there are nuances.

     In a perfect world, and in good health, I would take trains everywhere. Some of my best travel memories are on trains.