As passengers glide along the scenic route of the Coast Starlight train, they are not merely rushing from Seattle to Portland at a brisk 80 mph; they are also embarking on an educational journey steeped in American history and culture.
The Trails & Rails program, a collaborative effort involving Amtrak, the National Park Service, and Texas A&M University, enhances the travel experience by allowing volunteer guides to share fascinating insights about the landscapes and landmarks seen from the train.
In 2025, the program will celebrate its 25th anniversary, and its popularity continues to grow.
Among the 46 dedicated guides involved, volunteers like Stuart Snyder bring a wealth of knowledge to the experience.
Snyder, who has volunteered with Trails & Rails for 19 years, notes the charm of the program, akin to having a rolling national park right on board the train, complete with educational resources including specialized stamps for travelers’ National Park Passports.
The Coast Starlight route held the distinction of welcoming 40% of the 120,900 passengers who engaged with the program in 2024, showcasing its appeal and effectiveness of mixing travel with learning.
Travelers can encounter guides aboard the Coast Starlight every day between late April and late September.
Further options to explore include guides on the Empire Builder between Seattle and Wenatchee, offering journeys that take place on specific days of the week.
During a recent trip on the Coast Starlight, guides Snyder and Bill Woodward encountered technical difficulties with their microphone system, which is meant to help passengers in the lounge car hear their historical narratives more clearly.
Despite the challenges, both maintained their enthusiasm, engaging passengers by sharing intriguing details about the locations they passed by.
“This is the Lewis River, folks, but it’s not named for Meriwether Lewis—rather, it’s named for a local trapper, A. Lee Lewis,” Snyder asserted, offering educational anecdotes along the route.
His commentary turned the train ride into more than just a passage; it became a living history lesson highlighting local geography and stories of significant events and figures.
As he transitioned through the lounge car, Snyder was joined by Woodward, a history professor who has been a Trails & Rails volunteer for two years.
The duo’s approach included both visual aids in glossy photographs and a well-curated binder filled with facts that they referred to while presenting their stories to passengers.
Sydney Rometsch, a park ranger who manages visitor center operations for the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, emphasized that each ride presents the opportunity for guides to personalize their narratives.
Rometsch noted that while there are suggested stops to mention, guides can tailor their information, making each train journey a unique experience for travelers.
To successfully navigate the challenges accompanying the fast-paced nature of train travel, guides participate in classroom training and field trips aimed at enhancing their presentation skills.
Tours of relevant landmarks enable them to create more meaningful connections to the sites they present, allowing the guides to provide richer contexts for passengers.
An essential aspect of guiding entails pacing; guides practice highlighting smaller landmarks leading up to larger attractions to ensure that they relay information effectively before racing past these unique sites.
Popular topics among the guides include compelling lore such as the infamous D.B. Cooper skyjacking, where the unidentified criminal vanished with a significant ransom amount.
However, each guide has their personal favorite story to share.
Snyder enjoys discussing the legacy of Billy Frank Jr., a Nisqually tribal member who championed Native fishing rights, contributing to contemporary environmental advocacy.
Meanwhile, Eagan, a long-serving volunteer coordinator, particularly favors recounting a moment in geological history when Mount Rainier erupted, impacting the landscape of Puget Sound and creating the Kent Valley.
Additional guides highlight lesser-known yet intriguing figures, such as George Washington, a pioneering African American who founded Centralia.
The camaraderie among guides blossoms through interacting with a diverse range of passengers who board the train, hailing from various countries across the globe.
While the enthusiasm for historical details typically resonates with many, not all guests share the same excitement.
Eagan recalls an incident when a passenger loudly expressed discontent at the idea of a guided tour but later changed his tune, acknowledging the value of the stories shared by the end of their trip.
This anecdote illustrates the unpredictable yet delightful encounters that guides experience while working with the curious hearts eager to learn.
The Trails & Rails program continues to cultivate connections between passengers and the rich tapestry of history woven into the landscapes they traverse.
With every journey taken, and with every tale told, the program leaves an indelible mark on those aboard, fostering a shared appreciation for the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Pacific Northwest.
image source from：chronline
