Elk County to LA

[W. Gray]

At one time it was possible to board a train at the Cherry and Monroe Street depot in Howard; at the Cherry and Union Street depot in Oak Valley; at the Sedgwick Street depot in Elk Falls; at the Fourth Street depot in Longton; at the Railroad Street and Main depot in Grenola; at the depot between Biddle and Main in Moline; and even with a flag at Upola or Fiat and head for Los Angeles.

Today, if one wanted to travel the 1,530 miles from Elk County to Los Angeles by train, one would first have to get to Newton, 97 miles north of Howard.

Taking the Southwest Chief one-way from Newton to LA this month would cost $161 to $315 for a coach seat and $717 for a private roomette. The duration of the trip would be 31 hours 30 minutes according to Amtrak and that would be if the train was on time, which seems to be a dream.

Airfare from Wichita would run from about $350 for a few hours travel time.