The Both-Between Zine, Issue 04: Mutiny on the Coast Starlight

There's a certain kind of person who rides the train in America.

After a very long hiatus, another issue of the Both-Between Zine is finally here! These illustrated, downloadable zines are for paid subscribers only. This issue chronicles my (pre-accident) train trip down the West Coast, a slice of Americana that says as much about our society as it does about the kind of person who rides it.

Once romantic, grand, and futuristic, the image of a sprawling nation connected coast to coast, riding an interstate train is, in much of the nation, now nostalgic at best and nightmarish at worst. The journey was a revealing commentary on class, race, and infrastructure in America. It’s land that claims to admire the archetype of the Wanderer, the rugged individual who moves freely and follows their heart, yet the experience of people who just want to get from one place to another without a car begs otherwise.

Buses and trains are the means of the wanderer who sees themselves as part of the collective; who, whether for cost, excitement, or environmental concerns, is happy to let someone else take the wheel. But this also means you’re along for the ride—and whatever that entails.

There’s a certain kind of person who rides the train in America. I hope you enjoy this adventure.