If a train trip to Yosemite National Park is on your travel wish list, then you’ll be happy to know that this Amtrak route just got a little bit more accessible. Early this fall the first of seven new Siemens Venture trainsets was placed into service on this popular route. These accessible rail cars feature oversized windows, larger seats with more legroom and USB ports for every passenger. Access features include wider aisles, accessible weatherproof connections between cars, and larger accessible lavatories. Ramps will also be built at the stations to allow for independent access — without wheelchair lifts — to the cars. These new trainsets will replace the aging double-decker cars formerly assigned to the route.

The San Joaquins route runs through the Central Valley, with connections available to Yosemite National Park in Merced and Fresno. For more information about planning an accessible rail journey to Yosemite, visit emerginghorizons.com/a-wheelchair-accessible-yosemite-railroad-excursion. And for details on how to explore Yosemite without a car visit emerginghorizons.com/explore-wheelchair-accessible-yosemite-without-a-car.