A few years ago, my parents took a train tour through the Pacific Northwest. They said it was fantastic. As you thought, you see sights you can't see at 30,000 feet.

On the other hand, my wife and I kicked around the idea of traveling by rail to visit my parents (who live in Indiana; we're in Virginia). With two small kids at the time, once we factored in the time to travel - close to 24 hours - and the need for sleep berths, food, etc. the cost of a ticket was equal to that of an airplane trip. As romantic as train travel is, it just isn't cost effective as a way to get from point A to point B.

Oh yes took this train trip thought it would be an adventure but didn't see any scenery because we only traveled at night, winter, not much to see, I'm with you like the laundry scenes myself .i.e go through Pittsburgh! Oh yes, had my tennis shoes stolen from my luggage, saw a girl wearing them as we got off the train! What the heck she looked like she needed them more than me. Conversation...I'd rather not! I get enough life stories told to me when I'm in the line at the bank!

I like all of your articles but thought this one on train ads was particularly good. Thanks for doing such a great job keeping us entertained as well as informed.

Richard Phillips

I freely admit to being a railfan or more correctly rail historian, not as we call them, a GERF (Glassy Eyed Railfans), I love and support rail travel, and feel Amtrak is doing a credible job. However, the Amtrak of today is no comparison to travel in the days depicted in the ads. Rail travel in the US was a money losing proposition since the mid 1920s, and the railroads virtually gave up trying after the advent of the Interstate Highway system. Amtrak was born out of the government desire to maintain some form of rail travel.

Amtrak is generally at the mercy of the freight railroads whom it travels over, delays for freight are fairly common, service is limited. Sleeping car service, diners and all are in short supply.

It is a great way to travel if you have the time, you can meet a lot of interesting people on the trains, you will see many parts of America that you'll never see at 30,000 feet. It can be relaxing, enjoyable, and frustrating. Go and ride, enjoy, don't plan a tight schedule, as it is quite possible you'll never manage to keep it.

...on my way to Korea. It's the setting for a scene in my novel in progress Forbidden Dreams. Let me know if you'd like to read it.