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I ride Amtrak quite a bit. I like trains and don't like planes. If you approach with the right attitude, it can be quite enjoyable. Not quite like the golden age, but still can be a very pleasant way to travel. Book a compartment. Not cheap, but worth it and includes all meals. Go to breakfast, lunch, and dinner and see who you meet. Spend some time in the lounge car. Make an effort to visit with people. Relax. Read. Walk through the train. Don't be in a hurry, and don't worry about delays. Learn how it all works (seems like no one under the age of 50 can read a RR timetable).
Plan stops off the train for a day or two in some interesting place. One I can highly recommend is the Empire Builder out of Chicago, to East Glacier lodge for a couple nights, then on out to the west coast. Down to LA via the Coast Starlight (compartment gives access to the Parlor car if you like grapes). (I don't but the wife does). Then Southwest Chief to Williams and Grand Canyon. Then on back to Chicago, or wherever. All by train. Or come across the Sierras and Rockies on the Zephyr (a far cry from the vista domed original, but the scenery hasn't changed). Or stop anywhere along the route and fly home. Lots of options. You can figure out how to get just about anywhere without needing a car. Thats part of the fun.
DG
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