[mynameisash]

A few years back, we flew to SEA->MSP to visit family but opted for Amtrak for the return trip. It did happen to save us a couple hundred dollars and the circus that is TSA & airport security, but it was 36 hours. When we were moving, it was a reasonable speed (certainly nowhere close to a TGV). The problem was that we had multiple stops, such as maybe four hours sitting in Spokane.

I would happily spend 12hrs on a train to do that trip -- even 18hrs overnight -- but 36 is way too much.

[musicale]

The local 1-hour stops and lengthy freight train delays really slow things down drastically for Amtrak. If the train was just moving all the time it would be a lot less painful.

The trains are stinky and dumpy, usually with absurdly high fares, but if they kept moving they would be tolerable.

The rail pass is nice because it allows for stopovers, but the Amtrak trips in between are going to be a drag.

Perhaps some trains should remake themselves to be more like cruises, with luxury amenities (delicious food and drink, gym/exercise classes/spa/wave pool, on-train entertainment, live DJ/music and dance floor, interesting lectures and debates, celebrity meet & greet, arts and crafts, on-train library and book discussions, games and social activities, movie theater, etc.) so you wouldn't actually want to get off the train and you wouldn't care about the horrible delays. There could be stopovers at interesting places, and local tours. Or maybe there could be "work cars" with comfortable desks/chairs, high-speed internet access, coffee and snack service, etc..

[blacktriangle]

Ouch the fairs are real, depending on how far out you plan air travel is often cheaper.