This week, I had to do some travel for work, and rather than drive, we took the train. It was an amazing way to travel, much less expensive than flying, and it makes me wish that flying was more like train travel. Not just the ability to keep my shoes on during the entire process, but the amount of space was incredible. Definitely a comfortable ride. That said, it's also significantly slower than flying. When we were leaving Philadelphia, we met some people who were taking the train all the way to New Orleans. Now that's a long train trip. But I'm sure it saves some money and there are people who are afraid to fly or perhaps can't fly for whatever medical reason.
What really impresses me is the old train stations. Union Station in D.C. is gorgeous (at least part of it is) and it just makes me think of the days when people put on their fanciest clothes to travel by train, because it was the only way to travel. I guess there is something romantic about the railroad, and it's clearly an important part of our history. Doesn't mean I'm going to be taking the train to New Orleans anytime soon though!