I've never taken the train in the US but I have in Europe and I loved it. Yes, it was boring at times, just like taking a long flight but otherwise I enjoyed looking at the countryside, having a chance to read and being able to sleep (which I can't do driving or on an airplane).

We did it years ago- when I was in Junior high. We went from Flagstaff to Peoria IL. Yes it was long. It was neat tho b/c I remember one stop in New Mexico there were vendors right on the train platform selling jewelry etc. We did it this way instead of flying b/c my parents wanted us to be able to see more of the country which we wouldn't be able to do by flying. Yes, the dining cars were expensive.

In europe a lot. Extended and commuter.

Here I have only taken for shorter trips between Mi and Chicago and Mi and toronto. Price wise you can find a decent deal and for a trip to Chicago it takes about the same time as driving but then you don't have to worry about a car and parking in the city, which can be a pain and cost money.

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Well, we went this past weekend and here is my list of pros and cons. (We went without the kids.)

Pros
We didn't have to pay the $20 a day parking fee at the hotel at the other end.
We could read without getting car sick.
Dh worked the whole way on his computer (the plug is right next to the chair).
It's comfortable.
Beautiful scenery.
No traffic.
Bathrooms and food onboard (we packed our own food in).
Hot coffee and tea available.

Cons
It was late both ways and our 14 hrs turned in 17 1/2 hours.
It's not a great way to travel with kids as kid's often do better in car seats. The whole way back this poor 10 month old was screaming (much to his mother's embarrassment). She said if he was strapped in a carseat in the backseat, he would have been sound asleep but not sitting on her lap.
It was noisy. There were a lot of university students on board all talking on their cell phones at once. I heard things I didn't want to hear!
It tends to be more expensive than driving but we earned enough points (from dh commuting by train) to travel for free.

I didn't see this post earlier, so I started a new post in chitchat, asking for ideas on making it go smoother for me this time. I didn't get any replies.
I went without my husband. My kids were 2, 10 11 and almost 15. My mother and brother(17) also went. I think everyone had there own suitcase, expecpt two of the kids. Everyone also had a backpack. I brought an umbrella stroller. It was too much. The little one needed to be carried quite a bit, and noone could help me. My little cried for a good portion of the trip. I didn't have any problem with noise from other people. The older kids had a ball. I brought food, but my aunt had sent money for us to splurge on the train. So we did buy some food. I even took the 10 and 11 year old down to the dining train one time. I will probably take another trip from MI to MN and I am hoping it will go smoother this time, since the little one will be almost 4. Also, I am packing much lighter, no stroller. Me and the older girls can share a suitcase, and my son can pack his little sisters clothes in with his. Everyone can still have their own backpack, but this time they will hold their activities, plus their snacks in thier own bag. I will have the little ones stuff in my bag. Light on the makeup, and I will buy my toiletries at Target when I get there. Plus, I think I will do a fanny pack instead of a purse. One of the things I will bring to entertain the little one is real paper dolls. I never let her play with paper ones. Only magnetic cardboard ones. I know that sounds backwords, but it is a real treat for her.

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I have nothing to declare except my genius."
- Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) upon arriving at U.S. customs 1882

For us the train tickets were cheaper. But I would never take them all on a plane anyway.

__________________
I have nothing to declare except my genius."
- Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) upon arriving at U.S. customs 1882