Mrs. Coast and I have several times considered a train trip to somewhere in the US. The problem is that they are infrequent, often run way behind schedule, and are not particularly economic. Amtrac has a basic fare rate to which they add the cost of a roomette or whatever they're called, and food which we are told is not the greatest.

In California, if you wish to go to the state capitol, Sacramento, from Los Angeles, you need to take an Amtrak BUS to Bakersfield, and there pick up the train.

But worse, train stations are often in not so great parts of the city, and arrivals are often in the middle of the night, or really early morning. I often think, when looking at the schedules, they really don't want passengers for long distance, concentrating instead on commuter runs.