[sphinx]

I enjoy taking the train when an opportunity arises. But it usually takes longer than driving. It's always more expensive than driving and much more expensive if travelling with the family. And I generally have to rent a car at the other end. So I rarely take the train.

I suppose when I'm older and my kids are out of college and fully launched, I'll be able to take the train to visit them (on the odd chance that they live in an Amtrak city), have them pick me up, and have the use of their car while I visit. I will enjoy riding the train under those conditions.

[SoCal Pubbie]

Sometimes it’s actually CHEAPER to go by train. For example, with gas as expensive as it is today, I can go from my house in South Orange County to the downtown LA Library and back cheaper using Metrolink and Metrorail than driving when you figure the cost of fuel and parking. That’s not even considering wear and tear for the mileage. Now taking two people along is a different story.

Obviously the circumstances like these are limited. Plus there are probably tax monies supporting the rail systems. Then again that’s true of the freeways also.