[Tail Gunner John]

You can still take the California Zephyr from Chicago to San Francisco. Breathtaking scenery through the Rockies and Sierras. 85mph across the plains. I've never seen this train run late or have any type safety issues.

With sleeping car arrangements there is no finer way to travel. Next to me the biggest long distance rail fan I knew of was Ronald Reagan. Reagan always traveled by train until presidential politics made it unfeasible.

Another plus; you pay half the taxpayer pays the other. This is the only way I've ever been able to elbow my way up to that public teat. Shoot, if its there, why not?

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

I've never seen this train run late or have any type safety issues.

The California Zephyr? Are you crazy? It's notorious as one of the worst on-time records in all of Amtrak, which is saying something. The on-time record for September was 5%. YTD is 22.3%. They went nearly a year from mid 06 to mid 07 with a record of 0% on-time arrivals. Amtrak has its record here.