This summer, instead of flying back from a vacation, I decided to book my family passage on Amtrak's Empire Builder, and Coast Starlighter trains, which traveled from Glacier National Park, Montana to Portland Oregon, and then from Portland to Oxnard.

I did this because I am concerned that travel by train may become a thing of the past, and I wanted my children to experience this charming and unique, albeit slow method of seeing the country. It seems so ridiculous, with the cost and limited supply of gasoline for autos, and the crowds, frustrations, time and expense of flying, that Americans don't insist on better run trains.

Travel from London to Paris on a new high speed train in just over two hours.More powerful trains and dedicated high grade track are part of the reason for improved journey times.Europeans believe trains offer better space and comfort to work, and for companies that are trying to make their operations carbon-neutral, rail represents an attractive option.Air travel produces four times the emissions of rail.Why does the US remain the laggard?My husband and daughter on a recent trip scooted across Taiwan at 180 mph on a bullet train.

Amtrak trains do not run on time, ever. Expect delays, and don't have somewhere to be within 4 hours of your estimated time of arrival. We were supposed to be home by 7 but didn't get in until 11pm, and we're told that was pretty normal.In fact, Amtrak won't let you book a connection less than two hours apart, as they are confident you will miss your connecting train.

The first leg was from Glacier to Portland overnight. We had two "sleepetts" which are tiny rooms that just hold two people each; a bunk bed drops down from the ceiling when you want to sleep, with a shower down the hall just for the use of the "sleeper" people. The shower was as big as one in a home, with a cupboard of fluffy towels, soaps and shampoos in a small dressing room - surprisingly really clean and nice.

The next morning we were given a great breakfast of croissants, coffee, yogurt and fresh fruit in the dining car. In Portland we walked around and went to Powell's Bookstore, one of the largest bookstores in the country.We re-boarded and continued on in a "family" room on the "Starlighter" train. The room was bigger, but the shower was just for us in our room, over the commode! So you had to sit on the toilet with your knees banging on the door and get everything inside the bathroom all wet - yucky!

The food in the dining car was wonderful, full waiter service with white linens, and a great, ever changing view out the large windows. Amtrak also provided the kids with portable DVD players stocked with 10 movies and 10 television shows, I was hoping they would read all the way home but that didn't happen! But at least they didn't quarrel...

On the other hand, those who opted for the "bus experience" where you sit up in a seat all night, that looked hideous. Mothers were nursing babies, diapers were being changed on the hallway floor, food was spilled everywhere, the travelers looked haggard, and it smelled BAD in those cars!

For the price I would recommend two of the little rooms instead of one big one. (Our train trip cost approximately as much as it did to fly - 6 hours by air, 60 by rail, and included meals.)It is a great way to take it easy, pamper yourself, and watch the world go by.There is a porter who will graciously bring you complimentary snacks, extra pillows and blankets, and happily chat with you on any subject.Each afternoon there was a wine and cheese party that was well attended and enjoyable.