Not so in North America, where the railroad still exudes an aura of romanticism. If you remember Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train or Some Like it Hot, then the sheer scale and grandeur of American railways is intriguing. South Dakota is the only state without an Amtrak link. The standard and comfort of trains varies greatly, but the Coast Starlight is probably the most impressive route. Running from LA to Seattle, the trains offer cinema lounges, libraries, entertainment and frequent offers of complimentary food.
Passengers are free to move around the train.
The network covers vast distances, notably the three-day journey from Toronto to Vancouver on the Canadian, which passes through the Rockies. Silver and Blue Class, the sleeper service, is considerably more expensive but offers various extra comforts and privileges. A cheaper option is to take the Hudson Bay north to Canada's sub-Arctic regions. The service will carry a kayak for you and stops at places otherwise inaccessible by overland routes. Both Amtrak and Via Rail offer it on their sites.