He was taken aback when I said it took more than two days, so I told him not to do it. I've done that more than once. It can allowed you to enjoy the advantages of train travel while still spending time in your destination. On a train, you can do nothing. If you haven't had time to do nothing lately, taking a train for a few thousand miles may be an incredible luxury, especially if you manage to leave your cell phone and your laptop at home.
Trains run through some beautiful scenery as well as through backyards and industrial districts.
As you sit and watch the landscape, you can get a feel for the country, with its beauty and its warts. If you're tired, you nap. If you're restless you walk around. You can read, work crossword puzzles, watch the scenery, or take in a movie. If you begin to feel cramped in your seat, you can get up and go to the diner for a meal or head up to the dome car for a better view or to chat with fellow passengers.