Whistles, Windows, and Wandering Hearts: Why I Love Riding Trains

My love of trains started when I was just eight. My family boarded a train in Los Angeles, heading to New York City by way of Chicago. It was my first time seeing the country unfold from the comfort of an observation car—with floor-to-ceiling windows turning the landscape into a living movie. That trip stuck with me. Ever since, trains have had a special place in my heart.

Long-distance train travel is unlike anything else. You’re not just getting from point A to B—you’re immersed in the in-between, the places most people fly right over. It’s slow travel, and that’s exactly what makes it so rich.

Here’s why I keep coming back to the rails:

Why I Love Riding Trains

• The ever-changing scenery:
  From coast to coast, the terrain is always shifting. You might start in Southern California with sun-drenched beaches and palm trees, roll through quiet deserts dotted with ghost towns and Joshua trees, then climb into the snow-capped Rocky Mountains, full of deep canyons and dense forests. The Great Plains open up with peaceful farmlands, big skies, and charming small towns. Farther east, the landscape becomes more wooded and hilly, with the soft ridges of the Appalachians giving way to bustling East Coast cities. It's like watching America breathe.
• The sounds and rhythm:
  Growing up in Orangeburg, New York, our house sat right across from train tracks. You’d think the rumbling and whistles would be annoying—but I loved them. That low chugging and distant horn became something soothing, and they still make me smile today.  
• You’re rocked to sleep:
  The train never stops moving, and at night, that gentle sway can feel like a lullaby. Sure, it takes some getting used to—it’s not unlike napping on a slow-moving roller coaster—but eventually the clicks and rattles just become background noise.
• The view is your entertainment:
  Daytime naps are tough when the scenery is this good. With limited Wi-Fi and huge windows, you’ll find yourself glued to the passing world: backyards full of forgotten furniture, rusted cars, laundry on the line—and then, suddenly, a lake hidden between pine trees or a hillside glowing green after rain.
• Tight spaces, cozy vibes:
  Even in a sleeper car, space is snug. You get creative fast—your bed becomes your reading nook, snack zone, and luggage shelf. It’s all part of the charm. That’s why it’s important to pack wisely.
• The people you meet:
  One of my favorite parts of train travel is chatting with fellow passengers in the lounge or dining car. If dining is included with your ticket, expect to be seated with complete strangers. I’ve met Kay, a retired clergy member reuniting with lifelong friends; Frank, who’s hooked on British detective shows (he too was addicted to BritBox as I am); Michael, heading to a campground birthday bash; Conne, a former Australian Air Force officer on a globe-trotting adventure; and Beth, who chooses trains over planes to cut her carbon footprint.
• It opens your eyes to everyday America:
  From scenic routes to rail car trivia, you pick up little things—like which trains have double-decker seating or who serves a real meal versus something microwaved. You get a peek into people’s lives and homes, the layout of towns, the clutter of backyards, and the grandeur of wide-open spaces. You see it all up close.

Capturing the Feeling

I recently tried to photograph the feeling of it all. I caught a train leaving the station in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The cars blurred past in streaks of gold, red, gray, purple, pink, and blue, reflecting in puddles from a recent rain. The sky was a soft blue with a warm wash of orange. The photo ended up winning a prize at the San Diego Fair—but more than that, it captured the exact feeling I chase every time I hear that distant whistle.

Several years ago, my boyfriend and I took our love for trains even further—up into the breathtaking expanse of the Canadian Rockies aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. That journey was nothing short of cinematic. We boarded in Vancouver and traveled first to Kamloops, winding our way through landscapes that felt pulled from a dream—soaring peaks, endless pine forests, and turquoise glacier-fed lakes. Along the way, we marveled at the quiet beauty of Jasper, the charm of Lake Louise, and, of course, the iconic allure of Banff. The panoramic glass-dome coaches gave us front-row seats to the drama of the wild: waterfalls spilling down cliffsides, elk grazing near the tracks, and morning mist curling over emerald valleys. It was truly hard to take a bad picture!

Train travel isn’t just transportation—it’s a full experience. A chance to slow down, take it all in, and connect with the world in a way few other forms of travel allow. It's cozy, a little unpredictable, and full of magic.

And once it gets in your heart, it stays there.