Recently, Matt Barrow posted:

With the interstate highways having mostly 75MPH speedlimits
(read:85-90 cruising), in the west, you can beat any Amtrak. And you
get to stop WHERE you want, WHEN you want. Or, if you're one of those
touchy-feeley, let's all cram together for a group hug, well then
Amtrak is probably just your speed. :~)

If you're driving, you have to concentrate on the other inhabitants of the
road, and can't sit back with a cool one and watch the scenery. We
travelled in their first-class cabins, which are quite comfortable. With
their vacation packages, you can also get off and book yourself on another
train. We spent a week in Santa Fe, a few days in Flagstaff (where there
are some hard-core train addicts), and then continued on to L.A.

Now, if sightseeing is your thing, one of those scenic rail trips
would be much superior to the Amtrak cattle-cars.

If cattle cars are your concern, NOTHING compares to flying coach. But,
you'll beat AmTrak by a good margin. ;-)

Neil