美国的铁路网在十九世纪中叶经历了它的鼎盛时期之后便逐渐衰败。如今幸存下来的铁路已为数不多，而且年久失修，路况很糟。现在，火车主要用来运送货物。不过，乘火车旅行非常舒适，可观赏沿途的自然风光，了解各地的民族风情。但是，火车的运行速度太慢慢，从纽约至旧金山需时三天。另外，火车票价并不比飞机票便宜。             
      Trains The rail network in the USA is not good enough.Many routes simply have to be traveled by road or air. The routes that are covered, moreover, have very few trains on them(e.g.Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, one train per day).By way of comparison, the journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco(about 400 miles:645 kilometers) takes about one hour by plane, nine hours by bus and about ten hours by train.The well-traveled East Coast route from Boston to Washington, however, is fast enough, comfortable, and has a frequent service.             
      Most of the long-distance trains are run by Amtrak, a nationawide Government-sponsored body(政府资助机构）, which owns the trains and tries very hard. However, for reasons not best known to us all, Amtark does not own the tracks that the trains run on. These are owned , generally, by private companies. On some routes , therefore, the tracks are in poor condition, and the trains, as a result, are often late.              

      Tickets and Reservations             

      Traveling by train in the USA is rather like traveling by air. For example, it is advisable on many routes, especially away from the East Coast, to buy your ticket in advance-most travel agents display Amtrak signs, and you             
can buy tickets from them. Some long-distance train are "reservatons required" trains; and you can make a reservation at the same time as buying your ticked(This can sometimes be done by phone). Having a reservation, however, does not mean that you are given a particular seat. It simply guarantees(保证)you a seat on the train-so, if you want to be sure of sitting with family or friends, get there early if you are boarding a teminus.(You may even have             
to line up to the platform)(站台), or wait in a lounge(候车室), as at an airport. )On some long-distance routes, particular in summer, it is a good idea to book well in advance. If trains are booked up no extra coaches(铁路客车)             
are added-there aren't any. And, of course, if you want sleeping accommoodation, you have to reserve that.             

      You Luggage             

      One thing you should know is that, again as at an airport, it is possible at larger stations and for longer journeys to check in any baggage you will not need with you on the journey.It then reappears at the other end. (If y             
our luggage is large , you may be somewhat forced to check it in.)             

      facilities(设施) on Board             

      Once you get on , the trains are usually very comfortable, spacious(宽敞的) and relaxing, though extremely slow.             
      Smoking is often not allowed in the seating accommodation. (It is allowed,funnily enough, in the bus-room, which can be quite spacious, at least on the older trains, with the toilet seperate from the washing facilities and seats to sit on if you have to wait to get into the toilet. There are often separate bathrooms for men and women.) Smoking is also allowed , unfortunately for non-smokers, in the dining car, in bars.             
      The dining-cars(餐车) don't do a bad job, and you can often get drinks and snacks(小吃) all day long in the bar-car. Note , however , that the alcohol regulations of the state you are passing through apply also on the train.             

      In spite of obvious weaknesses, them , Amtrak offers the possiblilty of covering large distances in comfort and of seeing all the country in between rather than just a couple of airports at either end. However, train travel             
is not necessarily cheaper than air travel , especially if the airline happen to be offering cheap rates on the route.