The same magazine that was mentioned at the start of this thread later on judged Illinois to be the best railroad state, so "Most Scenic" is not only a matter of opinion, it apparently doesn't matter at all with some people. I'd second the notion mentioned earlier that what looks scenic from a photographer's perspective may not seem that way from the train or track's perspective. A stretch of track with multiple reverse curves and cuts and tunnels and perhaps a nice mountain backdrop can frame up nice in the camera, but from the cab it can look like a tree tunnel or trough of dirt. And in many cases, the more scenic spots are far from the nearest "civilian" access. I had a UP engineer once tell me that he saw stuff on his runs between Hinkle and Spokane and Spokane and Eastport that would blow most railfans away because only railroaders saw these isolated places. He later blew a gasket when he saw some of my photos from such places, some taken from high on a canyon rim or hilltop affording a view that even he couldn't see from his cab. But yes, these places where you generally have to walk a couple miles from the nearest crossing or maintainer's road or 4x4 trail can often be the most rewarding in terms of scenery. And other times, the great scenery is shoot-able right from the pavement! I won't claim what's "best," but in terms of personal favorites, I agree with David Smith on the UP (SI) between Bonners Ferry and Moyie Springs (especially when you get the Selkirks in the background), and with Hepkema and everyone else on certain parts of eastern Washington. But to be more specific on the latter, BNSF's Lakeside Sub, even in the coulees, looks pretty bland after you've hiked UP's Palouse River Canyon from one end to the other. Even the UP from Wells south through the potholes and craters and basalt-rimmed lakes turns my crank more than BNSF over near I-90 and U.S. 395. Could ramble on about Kicking Horse and the Windermere Sub and other places, but no point in it.