Like others, I have several favorites:

BC Caribou Dayliner from North Vancouver to Lilloet - what amazing scenery. At one point, one of the train crew invited to the vesitbule so I could look down and see the salmon spawning in a stream.

1999 NRHS Convention Feather River Express. My only trip through the Feather River Canyon. The scenery was so nice, I wasn't too upset a diesel was subsituted for the UP 3985.

2005 NRHS Convention Western Star trip with 700 & 4449 from Portland to Wishram. Riding through the Columbia River Gorge behind two of my favorite steam locomotives was wonderful.

1988 City of New Orleans. Enjoyed flirting with several attractive young women on the train.

A number of rides on the Broadway Limited. It was at its best in the 1980s with the F-40s and heritage equipment and the track had been rebuilt by Conrail. The last time I rode (in August 1995, about a month before it was discontinued), I had a delicious dinner.

Amtrak's California Zephyr between Denver and Salt Lake City. The most spectacular scenery anywhere on Amtrak's system. The dining car was a disappointment, unfortunately.

South Shore My favorite commuter train with a fascinating variety of communities, industries, mulitple track running on the former IC and in street running further east.

CalTrain - Most eclectic collection of depots anywhere.

VIA Chaleur. When I rode in 1988, the MLW Alco FPAs were still in use. Pleasant coastal scenery along the Gaspe Peninsula. Unlike Montreal & Quebec, very people speak English, so I had fun trying to remember my high school French.

But I guess my all-time favorite is the Cumbres & Toltec. I have been on it three times. Last year I rode a Moonlight Dinner special. The evening trip from Antonito to Osier offered new vista with the low sun light. After dinner the landscape was lit up by the full moon.