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One mode of travel I recently tried after leaving the military was rail transportation. I have flown on all manner of aircraft; I have driven or ridden in all types of trucks, cars, and combat vehicles. But I had only limited experience on trains. Of course, I have used the subway in major cities like Seoul, Chicago, and Atlanta. Of course, I was even a member of Operation Life Saver when I was in high school, which spreads awareness of train safety. Trains were never a glorious means of travel or a childhood wish, but I still wanted to give it a chance.

You might be thinking about all the issues with train travel. Cramped conditions, no food, or long travel times. However, my hope is that this article opens your mind to the possibilities of train travel, especially as a photographer. You might be surprised at the benefits. We will discuss the logistics of a train trip (I went on the California Zephyr route) with an elevated aesthetic; we create an understanding that justifies the "slow" commute as a strategic choice for high-end art.

There is a distinct discipline to the "slow" commute that a 35,000-foot flight simply cannot replicate. As a photographer, speed is often the enemy of observation. When we rush, we miss the subtle shifts in light across the Nebraska plains or the way the Colorado River carves through Glenwood Canyon. Taking pictures from a train will give you far more opportunities for beautiful landscapes and also, if you have a model to work with, an unrushed photoshoot that planes don’t offer. Also, since you're not driving or cramped in a vehicle, you can take the scenic photos you want to take as the world passes by you.

For the past few years, I attempted to trade the sterile efficiency of the airport for the rhythmic, intentional pace of the rails. I bought a ticket in a roomette car from Chicago to San Francisco on the California Zephyr. From the vast farmlands of the Midwest to crossing the Rockies west of Denver, and then passing through the rugged Sierra Nevadas. The experience was good enough for me to then purchase a ticket from a closer rail station in Illinois to Denver. I found that the train isn't just a mode of transport; it’s a moving studio.

Why Rail?

• The Safety Multiplier: According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, rail travel is dramatically safer than driving and operates at near-zero fatality rates comparable to commercial air travel. While passenger cars and light trucks cause tens of thousands of deaths and millions of injuries annually on U.S. highways, riding passenger rail is roughly 20 times safer per mile than driving a personal vehicle.
• Where the Real Risk Lies: Internal train safety inside the carriage is exceptionally high. Nearly all rail-related incidents in the U.S. stem from external factors. Specifically, vehicle collisions at passive grade crossings or unauthorized track trespassing. You are very unlikely to have an onboard accident. Also, I was on a train that had a medical emergency. The conductor just stopped the train, and an ambulance drove up to take the passenger to the hospital. Yes, it delayed the train for an hour, but at least we didn’t have to land, deboard a plane, or wait in an airport (I just waited in my roomette and read a book to pass the time). We also didn’t have to look for a hospital in an unfamiliar town while on a long road trip. In Europe and Asia, high-speed networks like Japan’s Shinkansen (Bullet Train) or Europe’s TGV/AVE fleets set world-class safety records. Japan's Shinkansen, for instance, has carried billions of passengers over six decades with zero passenger fatalities due to train derailments or collisions.
• No "2-Hour Early" Penalty: Unlike airlines, which require passengers to arrive 90 to 120 minutes before departure for baggage drops, security lines, and gate closures, train travel typically requires arriving just 15 to 30 minutes before departure. If you travel first class on a train, train stations normally have first class lounges for you to wait, and a conductor will take you right to the train when it is ready to board.
• Frictionless Security & Ticketing: Rail travel does not require removing shoes, unpacking laptop bags, or limiting liquids to 3.4 oz. Tickets are easily scanned directly from a smartphone wallet upon boarding or while underway. Security will check you, and there are usually measures to ensure everyone is safe, but it is no way as invasive as flying.
• City Center to City Center: Major train terminals (e.g., Union Station in Chicago, Penn Station in NYC, Gare du Nord in Paris, or Tokyo Station) drop passengers directly into the heart of metropolitan centers. Flying requires costly, lengthy transfers from suburban airports to downtown hubs, making total door-to-door transit times on routes under 500 miles often faster by train than by air.
• Baggage Freedom: Unlike airlines that charge for checked bags or enforce strict carry-on weight limits (especially low-cost carriers in Europe and Asia weighing bags at 7kg–10kg), Amtrak permits two free carry-on bags plus two free personal items, without aggressive size-check traps or gate fees.
• Generous Legroom & No Middle Seats: Even standard Coach class features legroom superior to airline domestic First Class, with deep seat recline, fold-down footrests, and guaranteed aisle or window layouts. Trains now also have dedicated work or quiet cars equipped with standard AC power outlets at every seat, tray tables, free Wi-Fi, and designated "Quiet Cars" where cell phone calls and loud noise are strictly prohibited.
• Observation & Lounge Cars: Long-distance routes (such as the Empire Builder or California Zephyr) feature floor-to-ceiling panoramic glass Observation Cars, giving travelers a rolling landscape lounge to work or relax. Many times a day, these cars are empty, so you can enjoy the scenery, or they offer a chance to meet other passengers. Also, many train employees request common etiquette so people don’t camp out in these cars, so everyone has a chance to enjoy them.
• Sleeper Accommodation Upgrades: Private Roomettes and Bedrooms increase train ticketing costs dramatically but include convertible beds, dedicated car attendants, complimentary chef-prepared meals, and station lounge access before departure. I travelled in a roomette for a 52-hour trip and coach for an 18-hour trip. Keep reading below to get my thoughts on which is better.
• Ultra-High-Speed Wi-Fi & Productivity Hubs: European routes (Eurostar, ICE, Frecciarossa) feature silent work zones, high-speed 5G cellular repeaters, and digital seat-reservation displays. Most trains feature wi-fi access, or you can operate your phone off cellular towers based on your current plan. I found that some remote places in the USA had cell outages, but my phone worked most of the way. When it didn’t, I read a book. 
• Onboard Dining & Gastronomy: Rather than vending-style snacks, most trains now feature full bar cars serving espresso, regional wines, and fresh meals. Japanese Shinkansen trains offer legendary local Eki-bento (station lunch boxes) tailored to specific regional stopping points along the journey. Amtrak will normally have a dining car and a snack car for most cravings. The dining car will be on set catering hours that they will announce when it is your reserved time to go eat. Be prepared to sit with others and meet new people every meal. Also, unlike an airline, you can bring snacks in your bag, and yes, even liquids.
• Luggage & Bike Integration: European and Asian rail networks seamlessly integrate dedicated spaces for oversized luggage, sporting gear, and unassembled bicycles without hidden fees. Amtrak can also accommodate bigger luggage like camera and lighting gear in cargo cars. In my roomette car, there were extra storage shelves by the bathroom area for my large bag that I stored, so I didn’t have to take up space in my room.

Two Perspectives on the Rail: To truly understand the rails, you have to experience both the solitude of the sleeper and the community of the coach.

• The Roomette Experience (Chicago to San Francisco): Traveling in a Superliner Roomette is an exercise in efficiency and private observation. Leaving Union Station, the Roomette becomes your private gallery window. Especially when you pull out of the tunnel to see the sprawling city of Chicago. The highlight of this leg is undoubtedly the transition from the flat, rhythmic Midwestern fields into the dramatic ascent of the Rockies. Having your own space allows you to set up your gear, manage your lighting (watch out for window reflections!), and wait for that perfect, fleeting moment when the sun hits the peaks of the Continental Divide. With the room doors shut, I was able to take a lot of video without worry of noise pollution or interruptions.
• The Coach Perspective (Illinois to Denver): There is a different energy in the Coach cars. Departing from a small town in Illinois, you witness the ease of train travel when you walk right onto the train from the station. Parking was free as well; take that at airports. Coach travel on the Zephyr offers surprisingly ample legroom and large windows at a much lower cost than a roomette or sleeper cabin. The real secret is that you still have access to the snack bar and Sightseer Lounge. The big difference is that everything costs extra. You will need to accommodate other passengers; you don’t have the security and quiet of a room.

The Ruling: My rule is that if I am traveling anywhere that is over 18 to 24 hours, then I spend the extra cash and get the roomette. If you are able to sleep or manage yourself in conditions similar to first class on an airplane, then you may be able to travel further in coach and save money. I found that having a room gives you a great place to unwind, have some privacy, and fully sleep on longer trips. It is much more expensive, but it may give you a better chance to set up for what photography or modeling you want to do.

The Great Debate (Rail vs. Air): For the professional, the choice between a plane and a train isn't about time; it’s about the value of the experience.

The Verdict: If your goal is simply to arrive, fly. If your goal is to work or create while you travel, take the train. The "Slow Commute" allows you to arrive at your destination with a memory card full of stories, rather than a body search and leg pain.