Check out a couple of my favorite train videos. They're short:

http://silverwing600tech.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=16

Funny you should mention that BB. Ive known the guy who owns this for many years. Its called Fordland trains. I think he had 4 or 5 miles of hand laid track, its really quite spectacular. The engines and cars are accurate replicas, taking years to complete. He also machines parts for full size steam locomotives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jCiygqBwK0&feature=fvwp&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iFeKTzg4LI&feature=relmfu

As a matter of fact, it would make a great stop on the scooter tour.

Those are kick-a$$ mini railroads, especially the steam powered.

Have you ever ridden in the conductor's seat in a real full size diesel locomotive, while it rocks from side to side, barrelling down the main line, horn blaring? Now that's a rush.

When I retired one of the surprise benefits was the realization that I didn't have to hurry on my travels. I've since become a dedicated fan of rail travel. In Feb I'm going from Whitefish MT to Chicago, overnight in Chi then the Texas Eagle to El Paso TX. In early April I fly to Reno and take the CA Zephyr through the Rockies to Galesburg IL, overnight then back to Reno.

I just love sitting there watching the countryside going by. I try and appreciate it all but there are some sections where it's nice to doze off then watch some more.

Any way you can weasel your way into the locomotive?
Too bad we're post 9/11, as before then it wasn't very difficult.

Even post 9/11 it is still night and day compared with flying. On my first rail trip I kept repeating to myself "Now this is a civilized way to travel." This still happens regularly. No security theater, decent or better food and staff who treat you like an adult. I keep expecting the TSA to send me to the back of the line for having scuffed shoes or something.

In answer to the Thread Title - YES!

The house in which I was (almost) born and in which I lived for 50 years had the Northern Line of London Underground running at the bottom of the garden and we used the network extensively.
Just before we moved here a friend who is a driver on the Tube gave me a cab ride from one end of the Northern Line to the other and back again. Fascinating and against the rules but we didn't get caught.

When we were children my friends and I used to cycle to a station called Oakleigh Park, 20 minutes away, which was on the East Coast Main Line out of Kings Cross and watch the A4 Pacifics - like 'Mallard' only it had been withdrawn by then - and later the Deltics thrash past.

I was fortunate enough to be invited as a guest on the Royal Scotsman luxury train for a 4-night trip. Cost £2599.00 in 2002. Pure luxury.

My dream is to cross America on one of the luxury trains.