Many wonderful long-distance trains operate in the United States, often travelling through wild, spectacular scenery not easily accessible any other way. Complete guides can be found in USA by Rail where the following are among the most highly recommended routes.

The Coast Starlight

This is one of Amtrak's most scenic trips and a particular favourite with young people. A party atmosphere frequently develops, starting in the lounge car and spreading throughout the train as it journeys between Seattle and Los Angeles. You see snow-covered mountains, forest valleys and long stretches of the Pacific shoreline.

The California Zephyr

One of the world's great trains, taking two days and nights to travel between Chicago and San Francisco, crossing farmland, prairie, deserts, rivers and the Rocky Mountains. Western pioneers came this way, as did gold prospectors, the Pony Express and the first telegraph line. The Zephyr follows America's earliest transcontinental rail route for much of its 2,420-mile journey.

The Southwest Chief

Amtrak's fastest trip from Chicago to the Pacific is along part of the Santa Fe Trail first used by Native Americans then by Spanish conquistadors, mule caravans, wagon trains and stage-coaches. You travel 2,230 miles through eight states, passing wheat fields, ranches, missions, pueblos, mountains and deserts. Sometimes the canyons you go through are only a few feet wider than the train.

The Sunset Limited

The only way to travel from coast to coast on a single train. After going north from Orlando to Jacksonville in Florida the train heads west into two sunsets. You see the swamps of bayou country and flirt with the Mexican border before crossing Texas ranges to the mountains, deserts and orange groves of California.

The Empire Builder

Between Chicago and Seattle this train crosses the Mississippi River and travels more than 2,200 miles past massive wheat fields, cattle ranges, forests, mountains and glacial lakes. America's northern plains were mostly wilderness until the freewheeling tycoon James J Hill built his Great Northern Railway between St Paul and Seattle. Amtrak's Empire Builder takes its name from a train called after him and which ran on this route during the heyday of passenger travel.

The Adirondack

You go between New York and the Gallic charms of Montreal by way of the Hudson River Valley, the Adirondack Mountains, Lake Champlain, Vermont and the St Lawrence River. This daytime journey is particularly beautiful during the fall, when New England scenery is at its best.

The Silver Star

Another train with a party atmosphere, the Silver Star travels between the New York city and Florida's subtropical resorts, passing through historic Virginia, tracts of pine forest and Old Savannah along the way. Beyond Lake Okeechobee you see many beach resort communities on the approach to Miami.

The Crescent

A leisurely journey between New York and the more relaxed city of New Orleans. Southern hospitality envelops staff and passengers alike as Amtrak's friendliest train travels the Northeast Corridor before passing through Civil War country to Atlanta, Birmingham and the south. The Crescent goes through 12 states and the District of Columbia.

Verde Canyon Railroad

The Verde Canyon Railroad offers an exciting 20-mile round-trip to the ghost town depot at Perkinsville, Arizona, over a line built in 1911 for the United Verde Copper Company. You travel through North Verde River Canyon and the Sycamore Wilderness area, which can only be visited by train, and cross the SOB Canyon on a 175ft-high trestle before going through a 680ft tunnel blasted with 20,000 pounds of dynamite. Parts of How The West Was Won were filmed among the canyon’s Sinagua Indian ruins and abandoned gold mines. You can see cacti, wild flowers, bald eagles, javalinas, blue herons and deer, as well as sometimes beavers, mountain lions and black bears. The line was formerly operated by the Santa Fe, Prescott & Phoenix Railroad, which hauled freight until 1988. Open Wed-Sun, plus Mon in peak season. The railroad is located north of Phoenix at 300 N Broadway in Clarkdale; tel: 800 320 0718; email to info@verdecanyonrr.com

White Pass and Yukon Railway

The White Pass is an unique narrow gauge railroad running from Skagway, Alaska, over the White Pass to Carcoss, Yukon, in Canada. A daily coach/train service operates between Whitehorse and Skagway, including a steep narrow-gauge route from Fraser to Skagway, hugging precipitous cliffs and crossing flimsy-looking trestle bridges. Part of the journey between White Pass and Whitehorse is by motor coach, and the whole trip takes four and a half hours. Services operate from mid-May to September. For information call 907 983 2217; fax 907 983 2734; e-mail to info@whitepass.net