Several of the young people on the train were foreigners taking advantage of a special deal through Amtrak. Cecile Souchon, from Paris, was able to purchase a 15-day rail pass for $295. "It's actually really cheap considering the time we're spending on the train," she said. Her trip will take her from New York City, where she is working as an engineer, to San Francisco. "I wanted to see a little bit of the States before going back home. I thought the train would be a nice way because you are closer to the ground (than on a plane)." European trains have many more business travelers and young people, Cecile notes. However, Amtrak does offer an observation car and a smoke-free environment, unlike in Europe. "Usually the nonsmoking seats are the first ones to go - usually the smokers want to sit there too. So that tells you how bad it can get."
