Background: Resources for Train Travel

I used various resources in planning and getting ready for my trip, including the following books, magazines and websites. As my friend Tim Kelly says, never neglect the research function.

• The Amtrak website, www.amtrak.com , which has all the information about routes, schedules and fares that you need to plan a trip.
• All Aboard! The Complete North American Train Travel Guide by Jim Loomis. Jim is a veteran traveler who has written multiple editions of this practical guidebook about travel on Amtrak. He also has a comprehensive blog called "Trains & Travel with Jim Loomis."
• Train: Riding the Rails That Created the Modern World - From the Trans-Siberian to the Southwest Chief, a 2014 book by Tom Zoellner which describes train trips he took in seven countries, including a trip from the northern tip of Great Britain to Land's End in the country where the railroad was invented, and a trip across the United States on Amtrak. Train received excellent reviews in the New York Times and other publications. Tom is a 1991 graduate of Lawrence University.  
• Nothing Like it In the World by Stephen Ambrose. The story of the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, completed 150 years ago in 1869. Written by the popular historian who grew up in Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
• The Almanac of American Politics by Michael Barone and others, which provides capsule descriptions of all 50 states and all 435 Congressional districts. For each state and district, there's a brief description of its history, demographic characteristics, economy, and population and cultural trends. It also has detailed information about elections and politicians, but even if you're not interested in politics, you'll learn a lot from the background information about every area of the country.
• "Trains" magazine, from Kalmbach Publishing of Waukesha, Wisconsin, with features about railroad history and current industry developments.
• The Center for Railroad Photography & Art in Madison, Wisconsin, www.railphoto-art.org, which has online photo galleries, publishes a high-quality quarterly magazine and books, and puts on exhibitions around the country.
• Various websites on railroad history, including www.american-rails.com .
• Various travel guidebooks and videos from the Madison Public Library.