The corridor, if you let it be slow

The Northeast Regional is the most American form of almost: almost high-speed, almost on time, almost a pleasure. When it works, you watch the backyards of a megalopolis and remember that flying this distance is a category error. When it does not, you learn the vocabulary of a conductor who has given this speech before.

Seats are wider than a plane's, which is a low bar and still a gift. Book a window. Go south in the morning. Forgive the first forty minutes out of the station.

Take it in daylight. Bring a book. Do not schedule a meeting at the far end.