The national train service now has designated cars where riders can sit, snooze, silently work on touch screens and listen to quiet music by earphones. Considering the continuously escalating problems of flying, this has to be a blessing. The signs in the cars instruct: Please refrain from loud talking or using cell phones in this car.

Unlike flighing, there's no fighting over ever-decreasing legroom, listening to squawking iPhone yakkers nor enduring screaming kids. Weary seniors who ride on the Amtrak quiet cars can now enjoy what is almost impossible anywhere else in the insanely cacophonic world of travel. For schedules and other info, go to www.amtrak.com