When I returned home from my China adventure, highlighted by a bullet train ride between Shanghai and Hangzhou, I met with similar skepticism.

FORBES: Where Chinese And Americans Agree: An Irrational Fear Of The Fed

All this meant that in the America of Edith Wharton and Henry James, travelling by train, and arriving and leaving great cities and great stations by train, was an ennobling experience and an exhilarating adventure.

BBC: Grand Central Station in 1930

Victoria enjoyed embarking upon this first-time photo adventure, hopping around the ancient city on the train with Buster, her canine companion.

CNN: Connecting the past to present tougher than it looks

You fight, capture, and then train and fly around on your dragon, or dragons, as you adventure and quest and do other silly MMO stuff.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

But once upon a time train travel was a luxurious prospect that came with a frisson of glamour and adventure, not to mention fine dining, grand surroundings and impeccable service.

BBC: Five unforgettable rail journeys