I tell people we live in a gorgeous country. Something you cant appreciate from watching the white line or from 30,000 feet.
I truly appreciate that sentiment, but if you ever go spend 27 hours on the Silver Meteor, you'll find that probably half of the scenery is trees. Even the upper bunk of the Viewliners (which I imagine the windows are at around 12' max over the rails) can't see over the tree tops.
I would imagine that MOST of the scenery on Amtrak is wood, industrial zones, or cityscape. You really have to be on a good long distance train to get "gorgeous" scenery.
The other day, I flew to Mississippi. From 36,000', I got to see Alabama as close as I want to!