I took the train from Dearborn, MI to Chicago in 2010, figuring I could work on the train and use the additional two hours of travel time versus the 4 hours and change driving.
It took 10 hours. Could've gone to Chicago, turned around and headed home, and still had time to grab dinner. That was enough to turn me off to long-distance train travel. All these years later I'm curious again, but still very dubious.
There are some short-line commuter rails that are absolutely worth it. Some of them are even run by Amtrak. That does not outweigh the general statement, but I do want to point out that rail is not a universal failure in the US.
It took 10 hours. Could've gone to Chicago, turned around and headed home, and still had time to grab dinner. That was enough to turn me off to long-distance train travel. All these years later I'm curious again, but still very dubious.