by Peg Doyle
We boarded the Canyon Spirit in Salt Lake City for a three-day journey through Utah and Colorado. We wanted to see that part of the country, not just arrive at our destination.
What I didn’t realize was that the trip would become a lesson in slowing down and experiencing unexpected delights along the way. Train travel is a lesson in sustainability.
As the train quietly pulled away from Salt Lake City, life seemed to shift into a different gear.
There was simply the gentle rhythm of the rails and miles of spectacular scenery unfolding beyond oversized windows. Our host Michael and his team greeted us warmly, served us freshly prepared food and drinks and regaled us with stories about the geology, history and occupants of the region going back thousands of years.
We traveled through the red rock landscapes approaching the quaint town of Moab. Towering sandstone cliffs glowed in the changing light, and the vast open spaces reminded me just how small we are in the best possible way. Visiting Arches National Park was extraordinary, but so was getting there. The landscape gradually told its story.
If you ever go, be sure to step onto the vestibule, that space between cars, and look out at the ever changing landscape, feeling the wind on your face and hearing the constant click clack of the train wheels. It makes you feel as one with the space around you.
On day two, the Colorado River became our constant companion. Sometimes the train hugged the river so closely it felt as though we were floating beside it. Eagles circled overhead. Rafters waved as they drifted downstream. We slipped through canyons inaccessible by highway, passing places that can only truly be appreciated from the rails. We passed through caves dug out a hundred years ago to make way for the trains.
We watched together as longhorns and moose appeared along the riverbank and the sun painting the canyon walls in shades of gold and crimson.
There was another benefit, too. Energy efficiency.
The True Cost of Transit: A Sustainability Comparison
When you evaluate how to move through these sensitive western ecosystems, the environmental numbers tell a stark story. The carbon economy of travel relies heavily on vehicle occupancy, fuel type, and infrastructure degradation. Rail travel consistently emerges as the most efficient mechanism for mass transit.
| Transport Mode | Average Carbon Footprint (per passenger-mile) | Primary Ecological Impact |
| Commercial Aviation | ~150 to 250g CO2 | High-altitude emissions, contrail forcing, heavy airport infrastructure footprints. |
| Single-Occupancy SUV | ~350 to 400g CO2 | Microplastic tire wear, wildlife corridor fragmentation, asphalt runoff. |
| Passenger Rail | ~35 to 50g CO2 | Low per-capita emissions, localized track footprint, utilizes existing corridors. |
Passenger rail is generally one of the more energy-efficient ways to travel long distances, often producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions per passenger than driving or flying similar routes. Choosing the train felt like a small but meaningful way to enjoy these magnificent landscapes while placing a lighter burden on them.
Our host explained that sustainability isn’t built through dramatic gestures in the Southwest. It’s created through thoughtful daily choices. The train didn’t rush through the landscape. It showcases it. Being enveloped in this stunning landscape, and having train travel allowing time to savor it, makes one appreciate how valuable our land really is.
Watching the American West unfold mile by mile reminded me that not everything valuable can—or should—be accelerated. Some experiences deepen because they take time.
The Canyon Spirit carried us across two beautiful states, through remarkable canyons, alongside rushing rivers, and into the heart of the Rockies. Seeing it by train at a leisurely pace deepened my appreciation of all the Southwest has to offer.
If you are thinking of exploring the Southwest, plan to take your time. Relieve yourself from the logistics and environmental cost of air or car travel and immerse yourself in the stunning vistas passing the panoramic windows of a train.
Written by Peg Doyle.
In addition to enjoying travel, Peg is a Nutrition and Wellness Coach, Author and Speaker. Learn more about Peg and Wellness and You at Wellnessandyou.com.
