Ahead of the US election Carroll du Chateau visits her daughter in democratic Minnesota and marvels at its progressive ways.

The Amtrak Empire Builder may not be the most elegant train in the world, but the wide Montana scenery more than makes up for it.

Seven states, two days and all that scenery ... Roger Hall takes the train.

Minnesota offers the best of all worlds with its hip cities, culture and wilderness, says Peter Beaumont.