Traveling by rail has been taking off in recent years. Whether it's long-haul, flight-free travel like this 12-hour odyssey , or opting for shorter journeys to explore regions closer to home, brands like Amtrak in the U.S. and VIA Rail in Canada have been connecting cities and towns, allowing people to leave their cars at home or avoid the hassle of airports.

Even though both operators offer more generous baggage allowances than most airlines, each has its own list of prohibited items. One service may permit certain objects in checked luggage but ban them from carry-ons, while the other might prohibit them entirely. So which operator—Amtrak or VIA Rail—actually enforces more carry-on restrictions?

Just like air travel, trains allow a wider range of items in checked bags than in carry-o

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