I think the mindset is that they judge everyone doing the same thing as they are (family history research) as being in the same economic bracket as they are; it doesn't always apply.Many Americans would love to come to England, or visit LDS in Utah, but are unable to financially. However, it is true to say that air travel has largely replaced rail for long distance treavel in the USA. I still regard up to a total of 12 hours travel as acceptable for a day's research. When I lived at Doncaster I could just get to Wiltshire RO and back in a day, and have sufficient time there to be useful. I couldn't quite manage Dorset, I could make the round trip, but only had 50 minutes research time and that was on paper. However, Taunton at 4 1/2 hours out and 4 hours back was a regular trip.