I just returned from a trip out to California on the CZ and a return trip on the SWC. I am working on a report that I will post when I am finished with it. Just a few of the highlights that I noticed about each train:

1. The CZ dining service was all paper plates and plastic forks except at dinner when we had a china dinner plate, but paper and plastic everything else.

The SWC dining service was all china for all meals. The SWC dining crew seemed a little more efficient that the CZ crew. But overall both crews were very efficient and customer oriented.

I was travelling with a 5 1/2 year boy in a standard sleeper. At every meal he would fall asleep in the dining car.

2. We had Superliner II equipment on the CZ and I equipment on the SWC. I think that I like the Superliner I overall better than the II. The only thing that I don't like is the little closet and the steps on the Superliner I. You can put more stuff on the II steps. The closet takes away valuable space.

3. I used the shower on both trips and I was impressed with the size and easy use of the water.

4. On the CZ the car attendent put out bottled water and juice for use all day at the coffee station. I drank alot of this water. On the SWC the car attendant put the water (2 bottles) in our room and I never saw any more water out. I never asked for more. There was juice out on the SWC all the time.

5. The CZ takes more smoking breaks. The SWC was on time or early for the entire trip.

6. Scenery on the CZ was much better than SWC. SWC was more efficient at getting from point A to B though. This was only because I departed from Kansas City, took a shuttle to catch the CZ at Omaha. On the return trip on the SWC I ended the trip at Kansas City and did not have to ride any shuttles.

This was my first train trip on Amtrak, and I will make more trips. I was impressed with the service overall, especially when I factor in what I paid for the trip. I think that I definitely got my money's worth. If I wanted better service than what I got, I would use American Orient Express or another charter service.

I checked bags and had no problems with this. I also carried on a few items and had plenty of room to stow them in the room.

The CZ having a lack of proper crockery and cutlery may have been due to a temporary shortage and/or supply problem. Twice now I have been on a train where we've stopped to transfer supplies and utensils over from a train going the other way.

The SW Chief is Amtrak's fastest LD train. It's faster because it doesn't have as many - though is has a lot - of mountain grades the CZ has through Colorado.

I'm going to have to take some issue with your statement that the CZ is much better in scenery than the SWC.

Both are great with CZ offering more varied scenery and longer periods of mountains.

Both trains have average to dull scenery east of Denver and east of La Junta, typical Midwestern fields and rivers.

The SWC scenery may be better trackside, as the photos of it in Raton Pass, Glorieta Pass, Devil's Footstep, S-Curve, Grants, N.M., lava fields, and many other places, are truly stunning, especially shot from trackside as found here...
http://www.trainweb.org/amtrakphotos/

That site also has shots of the CZ, though not nearly as much as the SWC.

The SWC also has many more still in use semaphores in northern NM. There are lots of photos of those too.
http://www.trainweb.org/moksrail/trains/swchief/main_pic_page.htm

Once you try to take pics of the SWC in NM, you're forever hooked.

I forgot to look for the semaphore signals on the SWC.

I enjoyed both trains and the parts of the country that they travelled through.

I chose not to ride the shuttle van to Omaha for a couple of reasons...

1) Extra cost. Last time I looked, Amtrak added $45 per direction, if memory serves me correctly.
2) Expensive parking at KCUS.
3) Osceola, a small town with a manned (volunteer) station and free parking, is just 2.5-3 hours drive from KC metro area up I-35.

Plus you get to take in the rolling countryside of Iowa in the morning and enjoy a breakfast. If the train's close to on time in Omaha, you miss that. It also gives you an extra free meal via the sleeper and not have to rush out of your bed by 6 a.m.

I've been on the SWC probably a half dozen times, mostly WB.

I've been on the CZ both directions once.

I recommend both trips.

Are you from Kansas City area, may I ask?
Contact me off list.

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I once entered the building about 3 years ago. There was an opening. Nothing of real interest though.

I later toured it with a group of NARP members - that NATIONAL ASSN OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS. Took pics.