Sounds like a great trip. I can't wait to hear how it went.

I have never slept on the train - our only trip was to see if we liked it enough to book our big trip that we are taking next month. We took the Eagle from Fort Worth to San Antonio and back again during the Thanksgiving holiday. I did book standard sleepers for us because I wanted to see what it would be like in first class. My impression was that I would probably sleep like a baby on the train. I'm surprised to hear you say that the first night is tough even in a sleeper. How come?

I've found that it usually isn't the motion of the train that wakes me during the night. It's all the unfamiliar and unexpected sounds: passing freights. . . passengers talking loudly in the car corridor or on some station platform. . . or simply the squeaking of a loose compartment door or light fixture.

They don't take up much room to pack and sure work for me.

<1. 60+ hours on the train opposed to 40 on the SW Chief, after all I am a foamer.
2. The price generally is as cheap or cheaper than the Chief, BTW the Zephyr is usually cheaper too. So, more train less money.
3. I lived in Albuquerque for many years & any trip would require starting & ending on the Chief. I just about have the route down to memory, probably 20 or more trips.>>

Last trip along the Hudson was in the fall northbound during daylight 2&1/2 years ago. The scenery & fall colors were breathtaking. I just happened to have a group of 40 with
me at the time & it was ooh & ahhs all the way to Albany.
Reggie

Reggie

My journey begins in seven weeks. I ll be using Amtraks Western region Explore America fare and originating inLas Vegas and ending in Tucson using all of Amtraks western trains. I ll be taking te SW Chief to Raton and instead of catching the connecting bus that evenig and arriving in Denver lat at night I'll overnight in Raton and take the daytime bus to Denver before connecting with the Westbound Zephyr the next day.

I ll be using a sleeper from Portland to LA. I want to attend the wine tasting that afternoon and I know they take dinner reservations at the same time. How do I do both?

My two favorite rides are from Denver to Glenwood Springs and from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo. I ve traveled every Amtrak route with the exception of the Pioneer.

I appreciated the thoughts re: my summer Twilight Shoreliner sleeper that was cancelled. I was able to get reaccommodated in First Class on Acela Express which works for me!

I also can never sleep well the first night on the train but do great after that (except in feb when they banged around our sleeper during the Texas Eagle to Sunset switching at San Antonio. Much swapping of car positions long before #1 came in...reversing coach and sleeper spots, adding express, etc. I can't slept with head end power off (too still in the room). My trick (when power is on) is to carry a small fan...it makes "white noise" and circulates air.

Amtrak's air conditioning has gotten so unpredicatable during my hot weather journeys that a fan has become "essential equipment," at least when I'm in a sleeper.

The one I use works great on four "D" batteries, which I don't buy until just before I board the train because they add extra weight. The batteries last for two nights or so -- long enough to get me to my destination -- and then I toss them out.

Shouldn't be a problem. When you're having lunch & the steward drops off your meal check ask if you can make a reservation for dinner. If not, whoever takes reservations for dinner will go through the sleepers first, then the Pacific Parlor Car, the coaches and finally the Sightseer Lounge. You should still have a good choice of seatings even if you're not in the sleeper as many sleeper passengers will be at the wine tasting also. You might even be able to catch the person as they head through the Pacific Parlor Car on the way to the sleeper.
Anyway, I'll be on that train 5-22 from Seattle & will relay what happens after I return.
Reggie

------------------

I have spent 4 occasions travelling around your country by train, just for the sake of it! Even with those four trips, I've managed to go on every overnight train except two of the Silver Services, the Philly-Harrisburg-Chicago trains, Emeryville to Los Angeles, and Spokane to Portland. Not bad for a UK-based person I think!

However, with a bit of luck, later this year I may be able to do at least the Emeryville to Los Angeles bit, maybe the Portland to Spokane bit as well. Shame about the lack of service to Las Vegas though.

Reggie