Being that the food and beer will be so expensive on the train, I was thinking of just packing a cooler full of snacks and a twelve pack of my favorite beer.

I will be sitting on coach class, so will that affect my ability to bring my own stock onboard and drink whenever I feel like it in my seat? I mean, how can I be discreet in coach? I'll have a cooler next to me and when I pop open my beer, it will make some noise.

One problem with beer is that the motion of the train makes you want to go to the bathrooms more often, as it's loshing around inside you with the train's rocking motion, if you see what I mean!

You can survive a train journey without beer, honest! You do also run the risk of an over zealous car attendant or other crew member deciding you are drunk and throwing you off the train at the next station. Just be careful.

During my last trip on the Southwest Chief I was delighted to discover that they had a happy hour and the attendant was pleased to tell me when they occurred. The drink of the day was either a whiskey sour or a margarita and I opted for the margarita. Although it was one of those premixed cans, it definitely did hit the spot.

The prior comment about being thrown off the train for being drunk is quite true, incidentally. I have seen people thrown off the train quite regularly for being drunk lately and I do recommend moderation.

As far as the cost of the food in the dining car is concerned, it really is not that bad. Dinner can be a bit pricey but breakfast and lunch quite reasonable. If nothing else, go for the breakfast, just to enjoy the dining experience and be sure to tip the waiter or waitress. That is the civilized thing to do.

Because I am by no means wealthy, I have lately been catching a meal in the cafe on occasion. Most of the food is fairly non-descript and boring but I *highly* recommend the cheese pizza, if they happen to have it. For only $3 you get a pizza that has absolutely no preservatives or additives. It will fill you up and not make you ill.

During my recent trip from Chicago to Albuquerque, the train was delayed three hours before it left Union Station. The place was a madhouse with all these wild teenage kids running amok. They were kinda cute, in all fairness. In order to make the best of a rather strange situation, I consumed three of those pizzas and a couple bottles of Cabernet Sauvigon, all bought from the cafe car. After that I felt quite content and it really didn't cost me that much.

The thing of it is, it's all fine and good to travel like a refuge but much nicer to shell out a few bucks and travel in style, even if we must, because of our poverty, travel in coach.

Have a great trip!

On a number of occasions, I've watched the train crew give a passenger the choice between dumping their party supplies down the toilet or leaving the train. Some complied. Some got nasty -- and were soon treated to a police escort from the train.