Regarding seating on the CZ, either side will do.You can, of course, get up and view scenery on the other side of the train in unoccupied seats, as I do.
A good part of Donner Pass and Truckee River in Calif. will be on the south side (right side of EB train), though good scenery will be on the north side as well (Donner Lake).
The train follows the Truckee River primarily on the north side of the tracks, especially from east of Reno west to Truckee.
In Nevada, either side will do, though the train parallels a long lake between Sparks and Winnemuca on the north/ west side of the tracks.
In Utah, both sides are good through Price Canyon and Castle Gate, at Helper. Right side might be better.
RH would be good through Ruby Canyon, on the Colorado border approaching Grand Jct. The river is on the south side of the tracks.
That side will be good until Glenwood Springs area, when the Colorado River runs on the north side of the tracks.
The river starts switching back and forth a half hour to an hour east of Glenwood Springs.
Through Gore Canyon and Byers Canyon, the river is on the south side of the tracks. So RH would be best EB.
To see more views of this picturesque route, visit the Amtrak Photos web page...
http://www.trainweb.org/amtrakphotos/
I took this route a couple of weeks ago. It's my favorite, along with the Southwest Chief and Sunset Lt.
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[This message has been edited by MOKSRail (edited 08-02-2004).]