Because we missed our connecting train to Boston and got stuck there for an evening; Amtrak upgraded our sleeper to the handicapped cabin. It was huge. We ended up partying with a bunch of other passengers and train staff in that cabin. I spent most of the trip drunk, which becomes hard to gauge when you can’t walk straight just due to the general train movement. The trip back from Boston to Chicago sucked, because the heat was off in one car ( it literally had snow coming in the doors) and the other car was like 100 degrees.

Anyway, I hope you guys have some memorable rail adventures too! Be prepared for the unexpected lol

Holy cow! I hope that doesn't happen to us!

Thanks for the insights!

I rode the zephyr the other direction once; also had a sleeper. Second day our engine broke down in Utah. Took another two days for another engine to show up and get us the rest of the way to Chicago. Back then they still had a smoking car that opened up outside of California. That car was a party after 9 PM. Not sure if that’s still a thing. Enjoy the adventure!

Good to know! I'll have to see if water is more readily available on Amtrak. I'm a big water drinker for sure.

Unfortunately not too weird, they share the rails, and the rules say Amtrak gets priority on its scheduled runs, but the freight trains keep getting longer and longer so they don't fit in the bypass anymore, only Amtrak can fit, so they are forced to wait. And it's all legal 🫠

I assumed the meals would be slightly better than airplane food? Hopefully? And are drinks limited in any way? Is the train water gross like plane water is?

I'll definitely bring cards.

Yeah, I get being underpaid. But this guy was a real piece of work. He was arguing with his buddy when we first showed up, I think that was part of his distraction in not recognizing that our train was already boarding when I showed him my ticket.

I really should write up the story.

Thanks for the well wishes!

Hmmm, noted. We're flying back so if it doesn't fit in the carry on, or won't be consumed on the trip out, we probably won't take it 🫠

Thanks!

Bring water, and lots of it! I haven’t taken that particular train, but I rode the Caledonian sleeper in the UK and I potently remember waking up at 3am so thirsty I couldn’t think and staggering around the train until I found a conductor willing to give me 5 of those tiny water bottles, which I proceeded to consume back to back to back to back to back while he watched in mild horror. Something about the climate systems on those trains dries you out overnight faster than a Fremen funeral.

I’ve only ridden once, but we had lots of delays for freight trains - which was fine by me because - well, more train time - but it was kind of wild how the schedules can just go to complete shit sometimes and you end up at the destibation 8 hours late or something.

We had wifi and drinks, the diner car was fun but really just microwave dinners, which, again, didn’t care because it was fun. I’d probably take a lot of snacks next time. I’m sure if I was from Europe I’d be aghast at the whole situation, but since I’m from four-lane Hot Rod America it was fun just to hear the train, watch the landscape go by, and read / type / talk. Should have taken cards.

Sorry about your Chicago person, my experience was most people working there were obviously underpaid but also kind of liked that it was a niche gig, and then every 8th person or so was a big railroad lifer type who loved to answer questions and tell stories. Hope you have a great trip!

The pillows absolutely are terrible, atleast on the Crescent.

I unfortunately don’t have any advice; but this trip sounds amazing! I hope it goes well!

If you're driving to Portland from the east. I highly recommend taking I-84 so you come through the Columbia River Gorge which is beautiful. You can also get at least partway up Mt Hood for some great views and picture opportunities. Out west is Cannon Beach and some of the most gorgeous coastline anywhere. There's a ton of things to do in Portland, like some of the best Ramen in the world (I just got back from Japan, and only found one place with better Ramen than Portland).

Thank you for all these wonderful suggestions!

Our plans were very fluid, and it seems we've settled on doing a rail pass, which means we have to use it within 4 months, which means February and March are out, which leaves only January in our schedule.

That also means we're probably going to take the train home as well.

We're still very interested in the Sequoias though! As well as the Grand canyon! So any insights you have would be extremely welcome!

More details in the op

Thanks for the recommendation!

Did you take a bus to the Canyon? What would it be like in the winter? We've got ambitious plans now haha, please check the op for updates!

Yes! Yes I've heard this! Thanks, that's definitely step one. We've got some other requirements now, a bit more of a plan than before. Please check the op and let me know what you think!

Thanks for the suggestion! We're looking at January now, any suggestions there? More info in the op. Please and thank you!

Thanks for the recommendation! Honestly we thought hard about going north! But we've kind of changed gears a bit and might be heading south now. Not guaranteed! Please check the op and tell me what you think!

Okay I think you should take the coming-back weather into account, driving in your rental. In summer, the less desert driving the better, whereas it's easy in a train, so maybe the Southwest Chief that goes near the Grand Canyon. It ends in Los Angeles at Union Station, where you could catch the Coast Starlight and head north, or go Metro on the Expo Line to Santa Monica, to stick your toes in the Pacific and/or rent a car.

Then come back over the Rockies, or if you have time drive north along the coast first and come back across the top.

The Sequoia National Park (Kings Canyon visitor center) is about a 5 hour drive from Santa Monica if traffic cooperates, though it never does in LA. It's uniquely beautiful imho, worth it even though it's out of your way for the rest of your trip.

The train ride from Denver to Reno is legitimately supposed to be the most beautiful in the country! So I'd do whatever you can to ensure that's a part of your journey!!

We just spent a week in Flagstaff, AZ and had a great time. We spent our time waking around downtown trying a bunch of excellent restaurants and local coffee joints. It’s just a cool little town.

One of our days we made the couple hour drive to the Grand Canyon, which is obviously highly recommended. Bonus: if the Govt is still shutdown, you’ll probably get into the park free like we did.

It looks like Amtrak’s Southwest Chief will take you the whole way.

I highly recommend Portland Or, especially in summer, since it's never super hot and it's always beautiful and fun.

I'm not sure where you're going to end up, but I took the Amtrak from San Francisco to Seattle and the ride is incredibly gorgeous. Plus, San Francisco and Seattle are both excellent places to visit.