Great trip report. It's interesting to see what it's like on board the long haul Amtrak trains. The most I ever get to ride is the Hiawatha to Milwaukee, but whenever I go to the station from my office, I'm always intrigued by the trains going to Texas, Seattle and California. Makes me want to give Amtrak a try cross country when I have a few days to spare.

mrfss, do you have any pictures of the rooms on the train?