Originally Posted by
AlanB
Out of Chicago you should be able... and even the SW Chief to LA and again connecting to the (Coast) Starlight.
If you really want scenery, and really want to pile on the miles for your 60K points, this is the way. It gives one Raton Pass, Southwest red rock scenery, SoCal coastal scenery, and a Cascades crossing.
I would be a little reluctant to take an SO who isn't fully committed, however, because Amtrak long-distance isn't for everyone. Denver to Sacramento (or farther west) is a single-zone, single-overnight possibility with some very good scenery (some of the less interesting miles covered under helpful darkness
) and thus presents a good test - IMHO.