jphripjah... I just took this train for my first time last week, just going in the opposite direction from Sacramento to Denver.

Most of the stops were more than a minute, maybe like 3 to 5 minutes. Long enough for people to get off and have a cigarette. As a man, I tried to time my "number 1" breaks for when the train was stopped, as it was easier to do so standing still. LOL I did not actually look at my cell phone to see if the train was early, to allow for longer stops then what was listed on the timetables, however. I just know that we left Sacramento right on time, and that we didn't have any downtime to allow freight trains to pass first.

I can't speak to the roomette experience, as I rode coach. I can say that you and your wife will appreciate having a shower in the sleeper car. That was probably the worst part for me. The total ride was 30 hours, so really just over a day. But the train temperature would keep going from really warm to sort of cool. As a heavy sweater, I was really ready for a shower when I got off the train in Denver. Body wipes are okay, but they are not soap and water.

You guys are in for some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Enjoy!