You're welcome!

By any chance Razzle - are you trying to use V185 for a sleeper, or just for coach? V185 (and most discounts) is only good for coach travel.

You should not be scared away from coach travel on a long distance (LD) Amtrak train. Many people here on FT would prefer a sleeper (myself included), however to save money, I usually travel coach. True, you don't have a flat bed or your own room, but LD coach seats have enough room (for me) and recline enough. If you can sleep in a recliner at home, you can sleep in a coach seat on Amtrak! I personally find a coach seat on a LD train satisfactory for a 2-3 day trip!

Your meals are included in the cost of a sleeper while in coach you personaly buy your own meals, but personaly I don't think that is worth the extra cost by itself. (YMMV) I also usually skip eating lunch to save cost, so I just buy Breakfast and Dinner each day. However, you may do otherwise.

Another possibility for you may be the USA rail pass. Amtrak offers these USA passes to international travelers. I apologize that I don't know the cost of a "West" pass. (My computer is not working correctly right now.)