CHI/LAX on Amtrak - Looking for Tips, Advice, Humor

[AnotherGradStudent]

Hello all! With the end of UR --> Amtrak transfers in sight, and with Amtrak's own program changing come the new year, my traveling companion and I decided to pull the trigger on booking ORD/LAX by rail in a 20K roomette (which seems to be a truly excellent value). We're departing on the 15th, but in the meanwhile I suspect a lot of planning is in order - acquiring board games, wine, books, and figuring out what to do with ourselves on the rails for 4 days.

Beyond reading all the travel blogs I can find on the subject, do the well-traveled members of this community have any suggestions or advice? Or stories! I'm looking for pretty much anything and everything ya'll have to offer. And I'll try to maybe even come up with a trip report when I get back (or get my companion to post it on his travel blog).

Anyone else getting in some last-minute Amtrak redemptions before the program changes?

 

[cocobird]

I'm also planning a long trip on Amtrak. We're flying to Denver to take the California Zephyr to Sacramento where we will transfer to the Coast Starlight up to Seattle. The cost if 25,000 points for a deluxe room (the larger bedroom with the private shower). Haven't selected the dates yet. Wanted to enjoy the two most scenic trains and this seemed the best way to combine them for a very reasonable cost. We'll cover the Rocky Mountains, the canyons, the tunnel sections, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the Cascade Mountains. What is also very nice is that roomettes and bedrooms get a private car for dining, movies, scenery watching (the parlour car) on the Starlight.

Hope you have a fabulous trip!

 

[Jm2015]

I agree: this is a great value and a fantastic way to travel (even if the underfunded and undervalued US train network is nothing like what it could/should be).

I traveled LAX to SEA with the bedrooms last summer. A couple of small notes for your planning:
- the "movie theater" is typically the lower portion of the lounge car and includes a screen where they show a few DVDS a day. On our train it became a de facto play area for children for much of the trip. I recommend downloading movies before you go--especially for the evenings when the great views go away.
- we discovered quickly that the stops are extremely quick--long enough to step off the train for a moment but not enough to buy anything or look around. So, pack a lot of supplies (including wine!). The snack/bar car is fine but not a great selection or price, generally.
- the chairs in the lounge car are often occupied for long periods by other passengers, while the dining car is not adequate for long hangouts because of the timed/reserved meal services (shared with all classes/cars). So being strategic and saving a seat for your travel companion is wise, particularly when you are tired of being in your roomette.

Have a fantastic trip.