We rode AmTrac quite a few years ago . We flew to Denver & took the train back to Oakland . It was the Vista Dome & a really great view all the way back . We had a compartment so we could get some decent sleep which is actually easy on a train . At least it is for me . I love the click click & sway . The food was to order & excellent . We tipped the porter $ 50.00 each time when we got ON the train & found out which porter was in control of our compartment . My Pappy ,who rode the train a lot in the 40`s-50`s , recommended this proceedure to get good service . His advice .. tip them when you get on & they`ll know they will get a tip . Service always was above the norm . I`d usually shove another 10 at them on departing . HEY !! , that was a lot of money in those days !!! . We made three trips over a period of several years .

We left Denver about 2-3 in the afternoon . Hit Salt Lake city just before dark . Traveled most of the boring Nevada desert during the night & got a 5:30 am wake-up call to enjoy the Sierras the rest of the way to Oakland . Spent a decent , though not extensive , bit of time in the Club Car which was the caboose . All windows so you didn`t miss anything except the olive in my martini that the bar tender forgot to install !!! . Only on the FIRST one I assure you !! .

It was a nice way to travel & be able to see a bit of the country you can`t get to by road . Beautiful scenery .

" I can`t change the direction of the wind , but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination "
( stolen off of a 59c roll of Sparkle paper towels .OK,OK , I liked it already !! )