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I'm a boomer with disposable income that likes to travel by train. What say we buy or lease space on long distance trains? For first class service. Comfortable beds, great food.

I second Manny's Deli! I was so sad when they left Midway Airport. Add Lou Malnati for authentic Chicago Pizza and if you want to go to Little Italy on Taylor Street, go to Mario's for Italian Lemonade and across the street is Al's Italian Beef, a Chicago delicacy. I also agree about Chicago's...

Even the regular rooms are really small!! The only difference is the place with the toilet is also where you take a shower.

I agree, these trips sound amazing! The longest I did was a 10 day pass. Chicago to Grand Canyon on the Southwest Chief, to L.A. on the Chief, Coast Starlight from L.A. to San Jose to Lake Tahoe and back by car, Capitol Limited from San Jose to Sacramento, Coast Starlight to Seattle, Empire...

I live in Chicago, and I think the places you went to were spot on. I love Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain. Walking towards the lake if you go down Monroe I think, you'll see the Frank Gehry bandshell http://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/buildings-of-chicago/building/millennium-park/...

After the Southwest Chief dropped me off, waiting for the Coast Starlight in the morning, I've had no trouble walking alone to the kitchy booths with souvenirs and Phillipe's (thanks, Trainman, I had forgotten the name of that yummy place.) They have decent breakfast, and the sandwiches to go...

I hope you get paid for your travel writing and photos. You're really good.

Gorgeous!! Your pictures are amazing. I went to that same beach, I think! Not far from Hearst Castle?

That sounds very nice. I did Seattle to Glacier National Park in the summer. I wasn't too impressed. And brrr, I am glad I brought a warm jacket! The park was gorgeous. After a couple of days there, I took the Empire Builder from Glacier National Park to Chicago I think it was pretty much at...

The next story goes like this. There was a complaint that there was a bright light coming through one of the sleeper rooms. Conductor knocks on the door, and a guy peeks through and asks what the problem is. The conductor said there's been a complaint that you have a bright light on. You know...

I've gotten some great stories from conductors. Like the time there was a car full of boy scouts that kept running into the car in front of them and coming back giggling. Turned out there was a woman "sleeping" with her top unbuttoned so the girls were sticking out. The conductor tells her to...

As far as getting two seats, once the train empties out a bit, that's when I very sweetly ask for a seat next to an empty seat to the person I've already tipped when I got on the train, then I tip them again. My method is to get people to talk about themselves... about their kids, about where...

The one issue that nobody mentions is the price. It's hard for me to justify spending more per night than I would for a night at a 5 star hotel in Chicago. Less meals. I think the beds in the roomettes and family bedrooms, the only two I have tried, are about as comfortable as a camping...

I want to take my grandson on a little day trip from Denver to Granby then back again. Is the on-time performance really this bad?

That's a toughie. The Coast Starlight for about 4 hours hugs the ocean in California. Spectacular. But that's before San Francisco. The rest of the trip once it goes inland isn't that exciting. As everyone said, the California Zephyr is breathtaking. It would be great if you could go one way...

How would you compare the ability to view the scenery on the dome car, to the sightseer lounge cars?

When can I come with you? :)

Agreed! Phone, valuables, cash, keep on or close to your body!

Tips from someone who enjoys Coach.. What can day I love making train friends and never have had any creepy seat mates. The Amish and Mennonite families are a joy to travel with. Well behaved children and kind people. Tips for Chicago to Emeryville and other long distance trips 1. Bring a...

About wine: I forgot to tell you. I pick up a couple of those 4 packs of those little bottles of wine like they sell at dinner. They're plastic bottles, so I just pack them in my suitcase.