We had a great trip. Notes of interest in no particular order:

1. We were deluxe bedrooms in four generations of Superliners. A new one (1990?) from Bombardier, an original one (1980?) including red upholstery, a newly rebuilt wreck car (per car attendant), and a modified original with strange plastic waffle paneling in the corridors (original?) but new upholstery. (new upholstery is green fabric) Showers worked well in 3 of 4 cars. In the modified original car, the water pressure could be described as a turkey baster - you had to apply the shower head directly to your body.
2. Food was great. We sampled all three new menu rotations. Steak was probably the best. Also had stuffed peppers one night.
3. Ran out of food on eastbound SW Chief. No cereal or yogurt on the second day breakfast. No milk or soft drinks at lunch on second day. There was a tour group of senior citizens on board - they cleaned us out before departing in Kansas City.
4. Made the connection to the Capitol via Pittsburgh eastbound in Chicago on April 29, so no need to use the Cardinal via Cincinnati. Good thing, too, as the Cardinal was 1 hour late as of 4 p.m. on April 30.
5. Dinner service eastbound from Chicago on the Capitol was horrible. Did not seat us until 9 p.m. and waited for almost an hour for service once seated. Breakfast service was not much better.
6. SW Chief goes down the track at 90 mph in parts of Kansas and New Mexico. Talk about cheap thrills.
7. Liked the Sightseer Lounge, especially over Raton Pass in Colorado and in the mountains in Pennsylvania and Maryland.
8. American Orient Express train called at the Canyon on Sunday morning in advance on the regular Noon Grand Canyon Railway train. Power was Amtrak's. A nice surprise as we were leaving the park for Flagstaff in our rental car. Grand Canyon Railway was diesel-powered off season. I saw the train parked at the Grand Canyon depot as we headed elsewhere on a shuttle bus.
9. Nice variety of table guests in the diner.
10. We learned quickly that our carry-on was too big for the sleepers. We adjusted on the return trip by using a large canvas tote bag and a backpack plus a few smaller carry ons for souvenirs.
11. Peggy R., sleeping car attendant on the extra board in LA, should be Amtrak employee of the year. She was very outgoing and helpful.
12. If you are on the SW Chief, walk over to Coldstone Creamery in Albuquerque during the layover. Have a Boston Cream Pie mixture.

Overall, my wife and I agreed that we would not hesitate to take another extended train trip west in the future (if there is a future for Amtrak...).

Do you know the #'s (name for the new car too) of the sleepers you were in. I'd especially like to know the # of the wreck rebuilt.

Was the wrecked rebuilt car a Superliner I or II? Were there any noticable signs of damage on the outside? Dents, dings, missing siding? I have noticed that a lot of Superliners have damaged siding, often with chalk markings near the damage. Perhaps indicating areas to be repaired.

I've heard of the waffle car. It seems to show up on the Southwest Chief a lot. I think there might be two, although not sure about that. The waffle material is all Amtrak had on hand when this car was refurbished.

[This message has been edited by dcfan (edited 05-07-2003).]

The American Orient Express is a wonderful experience. Take it on the intenary that
interests you and you will be spoiled.