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Gin

I would recommend getting some sort of sleeper accomodations for that trip. In addition to the 'free' meals, you get a nice quiet place to hang out during the day.

As for the difference between the Delux and Standard rooms on the Superliner - Both have upper and lower beds, but the Delux room has a ladder for access to the upper bunk. In the Standard room you have to climb up on steps and shelves. The lower bunk in the Delux room is larger than the other beds and can fit two people...

In the Delux rooms you have a great view out one side of the train and if you leave your door open, a pretty good view out the other (through the hall.) In a Standard room, your view out the other side of the train is through another room, so unless the occupants have all their curtains open, you have no view out that side.

I think you'll find either type of room comfortable, but depending on how agile you (or your wife) are, climbing to the upper bunk in the Standard might be a challenge.

The upper bunk in the Viewliners is accessed by stepping on the toilet seat cover and a shelf, pretty much the same as the Superliner Standard room.

The Family room is roughly the cost of two Standard rooms, and probably 1.5 times the cost of the Delux room. (We had one on the Coast Starlight, LA-SEA.) You do get a view out both sides, but the windows are smaller, so it's not as scenic.

For both of these trips, try to get a room on the north side of the train.

Are you planning a day off in Chicago? There is a 3 hour window between trains (4pm-7pm), so if the EB is late, you'll probably be bussed to meet the outbound train. If that doesn't bother you, plan a day off in Chicago and don't worry about a late arrival (that's what we did.)

Finally, the rough cost of meals in the Dining car are in the range of $5-8/breakfast, $8-12/lunch, $10-18/dinner.

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Peace,