Newly retired, my wife & I booked passage on the SW Chief (Chicago - Albuquerque - Chicago). Booked everything online (amtrak.com) - even the bedroom. Purchased "All Aboard" as well, and read it cover to cover. Between that and OTOL, I feel about as well-informed as I could be! A nearby Facebook friend is even loaning me a handheld radio that will act as a scanner. The transmission ability has been deactivated, and he already programmed in the route's frequencies.
I was actually fun reading lots of "negative" comments on line about overnight Amtrak travel, in general, and the SW Chief, in particular. You can glean some great (positive) tips from them. One example: The recessed outlet in someone's cabin prevented their phone charger from plugging in. My note-to-self: Bring a short extension cord! To the complaints about passengers arriving late to their event: We booked our travel to arrive 2 days before the event. In the on-time scenario, we'll tour the area for 2 days and have a blast. In the unbelievably-late scenario, we'll get there when we get there, and have a blast any way!
The "biggest hassle" for me (and I'm being facetious) will be the need to keep my valuables with me at all times. An avid photographer, I've decided to leave the large camera "bag" at home, and just place the most necessary lenses in a small backpack.
I have no preconceived expectations regarding the trip: the staff, passengers, food, "smells", whatever. Our journey will only last 24 hrs, so even a horror-show experience won't last forever! I only wish we were going to LA, so that we'd have a chance to (possibly) hear a rails-to-trails talk.
Yes, we're signed up for the double points "special", and I WILL be tipping, appropriately; I've been on the "other side of the table" and those performing service for me will be rewarded for their work.
That's it for now.
Edited by W951BER, 26 March 2016 - 07:22 PM.