What you do with your bags is what everybody else does: just leave them on the luggage racks, but don't do anything stupid like leaving passport and credit cars in a bag on your seat. If you are nervous about this, go to the bar/restaurant car between stations.

Viaggio:

Suitcases are stored in a luggage rack at the rear of each car. If you feel compelled to "watch" them, seat yourself accordingly. I never was nervous about it...kept all valuables with me in my carry on.

Thanks, not worried (I didn't think it would be like Mexico) so much as curious. I hadn't thought about it until I read your thread. Thanks for the response, as we will not leave the valuables in the bag on the rack.

There also may be room between seat backs for some luggage. I've never felt very compelled to watch over my luggage when it was stored at the end of railway cars. I agree about the safeguarding of valuables such as documents.

In terms of the seating configuration you may very well get the club configuration but just wanted to warn you that it isn't necessarily guaranteed. And as to the food...once we sat in the snack bar car and ate out of a large jar of Jif peanut butter so you are liable to see anything and everything going on including dogs with their own cellphones..that's what makes it so much fun.