In October my husband and I will be traveling via train from LA via Denver to Niagara Falls and then return via Albuquerque. We have never traveled any distance by train. We will not be using a sleeper. Any suggestions would be appreciated. What is the food like and how expensive is it? Are there bathing facilities?

I've only traveled between NYC and Chicago - the trains do vary in different regions but my limited experience prompts me to suggest the following:

1) Try to bring a small pillow and light blanket - sometimes the train can get chilly when the air conditioning is on.
2) Bring non-perishable snacks (drinks, dried fruits, nuts, crackers etc.)
3) The food is uninspiring but decent. They have a real kitchen and it's not like airline food - more like family restaurant style cuisine
4) Meals are typically served in several seatings - my recollection is 7-9AM breakfast, 11-1 lunch and 5-7 (maybe 6-8) for dinner
5) Plan on spending $4-7 breakfast, $5-8 lunch and $12-15 dinner. Do tip the servers - they rely on this income.
6) Men's and ladies washrooms are available on long distance trains that typically have an "anteroom" outside the lavatory with a sink, mirror, seat, room to change clothes in and an outlet for electric razor or curling iron. You could take a spongebath of sorts (I've done it) but it's not easy
7) Consider getting paying the surcharge for an economy sleeper on one night of the trip - either in the middle or possibly the last night before your arrival. This is a great way to see the scenery as you travel and it's fun but a trip that long without a berth can be exhausting - best to be caught up on your rest and not waste the first day after arrival recouping your energy (strictly my personal opinion but worth considering).

Most of all have fun and enjoy it while it's still here! Train travel is a grand old tradition in this country that may soon become extinct on all but the most profitable routes.

Wedid an 18-hour trip from Chi to DC last year and my recommendation would be to A) Bring an eye mask if you are going to try sleeping sitting up. The seats reclined to a reasonable degree and there was a footrest that came up, but they never completely turned the overhead lights off even in the middle of the night, so I had one bright little light shining directly in my eyes all night. B) Bring your own snacks and soft drinks. They're expensive on the train, and get to the dining car early for meals. They ran out of everything except Cheerios by the time we got our breakfast.

I just travelled from Los Angeles to New York City via train, but with a sleeper. However, during dinners I sat with people who had been travelling coach and it did not sound like an enviable experience at all. You should consider booking a sleeper at least from LA to Chi (you'll have to change trains there no matter what you do).

We travelled in May from Chicago to Portland, Oregon on the Empire Builder. I would absolutely recommend an economy sleeper! Inquire about ANY discount offers? You can change your reservation if you have already made one. You do not SLEEp on the train, you rest! The sleeper's privacy is worth every penny! Once you are in the sleeper area, if they are not full, you can move to another sleeper for the night...with permission. I did that on the whole round trip...my husban had one and I had one also. There are showers included with the sleepers,but it is a challenge to take on while the train is moving. All meals are included with the sleepers and you are seated first. The sleeper cars always have coffee and juice available. It definitely is worth it!!!!