Lots of the pictures in this section and the next were taken through the train windows. As well as the overhead wires alongside the track there are various reflections etc. Les tried using a polarising filter, but this actually made things worse - they must use a special glass in the windows.

Saturday 31st - continued

We were told we could take both cases onto the train but when we did get on we found that there was really only room in our bedroom for one case, but there’s a storage area on the lower level (our bedroom is on the upper level) where we could leave the other. Room is similar to The Ghan but more spacious and very well designed. The staff were very good. The Dining Car boss came round taking reservations and Fred, our Sleeping Car attendant, showed us how to work everything. Unfortunately we managed to jam the sliding door by putting too many shoes into the Closet. The staff soon fixed it.

We went through to the Sightseeing Lounge and spent the rest of the time until dinner chatting with various people including some Aussies. Most of the Americans seem amazed at how much of the USA we’ve seen - far more than most of them.

Dinner was very nice and we sat with two women both travelling alone. Interesting talks about children and grandchildren and holidays. Whilst having dinner we crossed the mighty Mississippi - very difficult to take photographs from the moving train. One of the ladies recommended the Sierra Nevada beer and it was very nice although 5.6 proof. This lady joined us again in the Sightseeing Lounge and we chatted until we went back to our bedrooms. Towards the end of our time in the lounge we got talking to a group of Americans who were great fans of Midsomer Murders and Downton Abbey.

Fred came and made up the beds. Although he let the top bunk down we thought it would be easier to both get in the bottom one. By now it was nearing 10pm and we were approaching Kansas City where there was a 30 minute stop so we decided to stay up.

We were shocked when we got off the train to find how warm, indeed hot, and humid it was. From the platform we took the elevator and pedestrian bridge into the main station building. This was amazing - a smaller version of New York Grand Central. It was only spoilt by the fact that one main part was cordoned off and was being used for a deafeningly loud pop concert. The building itself was celebrating its 100th anniversary. We walked outside to take some exterior shots and then returned to the train and to bed. Not a brilliant night’s sleep, mainly due to the fact that the train has to sound its horn/whistle on the approach to every level crossing of which there are many!

Sunday 1st June

Les went and got (free) coffee from the end of our car and then we set about showering etc. A bit difficult to move around and access everything while the bed is down but eventually we both managed. Les was a bit nervous of shaving with the train rocking but in fact the worst that happened was that the water slopped over the basin. Showering was okay too but unfortunately Les hadn't realised that there is a drop down plastic cover on the toilet roll and he managed to soak it.

Went into breakfast and were seated with a young girl who we’d chatted to in the Chicago lounge. Very pleasant but quite hard work to talk to.

Went into the lounge straight from the dining car and sat for about half an hour and then came back to sort out some things in the room. The scenery wasn't changing much. Les had to open the case that we’d stowed downstairs to retrieve Anne’s battery charger and then search the case in our bedroom for the power lead. We finally went back to the lounge and after a short while a ranger from the NPS started an intermittent commentary.

We got off at La Junta, Colorado and again at Raton just after entering New Mexico. At this point we had been going along the Santé Fe Trail.

Came back to our room as we thought we could do a small amount of work before lunch which we’d booked for 12.30. With 5 minutes to go we packed up the computer, stowed everything away and walked to the dining car. They then made the call for the 11.30am sitting and we realised we’d changed time zones. Apparently this had happened during the night but they left the breakfast timings on the old time so as not to confuse people. It seems that everyone else on the train - largely Americans - were aware of this. The upside is that we've had enough time to come back to our room and bring this completely up to date.

Anne risked the spicy veggie burger for lunch (Chipotle) and Les had the Angus burger - both fine.

We sat in Observation car for afternoon chatting to various people - Americans and Aussies - and watching the scenery slowly change. Bits of New Mexico very rocky. We stopped at ‘the other’ Las Vegas. We had a longer halt at Albuquerque so we thought we’d get out and stretch our legs. We’d been told that the locals bring up jewellery and other things to sell on the platform. When we stepped out of the train the heat hit us - it was over 90F - shown by a display on a building. We had a very brief look round the station - built in Spanish/Moorish style with cloisters - and a look round the stuff for sale and very quickly got back on the train. Mostly travelling through open desert type country. When we passed a freight train the Aussie lady we were talking to counted the freight cars - 130!

We had dinner at 6.30 - Anne as usual had salmon and so did Les this time. Continuing to drink the Sierra Nevada beer - the only bottled beer that the train serves. After dinner sat in observation car for a while before going back to our room. As practised travellers we are now able to make up the beds ourselves rather than wait for Fred our very nice attendant. Did the crossword and read a little and then settled down quite early as we were worried about timing for the next morning and having had a disturbed sleep last night.

Breakfast for tomorrow is only served between 5-6am and we weren't even sure whether we’d have time to shower.

Monday 2nd

We had a better night - the rails seemed smoother and no whistles. We were woken about 5am by the call for breakfast. We decided not to bother. We thought that we’d have time for a leisurely shower, etc as arrival time was 8.15am. Les went and got coffee and we were sitting with this when they announced we’d arrive at LA at 7.15am. We hastily put the beds up and got showered and organised our luggage. It seems to get progressively more difficult to get everything back into the suitcase!

It was interesting to sit for the last 45mins or so coming into LA through the suburbs and outlying towns. We got off the train and made our way into the station. Another grand building, this time in Spanish Colonial style. We found our way to the Amtrak lounge which was quite empty  - not surprising since it was about 3 hours until our train. We left the suitcases and went to explore. We walked outside to find classic blue skies and palm trees, greenery and flowers. Took a few shots of the outside of the station and then went back in to try to find something to eat. Anne queued at Subway to buy the smallest possible rolls while Les found a cash machine. Took the food back to the Amtrak lounge to eat.