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I took the Coast Starlight Express from Seattle to San Diego and enjoyed the whole trip. Of course I met up with a fun girl and spent most of the time talking to her....
Like was said before, if you can afford a bed get one. Sleeping in coach on ANY train is not a fun experience if you can afford a birth (otherwise known as an "over and under") which are beds that fold down or are made from the seats in the sleeping car.
DON'T buy meals or booze on the train unless you want to pay premium prices for this luxury. Bring what you want along in your backpack or go shopping when the train stops for a longer rest stop.
DON'T get too drunk on a train. The constant motion will really be nasty (as I learnt) just like taking a ferry while you're drunk and start feeling queasy.
DO make an attempt to meet people. Trains usually have an observation car where you can sit and talk with various people. Meet a nice girl/guy you like and invite them back to your birth seating area for drink (which is allowed in sleeping car areas but not coach on most trains).
Amtrack as a rail system isn't too bad. Better than Canadian trains and WAY better than places like Greece, with their narrow gauge rails.
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