Agree, I did the CZ round trip this past July. Train was 10 hours late one direcction, 14 hours late the other, so all the spectacular mountain scenery was mos

Agree, I did the CZ round trip this past July. Train was 10 hours late one direcction, 14 hours late the other, so all the spectacular mountain scenery was mostly traversed in the dark. As for the smooth ride, at times trying to sleep it was like being in one of those paint can shakers they use at paint stores to stir up the paint. On one leg, the air conditioning in the car was broke after the first 1.5 days so I and a bunch of Amish took up the offer to ride a bus to Chicago, but getting in to Union Station at 1 AM is no fun. On the plus side, pleasant company, friendly staff, and decent food. As you indicated, a one-time experience I am not likely to repeat.