I read the news of Amtrak's withdrawal as a setback, not a defeat. On the trip from Alpine to Tucson, the sleek, thermodynamic engines, pulling 12 cars, eased out of Alpine's station and into the beautiful country around Marfa, recently greened by rains. A lady conductor guided us to our coach seats and showed us where to store our big baggage. She brought us each a small pillow. Our car carried to capacity as did all 12.
Coach seats are roomy and, of course, reclining.
Lower leg rests and foot rests contributed to comfort. A full-size tray dropped out of the back of the next seat. Windows are big. From here we roamed to the observation car, the lounge-snack car and the dining car, culminating in a grand march from rear car to baggage car, immediately behind the engines. Our grandkids, Jennifer and Matthew Creager, felt too wobbly and tired that evening to enjoy their first meal in a dining car.