I think every train ride that covers new (to me) ground has been memorable. These include riding from Framingham MA to Oakland CA when I moved her in '93, my first SanDiegan and Sunset Ltd (pre-Amtrak) and first Starlight. Even my first Capitol Corridor, ACE and San Joaquin rides.

But, three recent ones stand out. Riding the Starlight a couple of years ago from Sacramento to LA through Tehachapi pass, including finishing lunch as we rounded the loop, and then enjoying wine tasting with a couple from British Columbia. Riding on the Mini CA Zephyr with my wife last Fall from Fremont, CA to Portola and back and seeing the Feather River Canyon from a couple of genuine CA Zephyr dome cars. (not to mention sleeping in a bedroom in the Silver Solarium while at Portola).

But the most memorable trip, partly because it achieved so many firsts for me and partly because Steam was involved, was riding the Silver fleet from Emeryville CA to Emeryville CA last Summer, via Portland and Chicago. Of course, the best part was being pulled by SP 4449 from Portland to Minneapolis, but also special was seeing the American River Canyon and Mt. Shasta in Daylight (due to a delay caused by a freight train problem ahead of us), and traveling along the Colorado behind the Amtrak CA Zephyr in an original CA Zephyr dome car. All I can say is WOW!

Drew