Last year one-way on the Silver Meteor, Phila to Ft. Lauderdale. This year a repeat in March, and in May, a one-way from Phila to New Orleans on the Crescent, then onto AZ on the Sunset Limited. We fly home.
Since my wife and I are in our 70s, we each get our own roomette so we don't have to cope with a top bunk (even the slightly larger "bedroom" has a top bunk, and at a higher price than 2 roomettes).
Sleeping was fine, however you tend to roll a bit when the train is hitting curves at 60 mph, and you are passing crossing signals ringing. Also areas over many switches may wake you for a second.
Sleeping car passengers get a extra bonus with a private waiting room in major stations. In Philadelphia a red cap brought us with our luggage down in a elevator to our correct platform area, and got us onto our assigned car. The car attendant brought us to our "rooms" where we found welcome signs to Joe and Susan. Dining car meals are included in the sleeper price (but please leave a tip). The tip for the car attendant (porter) should be $10. per day per person. Due to great service, I doubled that.
The vacation starts when you board a train, where the flying experience is something you have to get through before the vacation starts. However, be prepared for long-distance trains running late...sometimes very late. Often freight trains have priority, for a number of reasons. I actually brought a bit of duct tape (for rattles) but did not need it.
