We won't trouble you with a lot of words on this one, except to say that the trip was worth it. Our only mistake was being too frugal to get a sleeping car.
The scenery was breathtaking - I hope our photos do it justice.
Enjoy:
The Observation Car

Some little Gold Mining Town

Little House on the Prairie

Buffalo?

Looks like Buffalo...

Yep! Buffalo.

Windmill farm

Denver Train Station (outside part)

Denver Ice House (could you tell?)

Denver Train Station (inside part)

The ol' Mississippi

Cornfields (the next three states looked like this
and so flat you could use it to true up billiard tables)

Chicago Train Station
A friend keeping an eye out for us.

Weary Traveler Suzi (drinking the last of our wine
because we couldn't take it on the airplane.)