This is a travelogue that details what a real trip on Amtrak is all about. The travelogue details what its like to travel by rail from Denver to Chicago then Chicago to Washington, D.C. But before you decide to set off on a rail journey which involves two overnights on board a train, there are certain things you as a rail passenger need to know before hand. How about making reservations? You need to know something about rail travel, including the trains you plan to rid, before you make your reservations. But there is more to it. Train travel is of course much slower than the airlines. That's because Amtrak doesn't have priority on its passenger runs. The trade off is that you won't have to wade through a bunch of people at the ticket counter; you won't have to stand in very long lines for the security check; you won't have very far to go to your train platform. Whether you elect a compartment, bedroom, or a comfortable reclining seat in Coach, you can get up and move around the train while you are traveling. More importantly, you'll be able to engage in conversation with other passengers during your trip. Of course meals are available in either the dining car or in the snack bar. As you travel, you'll get to see America at it's best, right from your seat. But wait, there's more! Part of understanding Amtrak and the railroads, use of railroading terms are generally described in the book's glossary under terms and definitions. Worried about what along your route of travel? You'll find information about your route from start to finish. What to do in Denver is important for those not familiar with this area of the country. Likewise, there is a lot to see and do in Chicago and Washington DC as well. Best of all, websites are listed for you to check out each of these major US. destinations. Whether its the beaten path or off the beaten path, Riding the Real Amtrak gets you where you want to go. Each travel leg of your journey on Amtrak features five valuable tips on topics learned by others. Now its your turn to find out about the real Amtrak. For more information, see www.paxrailtrip.com