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I'm considering what would be our first rail trip - it will be for our 20th anniversary.  I love the idea of taking the Zephyr from Lincoln to San Francisco.  BUT I'm really confused about what to expect if we decide to do this because I've read on various websites about average time differences from schedule of 6 hours!! and I've read here that the time schedules are being changed to reflect realistic travel arrival times ....My biggest concern is whether or not I can book a hotel in SF for the night of our arrival and actually expect that to be where we sleep.  My understanding is the SF is not a place where you can just show up after typical check-in hours, look for and find a place to stay.  I don't really care about a half hour to an hour - but I don't much like the idea of dragging into a hotel at midnight!I'm also a bit worried about hearing on this forum that food service isn't being prepared on-board anymore ... I'd been basing my estimation of the quality of food from reports of people who'd traveled earlier.  Right now, the Amtrak site gives shows a price of basically $475 for a Superliner Roomette (As AAA members I think we get about $25 discount) for travel from Lincoln to SF including food service.  that's leaving Lincoln on 2/27/2008 with arrival at Emeryville on 2/28/08 at 7:50 and via a connection to SF at 8:50.  If that is an actual arrival time I can count on, I'd be happy booking a hotel and asking for late check-in.  Can anyone tell me what is realistic to expect in terms of arrival times and food service?  Also, what kind of comfort is to be expected from a Superliner Roomette?  Finally - I presume tipping is expected - what is a reasonable amount to tip?  Do you leave it in the room, or hand it to the person who makes up your room?  I'm also checking into the Grand Luxe Rail Journeys, but I think it might be too pricy for us, and so far they don't have Feb 2008 info on their site.
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