California Zephyr

My husband and I are National Park Service volunteer docents on the California Zephyr between Grand Junction and Denver (and they are always looking for volunteers if you are interested).  We board, provide a narrative as the train moves east, disembark in Denver, spend the night and do the same thing on the west bound train the following day.  The schedule works out nicely as long as the train is on schedule--and it usually is.  We are provided with an official uniform, a boarding pass, a meal and motel lodging.  The script is also provided so it's pretty easy and we learn something new on every trip as we talk to the train crew and passengers.     The top photo shows one of the current "observation lounge" cars.  That's where we set up shop.  But last weekend when we traveled, we pulled along an original dome car (shown in the second photo).  I thought that was pretty cool.  It is privately owned and they pay big bucks for the tow but what a unique experience.  Unfortunately no one invited me inside which is probably just as well as it's a short stop in Grand Junction and I might have ended up in California.  But come to think of it, that wouldn't be all bad.