Im Going To Look Into This For Next Year.

[trt]

I dont think you could beat this price, but I would want a bed/cabin, and a stop at a hotel somewhere for a night or two.

http://dereklow.co/across-the-usa-by-train-for-just-213/

[Buenchico]

Some links you might find useful:

Seat61 (always worth a look):
http://www.seat61.com/california-zephyr.htm

Amtrak California Zephyr:
https://www.amtrak.com/california-zephyr-train

Amtrak Lake Shore Limited:
https://www.amtrak.com/lake-shore-limited-train

[Jackdaw33]

If I were 40 years younger that would appeal to me.

[jno]

I'm not sure about trains fuelling the gold rush, the transcontinental railroad wasn't finished till much later, and most people went to California by ship....

but anyway, that sounds very interesting. Remember that a lot of it in the middle is fairly flat! Assuming he's as good as he says he is (and it appears he's not long started out?), I wouldn't have thought arranging stopovers would be a problem - Chicago would be good.