Just got back from my cruise today...
I had a great ride on the Coastal Classic, and I highly recommend it!
I managed to score the "railfan's seat", 1A in car 'A'.
It is on the left side, next to 1B. There is no 1C or 1D...just a stairway to the lower level. At the rear end is a short, open-sided section.
On the lower level is the dining room, and the galley. There is no public access between cars. Each car has a couple of restrooms, and a wheelchair lift between levels.
The viewing from the front row is incredible...better even than a Budd Vista-Dome, at least forward. Looked right over the baggage car and the two engines, at the track ahead. Car 'B' is the same, but it looks directly into the rear of car 'A'.
The Panorama car and dining car are next, and then three coaches, the center one having a short dome, which must be shared by all three coaches...
If you go, spring for the Goldstar service....it's worth the extra cost, and includes meal and free drinks, as well as a neat souvenir pin.
The food was good, and the service very friendly, with various sights and history narrated by the crew. The scenery was spectacular, particularly the section that is reminiscent of the D&RGW thru the Rockies, with numerous tunnels and canyons, and no parallel road for a good stretch...