I really wouldn't worry about the diners on the western long distance trains in the immediate future. I believe they'll operate through the holidays without scheduled cuts. Just be sure to check on certain routes with possible diner cuts, like the Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle and City of New Orleans. Right now, the CNO doesn't have its diner, and as of today, won't return when the train returns to NOL (source: Amtrak Consolidated National Operations Center; NOL crew base manager). Of course, this is subject to change without notice. Amtrak is notorious for making 11th hour decisions about operations, so nothing I write today may apply by the time you make your trip. The Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle are always being eyed for cuts at a moments notice, so just be forewarned. With the exception of the Train 92 and 97, the diners are scheduled to operate through the holidays. Diner-lite, the new dinette food service cars, will replace the diners on these two trains no later than December 1st (source: Amtrak Consilidated National Operations Center personnel; MIA crew base manager).