[AlexLandragin]

Hello railway enthusiasts, I'm new here and would like to introduce myself and ask for your expert assistance.
I'm not a railway enthusiast, I'm a writer. I'm writing an historical novel at the moment, and one of the scenes is set on a train. Can you help me imagine what it would have been like?
The characters are travelling in 1900 from San Francisco to New York.
I would like some information about this trip - all the stuff that may seem obvious to railway enthusiasts but which people like me know nothing about.
For example:
How long was the journey?
What was the day-by-day itinerary?
How many trains were involved?
What were their names?
Where did the train stop, and for how long?
Where did passengers have to change trains?
What did a first class compartment look like?
What was served in the dining car?
Was there a buffet-library car at that time?
What other facilities were there at the time (eg barber, etc)?
Were steam trains still the default train type in 1900?
What were toilet and bathing facilities like?
All this might seem very obvious and maybe even boring to you guys, but I would be very grateful for any assistance. Thank you!