I will be traveling this summer with my 9 year old child from Chicago to Tucson on the Texas Eagle in Coach and would like to learn some information that may help me better prepare for the 2 1/2 day trip on the train with my child.
Are there any programs or activities for children during the trip?
Is there a child's menu during meals?
Do they offer blankets and pillows in Coach for overnight? Or should we just bring our own?
Any recommendations or suggestions on the best way to make a child comfortable and from driving you insane onboard the train for 2 1/2 days?
I'm sure I have more questions, just can't think of anymore right now, but any information or insights you folks may offer will be greatly appreciated.
posted
Hi. To answer your questions, AFAIK, there will be little to no formal programming at all during the trip. You really should consider bringing along things like games to keep your child occupied. Card games will be popular on the train, at least they were very popular when I made my trip from WI to FL and back in March. You should also bring along your own pillow and blanket, as sometimes the AC in trains can be very aggressive. I don't recall if there was a children's menu available on the train, perhaps other members of the forum can tell if there will be atleast children's portions of the main entrees. If your child decides to bring along music, be sure that headphones are used. If I haven't written it by now, let me encourage you to bring along things like "car games, " just about anything to occupy the child's time. you can even have contests like ISpy, or something like that. Books are good too.
Posts: 506 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
To view your menu selections, go to http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/Dining_Car_Menu.r5.pdf and get hungry. Just as general advice, plan for some ups and downs which are inherent when any age group travels by train. Bring your own blanket or play the odds that one is available in the lounge car for (last time I checked) five or six bucks. The same applies to playing cards; they sell AmCards as souvenirs but some trips are sold out. You should have the benefit of a sightseer lounge car the whole time; the windows begin at your knees and extend all the way up to and on to the ceiling. This is my preferred way to see the country. There are supposed to be pillows for all in coach, but they're the teensy variety. Chicago to Tuscon should only drive you insane for 1.7 days. Try to describe it as a really long car trip without you having to drive. If there are other people (adults and children) at the same age, try and hook up in the lounge or talk to each other. At stations where train servicing is scheduled (for you, Dallas, Fort Worth, and El Paso) try to get outside on the platform, but keep the little one close. This will serve to stretch your legs and catch a quick whiff of fresh air, provided you're upwind from the smokers. If you need to do this at another time, ask an attendant if you can just step off while the passengers load. As long as you don't wander (at all) you should be okay. More on this a little later... You are actually taking two trains; the Texas Eagle runs through San Antonio and through cars are added to the back of the transcontinental Sunset Limited. For safety, be careful in stairwells and hold the grabirons when crossing between cars. Also, you will not be permitted in the sleeping cars, which are for first class passengers only. Walk with a slightly wider stance. I've taken a similar trip: to El Paso at age 12. You'd better bring FIVE sets of batteries for the Game Boy. I'm not kidding. You may love the scenery (Ozarks, wildlife, DESERT!) or you may pay attention to all the junkyards. This is a matter of interpretation and expectations. In either regard, a camera will be of good use to you, whether for scenery or for personal moments. Personally, I saw the best sunset I've ever seen (out of six very good candidates) in the middle of August out the window of the Sunset Limited. If I ever find that picture again... My biggest regret is that I did not disembark with the rest of the group in San Antonio; they made a quick dash over two or three blocks during the layover to go see the Alamo, which is close to the station. If you want to save some cash, look for Rail Sale excursion fares. These are accessed through a little button on the Reservations chapter of the Amtrak web page. Also, call the 800 number in advance to check on the status of your train. Someone should write a book on this topic. Wait... Check your local library for Mr. Emeka's "Amtraking" or something similar. Although it was published ten years ago, the basic ideas are all right there. Here it is: http://www.trainweb.org/emeka/Amtrak.html Also, check back here with some feedback after your trip.
------------------ F40PH #757099-8 March 29, 1976-August 17, 2001 Requisecat in pacis
posted
Last summer I took my 8-year-old daughter to Boston. We had a bad trip on the Twilight Shoreliner (no legrest seats, no pillows, the lights on all night, had to show our tickets in New York at 1 am) but she was good about the whole thing, even though we were both tired all day after we arrived. Coming back we traveled during the day.
My daughter was very interested in the whole experience, taking notes, looking at a map, and so on.
Usually the overnight trains are more comfortable. I would have no qualms about taking a nine-year-old along on a trip of two days.
posted
As a "kid" who has always enjoyed rail travel, I can tell you right away that they DO in fact offer a child menu in the dining car. As mentioned earlier, bring "car games" for your child. In all of my experiences there have always been "feature moovies" in the Lounge car around 7:0 pm. I would also recomend-for a boy anyway-Matchboxes or Hot Wheels, and try to "hook-up" with another group of passengers that have young children. Now, some word of wisdom. Feel free to allow him/her to wander down the isle ways of the car if the train has been in transet for a long time, but NOT durring statio shops and durring meal times. There may be some points durring you trip that the track may be a bit rough, if that is the case, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE keep him/her in their seat. When crossing between cars it is recomended that you use on hand on the handrail and hold onto your child w/ the other. pillows and blankets are availble from you attendent, but there is a hidden charge, so I would bring my own. Also take him/her for "Walks" where you go from one end of the train to the other, most conductors will allow you to walk a child (sounds like I am discribing a *** ) throught the sleepers, as long as you OK it with them first. and most important have fun.
there is no "hidden" charge for a pillow in coach...blankets are not available except for purchase from the attendant in the lower level of the lounge car.
posted
Never have been charged for a pillow. If the car has light loading, the car attendant might be in a nice mood and give you two pillows. A blanket is recommended though, as the ones in the lounge car usually sell out quickly.
There are indeed usually feature movies in the lounge car, usually an early one (6-7pm start) and a later one (around 9pm start, although times vary a lot). There *might* be entertainment in the afternoon - we had another movie shown of the local area last time I was on the Sunset.
Just to reassure you, although you'll be technically on 2 trains, you do NOT need to change. The two trains just couple up together at San Antonio. Be aware that your train could be on time all the way to San Antonio and then get delayed by the late running Sunset Limited... possibly by hours. And once you're late, you just tend to get later. Your arrival in Tucson could be well after midnight, so it's worth taking that into consideration. On the other hand, you might be on time.....
By all means allow the child to wander through the car, but I wouldn't let him/her to move between cars by themselves. Also, be considerate of other passengers.
Geoff M.
Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
A charge for a pillow? Last thing I knew it was your coach fare. Let the child experience rough track. It's good for the reflexes. Especially if you are going to be train-bound for a long period of time: I allow around six hours for a newcomer to get "train legs." Again, use a slightly wider stance. It may feel weird, but so will toppling into someone's lap when you encounter your first crossover standing up. I suppose the overall advice I'm trying to offer is this: don't be too restrictive, both in your expectations or your rules. Do what you must to have a safe trip, but beyond that this is a learning experience for both of you. After a little research beforehand (reading bits in the timetable and contacting forums such as this one) you will be prepared to ride. At that point, don't focus on micromanaging everything, especially scheduling. Coach travel and relaxation go hand in hand, but only if you let them. You should be fine as long as "are we there yet" doesn't start until, say, Taylor Texas. Another one of my memorable stops was Texarkana. I think the station is right on the state line and it may be marked as such. Sorry, I left my route guide home. If anyone tries to charge you for the pillows, have a conversation with your Conductor.
Posts: 391 | From: Schenectady | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
When I was on the Starlate last summer the attendent charged me 5 bucks for one pillow, are you saying I need to make a complant?
Posts: 43 | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
There more than likely be other 8-9 yo's on board as well. Just make sure you have the game boy batteries and music. Pack some snacks and maybe a coke or two. If you have a lap top you might take it along. There will be movies in the lounge car. Take a couple of pillow cases with you and stuff it with a couple of the amtrak pillows. Tylenol PM. If you can take the SW Chief back to Chi thru LA do so.
Posts: 22 | From: Little Rock, AR | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
as an aside....I noticed on my last couple of superliner trips (sw chief) that the toe zappers have been removed. Those were the steel floor plates on each car which overlapped. Now, there is a slight gap visible when you look down and cross between cars and the reaction from kids ranged from "cool" to "oh, that is very scary".
posted
I have done a long coast to coast with my son. Here is my advice as a mom: Bring a pillow & blanket, bring a walkman or gameboy and extra batteries, bring cards, small compact travel games like Yahtzee or Uno or other "travel versions" of games are good too. You will have a great time and your child will have life long memories if you have a few supplies, travel light and bring a few items to keep you comfortable. Have fun!
Posts: 45 | From: San Diego, CA | Registered: May 2002
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posted
If I ever get charged for a pillow, you bet your bunz the supervisors are going to hear about it.
Posts: 391 | From: Schenectady | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
My 1st advise..is when you get on the train see if you can afford to upgrade to a sleeper.
Next.. I will only take trains. I will not fly. We have taken our 3 kids from Texas to New Mexico, New York and to Florida. TOO MUCH FUN!
But we have always been in a sleeper so I am not having to "shush" them all the time. I must admit I don't like listening to other people's kids... so I keep mine quiet. We had one kid who drove us INSANE making dolphin noises in the observation car.
Bring a ton of snacks. We always bring a snack bag, a magazine bag, a video game bag...etc. just depended howold they were. Email me and I can see you our ofoto.com pictures. yummykaz@aol.com
Posts: 168 | From: Spring TX USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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