posted
Can anyone tell me what using the luggage lockers is like in Chicago? Is it difficult? Can you come to the station and find them all in use and have no place to leave your luggage?
Also, do they even have luggage lockers in DC? If so, same questions as above.
I've always had a sleeper out of DC or Chi at least in one direction & so in the past always been able to use the first-class lounges.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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They used to have lockers in DC along the wall of the station where the train gates are located. I don't know if those are still in service. They do have a baggage storage room adjacent to Gate A (the MARC commuter gate) at WUS where you can check your bag with a live person. Rate depends on how long the bag is in storage.
Chicago - I've had very frustrating experience using the lockers there. It's sometimes hard to find one available and always hard to find someone for assistance if (when) the locker malfunctions. They did have a checked baggage room where you could store luggage for the small fee in Chicago. It's not where I recall having last seen it though. Like you I've normally either arrived or departed from Chicago in sleeper. I think 1998 (going LaCrosse, WI to Elkhart, IN) was the last time I both arrived and departed from CUS in coach.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
Chicago has computer operated wall lockers in the south waiting lounge, Will hold 2 carry-ons or 1 suitcase and a backpack $4.00 per hour. It seemed to always take a staff member to get the lock to work. Wish I had had a "smile your on candid camera" crew there for the people rushing to catch a train and not being able to get the lock undone. Most people put their luggage in the luggage carts ( $3.00 per one time charge ) and kept it with them. There was a shortage of those carts. I was there during the off season , so there were plenty of empty wall lockers.
I did not see any wall lockers at DC. Most left-luggage rooms at train stations charge $6.00 per item for a 24 hour period. I am not sure wether they even have this service.
posted
Thanks for the info, folks. John, I cannot keep my luggage with me if I want to go somewhere in the hours I'll have--esp when I'm getting in early (on a bus that should arrive on time) and taking the Cardinal at supper time. So I sure do hope I can find some means of dumping the luggage. I have tried lockers in the past elsewhere and HATE them, you are right, they are hard to open! (But they usually had a daily fee, not this very high hourly one.) I guess if I have trouble getting one, or think I won't be able to work it, I will go to the customer service department, or whatever it's called. I mean, I would check my luggage onto the Cardinal if I could, and since they don't HAVE checked luggage on that train, I guess I have reason to ask for a little help there. . .
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
If you are traveling by sleeper this is no issue. You have access to the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago and Club Acela in Washington if you are either arriving or departing by sleeper. Both loungs have excellent luggage rooms to store your luggage at no charge during your layover. The one in Chicago uses a claim check system. In Washington I would not leave small valuables like a laptop or camera bag but I have never had any problem leaving luggage.
Posts: 561 | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
What a coincidence, I used the lockers in both stations recently. Washington has a more-formal pay and drop location near gate A; typical high fees apply. Chi has moronic computer-activated lockers in a room off the baggage claim area. I suggest you do not put anything pressing against the doors or the latch may not release. That's the only place I remember having my middle finger scanned.
Posts: 391 | From: Schenectady | Registered: Jan 2002
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