I'm new to this forum and was hoping to get help with a question.
My dad is mostly confined to a wheel chair (although can get up on his own to transition from chair to chair) and wants to travel cross country via train. I've tried to talk him into flying but he has his heart set on a cross country train trip.
I live in California, and my dad lives in CT. He has had two strokes, the last of which was almost two years ago. My wife and I have flown to visit him several times since the birth of our son a year ago. Since we are expecting another child shortly my dad is eager to visit us here in CA, and we would love to have him.
I think I have an idea about routes and trains, but I am really looking for advice on the feasability of the trip. I saw that Amtrack offers handicap accessable sleeper rooms. Does anyone know of someone who has made a long haul (coast to coast) trip that was in a wheel chair or somewhat disabled.
I'm going to give Amtrack a call, but first hand experience from the traveler's viewpoit would be great!
posted
First, you fly back and come out with him, which you might be planning anyway. Rooms on the train are for 2 people so the second person only has to buy coach rail fare to go along (and sleep in the upper bunk.)
My folks used to come to CA from IN and they always reserved the handicapped room...lower level, full width of the train car and has a toilet, and place for a wheelchair to lock down. He'll probably want to transfer to the more comfortable seat though.
He won't be able to go to the diner (which was a disappointment for a wheel-chair bound friend who recently went from CA to TX), but the attendant will bring him the meals of his choice.
He can get off the train at crew-change stops, in his chair for some fresh air.
Get him a scanner so he can hear the the conductor and engineer communicate and the dispatcher as well as the detectors along the track which will report speed and number of axels on the train.
Maybe a hand held GPS, with an antenna he can put in the window, and an AC plug. I like the Garmin IQUE 3600 which comes with maps for your PC which you download from the PC to the GPS.
Download a Route Guide from the Internet for the trains on which you will be traveling (in case there is none in the room) so he can follow along and know how late the train is!
If you cannot get a the handicapped room, the family room is the same size but without the toilet and chair lockdown, but he can transfer from his chair to the comfortable seats in the room and the restroom and shower is a few feet from the room, on the same level.
It is an adventure, and won't be easy, but with someone along like you to help with all the luggage, running after porters, etc. it will be fine.
Reserve those rooms early, they are not reserved for handicapped, anyone can rent them.
Good Luck and Enjoy the Ride, If you have other question, e-mail me at Carl@TrainWeb.com. I'm sure you'll get other responses to your post that will be beneficial as well.
See you on the Rails, what part of CA will he be coming to?
Posts: 10 | From: Placentia,CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
Does he want to do the train trip both ways, or just westbound and fly home? From your description, I would say it's a must that someone accompany him on the train, not only to assist him onboard but also in the change of trains in Chicago.
When you book the accessible bedroom (I wouldn't consider any other on account of your dad's limited mobility), do it with the names of both persons traveling. That way the rail fare portion of your sleeper ticket will be the lowest applicable fare. If you book only the sleeper for him and a separate coach ticket for the accompanying person, you may end up paying more.
Posts: 73 | Registered: Aug 2006
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A couple more things which you should know: Chicago, being by far the largest Amtrak station outside of the Northeast Corridor, will have Redcap service available to help handle your carry-on luggage during your transfer. Just let your car attendant know that you will need the help. There is no charge, although a $1 per bag tip is appropriate. There is also a Metropolitan Lounge available in Chicago which has comfortable chairs and some complimentary snacks (chips, pretzels) and bottled water along with a check room to store your carry-on luggage. Access to these services is included with a sleeping car ticket. New York Penn Station has a ClubAcela which is similar, and likewise included with a sleeping car ticket.
I hope that you do go ahead with your plans and make the trip. I trust that you will find it memorable.
-------------------- --------Eric H. Bowen
Stop by my website: Streamliner Schedules - Historic timetables of the great trains of the past! Posts: 413 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: Mar 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Carl: Reserve those rooms early, they are not reserved for handicapped, anyone can rent them.
I'll pass comment regarding the necessity of the assorted electronic playthings you suggest are part of a train trip.
However, It should be noted that the Accessible (handicapped; but I think that term nowadays is considered PI oldspeak) Room is reserved for passengers with special needs until an established period of time (one week I believe) prior to departure, only then will Amtrak release it for general sale.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Connecticut to Monterey: I see at least three changes of train here:
1. New York City or Washington DC 2. Chicago 3. either Los Angeles or Emeryville/Oakland, or is this the destination city?
Someone else will have to give opinions on taking the Lake Shore Ltd out of New York or the Capital Ltd. out of DC. For the western end, though, unless you are prepared for a late night pick up in Emeryville, it is faster and more reliable to go Southwest Chief to Los Angeles and the take the Coast Starlight north to Salinas.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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quote:Originally posted by George Harris: Connecticut to Monterey: I see at least three changes of train here:
1. New York City or Washington DC 2. Chicago 3. either Los Angeles or Emeryville/Oakland, or is this the destination city?
The stations in New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles are large, chaotic, and confusing. I agree that these change points would be difficult for a person in a wheelchair to manage alone -- especially if he isn't accustomed to navigating through crowded urban environments.
Mind you, it wouldn't be impossible to do the entire trip alone. It's unlikely that every Amtrak employee would totally abandon your father to "sink or swim." However, the railroad's procedures for dealing with extremely elderly or disabled passengers are nowhere near as evolved as those of, say, American Airlines. The assistance he'd receive while changing trains (or even while on board each train) would be unpredictable and spotty at best.
Keep in mind, too, that changing trains and dealing with crowded stations can be highly stressful even if you're not in a wheelchair. It's something that may not be desirable in light of your father's health history.
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