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My husband and I will be taking a sleeper to Chicago later this fall. It's the first time he's ever done an overnighter on the train and the first time I've ever taken the larger sleepers (A,B). I cannot remember: can we bring our suitcases (they are each fairly standard size, about 23" I think) into the room? Also, what are the beds like--double on one level, or bunk or what? And what are the toilet and showerh facilities like--is there a private shower in these rooms?
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Is your train a Superliner? If so -- the lower bunk of the upscale sleeper room is a bit larger than twin size, the upper one a bit narrower than twin size. Two people can share the lower bunk. But they must be fairly skinny, and they really have to like each other a lot.
There is a toilet/shower combo in these rooms.
Yes, you can bring two 23-inchers into the room and put them on the long seat.
Can't speak for the non Superliners, though.
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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Mr. Kisor's description applies equally to the Viewliner Bedroom - the single level Sleeper assigned to the Lake Shore Limited.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I think it depends on the size of the suitcase; if they are the airline carry-on size, you might be o.k. with them in the room. If this is a Superliner deluxe bedroom, and the suitcases are any larger than that, I don't think you really want them there for the duration, and probably not for the night. Once the bed is pulled out, it's hard to get in and out of the bathroom if there's suitcases stacked in front of them.
I usually leave the suitcases down below, and pack a small to medium-sized soft, compressible zippered duffel bag with clothes and things I need in the room. Depending on how great a packer you are, you can either stash the duffel inside the regular suitcase and pull it out once you are settled in your room. Or you could just carry it on as an extra bag, and then later on, after getting to your destination, put the duffel and clothes back into the suitcase.
The deluxe Superliner bedroom has a shower in your private commode room (like some RVs); don't forget to bring your flip-flops and don't (like me) park your foot over the drain hole...... Posts: 72 | From: USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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Not to argue with you, Mr. Chile2, but I recall putting our suitcases on the single chair which remained by the window after the beds were pulled down. Can't that still be done? (It has been a while since my wife and I occupied a deluxe bedroom. Now that we are both retired, we have an economy bedroom budget.)
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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Yes---bring your flip flops for the shower!!! If you get a Superliner I non-refurb, it's disgusting. Lots of rust, dirt, mold, and grime. If it's a newly refurbished Supeliner I, it's very nice.
Also bring a roll of duct tape. It comes in handy to hold the curtains closed (WHY WHY WHY does Amtrak put Velcro on the curtains that doesn't come anywhere near matching up with the Velcro on the wall???? Typical). It also comes in handy to keep the sliding door closed between your room and the next room. Sometimes it rattles, or pops open. Putting a piece of duct tape all the way down where it closes will keep it quiet, and keep it closed. Don't you just love Amtrak?
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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The easiest solution to my mind is just take small cases with what you need on the train and check the big bags through. If checking is not possible the next best thing is putting the large ones on the rack downstairs and just keep the small ones with you. Also remember that if you have room A it is more limited in size than the other 4 rooms. Henry with our 22" bags we can put one on the chair and one under it.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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On our latest trip on the Southwest Chief the wife and I had rooms D & E which were the bedrooms, we carried 3 average size suitcases, a laptop case, fanny pack and camera bag and we had ample room to store them in our room. There was a shelf above the chair that fit some bags and we could store the rest under the chair. The lower bed was large enough for us to sleep comfortably and we are both quite fluffy ( both of us being over 200 lbs ). The shower was adequate in both rooms.
Posts: 229 | From: Long Beach CA | Registered: Jan 2007
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I am assuming that you are traveleing on the Lake Shore Limited which is Viewliner. Yes you can bring your suitcases into room --- clever arranging may be neccesary but is more than doable - since I am sure you have learned to travel light. Enjoy the trip !!
Dee
Posts: 460 | From: North Central CT | Registered: May 2004
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Ms. Sojourner - as others have said, the lower bunk in both the Viewliner and Superliner bedrooms is plenty big enough for 2 people, and not necessarily "skinny" people. My wife and I are not exactly "skin and bones," and we fit fine into the lower bunk of both bedrooms on our trip last year.
Concerning suitcases, what we did was we pulled down the top bunk and put our larger suitcases up there, then sat on the bottom bunk during the day and slept in the bottom bunk at night -- plenty of room for everything. The bottom bunk folds out and forms into a double-sized bed. There is also a shelf above the sink in the Viewliners (at least the ones we were on), and your small suitcases can be stashed on the floor in the corner or on one end of the lower bunk, while you sit on the other end. On our trip last summer, one of us usually sat on the chair by the window facing the other one, who sat on the bunk, and we had a small suitcase or two at the other end of the lower bunk, and larger suitcases above.
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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Thanks. I am taking Lakeshore Ltd this time (I ordinarily try to take Capitol Ltd out but not this time) and so will not have any downstairs shelf, so I really needed to know about suitcases. I would rather not check them as there is always the possibility of being lost or delayed on arrival, but perhaps I shall.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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You cam probably bring both suitcases into an A/B room on the LSL, but you'll be doing some "musical chairs" moving them around. Another possibility - if the accessible bedroom has not been sold, you may be able to switch to that room, which has the same sleeping arrangements as an A/B bedroom but more floor space. I'm not sure at what point before departure they will sell that room without an accessible need, but it might be worth checking on, especially if there is a several day window to do so.
-------------------- My new "default" station (EKH) has no baggage service or QuikTrak machine, but the parking is free! And the NY Central RR Museum is just across the tracks (but not open at Amtrak train times. . ..) Posts: 337 | From: Goshen, IN | Registered: Jun 2006
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