posted
Hi again, I just wanted to make sure I have everything. I have taken care of the clothes, medication, toiletries, kids toys, books, cd player, gameboys, plastic baggies for dirty pullups and possible accidents ect...
Is there anything else to make the long journey from Greensboro North Carolina to San Diego California more enjoyable?
Somewhere in here, I read that I should bring a small fan. Is this a good idea? I think I have room for one. I guess an extension cord would be a good idea too. 5 people in two sleepers (2 adults and three kids). Do I need to bring food (snacks) or drinks with me? I'm pretty sure that we can get what we need in the snack car.
Should I pack pillows or blankets?
One question from one of my kids. Will binoculars work on a moving train?
I also bought luggage 22 inch upright rolling (I bought four of these) I hope they will fit in our sleepers.
Thanks again for your help. My husband thinks I am so smart about trains. It isn't me, it is this website! Thanks so much.
posted
I'd say your very well prepared. You've covered all the important aspects of your trip. The fan is a good idea if it's gets hot. Otherwise, it won't be necessary. Pillows & blankets are provided and extras are usually available. Just ask your sleeping car attendant if you need more. Binoculars will work on a train. Try to focus on things in the distance. Things close by may past so soon that you miss them. Your luggage should fit in your rooms without a problem. Relax and enjoy your trip. You will probably find the best part is not anything that you can pack, but is the views you have outside your windows and the people you will meet. Have fun ! Posts: 218 | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Sounds like you are in good shape, but one warning -- I assume you will take the Crescent from Greensboro to New Orleans, then the Sunset Ltd from New Orleans to Los Angeles, then a Pacific Surfliner to San Diego. Be prepared for a very very late arrival into L.A. on the Sunset Ltd -- the timekeeping for that train has been terrible lately, as you will know if you have been reading this forum. But there are trains from L.A. to San Diego all day, the latest one leaving L.A. at 10:10 PM daily.
P.S. Your luggage will fit on the lower level of your Superliner sleeper from New Orleans to L.A.; you won't have to keep it in your room, but be sure it is WELL MARKED!!!!
[This message has been edited by RRRICH (edited 05-20-2002).]
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
Don't worry about snacks or drinks. One of the best things about being in a sleeper is that the attendant provides refreshments. They may not be the same on each leg of your trip, but you should expect coffee, tea, water, juice, and soda, in addition to some kind of snacks...fruit, chocolates, cookies, etc. Keep in mind that the stuff does run out near the end of the trip, and the car attendant does need to clean and pack up everything, so take what you need when you see it. If anything runs out, don't be afraid to ask the attendant...he may just need to restock, or maybe he could get it from the lounge car for you. In regards to a fan...if you don't have one already, try to get one of the little ones that has a large clip, so you can clip it to the edge of a table, handrail, etc. This may be more secure than a small table fan, which could fall over easily. To make things easier for your return trip, just ship home anything that you really don't think you'll need for the train trips (such as souveniers, extra clothes, etc.). This will make your load so much lighter! When do you leave on your trip? Have a great time and give us a full report when you get back!
Posts: 53 | From: Chicago | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
A couple of notes based on 7 sleeper segments over the past month ... although coffee and fruit juices (orange, apple, cranberry) were available, I never saw fruit, chocolates, or cookies other than for sale in the Lounge car.
Also, in every compartment I had, there was more than enough air conditioning and breeze from that; I would not bother with a fan.
Posts: 363 | From: Southwest North Central Florida | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
Be sure to bring the following as well: 1. Extension cord with surge supressor included in it for your appliances. Only one outlet can be limiting. 2. Antacids. Pepto-Bismol or other depending on how the cooking/food is on the train. 3. Good books for reading. 4. Charged cellphone and re-charge cradle. 5. Wipes for kids, as has been said before. 6. If you have a laptop, bring it with CDs of games for your kids to play. 7. Notepad with pens for taking notes. 8. Bottled water and juice. Even though you can get it for sale in the snack bar, you can save money bringing them onboard yourself. 9. Cheap disposable cameras to take pictures of the scenery.
On the fan, I found the air conditioning to be great. I wouldn't worry about that too much.
Have a great trip!
[This message has been edited by CHIEFAN (edited 05-20-2002).]
posted
For most of the year, a small fan isn't essential. Amtrak trains are normally cool and sometimes chilly, even during July and August.
But if the car's air conditioner isn't operating at full efficiency (which is sometimes the case), a sleeping compartment can get pretty stuffy -- especially when two or more people are sharing the space.
There's nothing worse than paying several hundred dollars extra for a sleeper ticket, and being too hot to sleep. That's why some people take a fan, just to be sure.
If you're traveling fairly soon, though, a fan shouldn't be necessary.
posted
I definitely take a fan every time I travel. The rooms in Superliners do get stuffy and the a/c often makes the hallway colder than inside the room. I take a table fan and always am able to prop it up so it doesn't fall over. An extension cord is a must. My best friend is currently on a cross country trip and didn't take a fan. He is happy but his wife has been miserable at night even in areas with snow on the ground.
I also suggest taking a small roll of duct tape as you may find it helpful for holding curtains shut when the velcro is missing or in cases where the curtain has shrunk and need help staying attached to the wall at night. It also helps with small rattles that inevitably occur.
If you have a standard bedroom, luggage will not easily fit in the room. The downstairs rack is best. Rolling luggage or a foldable luggage cart are blessings at big stations.
posted
Train food is expensive. If you don't want to spend yourself into bankruptcy on the train, bring lots of food. Snack packs of pudding, applesauce, fruit, canned nuts, candy bars, other non-refridgeration items.
A cell phone, of course, in case of breakdown or emergency.
Posts: 37 | From: Seattle, WA, USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
One thing I forgot to mention before: industrial strength ear plugs! I had a sleeper near the wheels of the train. I would have been up all night if I had not picked up these really thick yellow ear plugs at Home Depot. These are a must-have!!!
Food is included in the price of the sleeper. For snacks, bring along food and drinks to save money.
[This message has been edited by CHIEFAN (edited 05-21-2002).]
[This message has been edited by CHIEFAN (edited 05-21-2002).]
posted
Thank-you all for your recommendations. I have a list that I cut and pasted and printed. You know, it is kind of weird, we are taking The Crescent from Greensboro to Washington, The Capitol Limtd from Washington to Chicago, The Southwest Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles and then a Motorcoach from LA to San Diego.
This is the wierd thing. On the way back, it is the exact same route. I went to see how much this same trip would cost in November or December, but the trip back only lists the route through New Orleans. Did they do away with the Eastbound Southwest Chief? I've tried several dates with the same results.
We are taking the same way back (Southwest Chief) because my husband is a smoker, and the New Orleans train is non-smoking. He doesn't smoke around the kids, or in restaurants, or in houses, or in cars with other people. He does NEED one every now and then.
posted
I have traveled AMTRAK several times including trains 48/49 and never needed the antacid, but i would like to klnow if blankets are given to coach passengers on the overnight trains
Posts: 17 | From: new york | Registered: Dec 2001
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posted
Hey, I just saw an article on nicotene water, called Nico-Water. That would be great for smokers on trains, planes, ect.
Posts: 37 | From: Seattle, WA, USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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