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In May I will be taking the KY cardinal to Chicago and then the Zephyr to Reno (round trip) with deluxe bedrooms. When I arrive in Chicago what does one do with the luggage for several hours? (Years ago Chicago had lockers you could rent but Amtrak response was that they don't have any lockers.) I would like to have this luggage in my room on the train. Also is luggage safe to leave in the room on the train? On my return trip what can I do in Reno with my luggage while I'm waiting for the train?
mrhall53 Member # 1580
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My wife and I did the same trip a few years ago, only we took the City of New Orleans-Zephyr to Reno for lunch. It was great. As far as baggage goes, if you're in first class, you can store your luggage in the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago during the layovers. And it should be safe on the train, with the usual caveats -- keep the cameras out of sight, don't bring your tiara, that sort of thing. In Reno, we asked at the ticket counter, and they kindly let us keep the luggage there for the four hours until we were ready to leave. (On a later trip, we went to Truckee, CA, and there was no place for luggage, so we schlepped it with us to lunch).
We're going to do the same thing in August, only we're taking the Empire Builder to Seattle for lunch. Hope there's baggage storage there. I haven't asked.
reggierail Member # 26
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In Chicago you can have your bags stored either in the Metropolitan lounge or a room down the hall. It is split up as there is not enough room in the Metro Lounge for all of the bags for all departing passengers. They will let you know when you check into the lounge. In Seattle you can check your bags by the day, I believe the charge is now $1.50 per bag. Not sure about Reno but that service may be available there also. One baggage position was abolished at Reno as a friend of mine returned to Bakersfield after the abolishment. Reggie
royaltrain Member # 622
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Last Christmas in Chicago the lockers were closed (thanks to Osama). In the past I have refused to leave my luggage in either the Metropolitan lounge or the special room down the hall as both were not attended, and I have seen posted on one of these sites incidents of theft from these rooms. However since the closing of the lockers, I was pleased to see that Union station staff looked after the luggage in the former locker area (at no charge)where they gave you a claim check, or you could use the annex to the Metropolitan lounge which was (as of last December) a guarded facility and again a claim check was issued. As for the Metropolitan lounge itself, that is un-attended and I would not leave my luggage there.
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