If you are travelling with another person or have a deluxe room, then little bit of a different story.

Their is a central baggage claim area in the Chicago station. You claim your luggage there. It can take anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes to get the luggage in Chicago. I have done carry-on baggage that includes a suitcase and backpack/computer bag. Purse does not count as carry on bag, and sometimes (depending on the attendant) neither does a computer bag.

We will be going from West Palm Beach -change trains in Orlando, then a delux bedroom to Tucson.

There is a storage rack at the entrance vestibule. It's open and common to all.

From my few times in a standard room, there is just enough space for a cosmetic case or small rucksack ... especially if you are travelling with someone else.

A deluxe room has a moderate amount of storage. A four-suiter bag, a couple of overnighters, and coats (there's a coat closet) fit OK.

I've had no problems checking luggage particularly on the California Zephyr. The baggage car is attended all the time.

John

They often hold up the eastbound departures out of Chicago for the long distance trains coming in from the West. And when they do, they make some special arrangements for people with checked bags to get them and go. I think you will be fine with leaving some luggage in the rack downstairs in your sleeping car and some in your room as well. I have travelled alone in a deluxe room many times and have done this before without a problem. The extra space really helps.

If by chance you do miss the connection, inquire if there are rooms available on the Three Rivers (I doubt it but you never know). The Three Rivers departs out of Chicago at 10:30 p.m. and goes into NYC - can catch a train there for Springfield as well (not sure how late though). You'll probably be fine in making the connection.

If you have never been on the California Zephyr before, you will love it. It is one of my top two favorite trains. I spent most of the daylight hours in the Sightseer Lounge glued to the window on the CA Zephyr. Be sure to venture outside of your room! They usually have a guide in the Sightseer Lounge giving commentary between Sacramento and Reno. Met some really nice people on this train. Hopefully your train will not be too delayed getting over the mountains and you get some good daylight sightseeing.

I just took the zephyr back from san fran last week. 1st long train ride for me. I have a few observations for you.

1. I had a great time (alone). I would do it again in a heart beat.

2. You got about 6 inches of hieght under the couch (bed by night) so nothing but dirty laundry and THIN bags will fit. It is about 3 feet wide times 2 so garment bags not overstuffed will fit. There is a shelf above the chair which fit my bag(about 24x12X18)and kept it out of the way. (I had the deluxe sleeper too)

3. Don't forget things in the closet (about 6-8" wide) because you will forget when you de-train. Same for under the seat. I had to go back to get stuff I forgot.

4. Tip your dining car and lounge attendents well. They instantly remembered my name and were real nice to me.

5. From the stories I have heard and the travelouges I have read online, to think that a train traveling 2400 miles in 56 hours will be remotely on time is foolish. I weighed the options and decided to spend the night in chicago and take the United flight out of Ohare at 8AM the next day. It arrived at albany at 11AM nonstop (same time the train was supposed to). Turns out the train arrived 5 hours late into chicago and the connecting passengers on the train to BOS/NYC were put up in a hotel overnight and put on the next Lake shore limited the following day. They arrived 24 hours after I did. The flight and hotel were about $350 which was close to the extra train fare with sleeper. BTW, the Chicago Hyatt (booked through hotels.com) was one of the nicest hotels I have stayed in. And I heard that the tracks to springfield are in repair and they bus people from albany anyway. Rent a car or get the bus for less head ache.

6. I took this trip only for the train ride. It was soooo cool.

7. You will see some of the most spectacular scenery in your life.

8. If you drink, BYOB. $4.50 a pop is steep.

9. your sleeper will not lock unless you are in it. You get over this in about 2 hours. People on the train ain't going to steal your shit cause they got no place to go. This from a paranoid new yorker so you know it is true.

Post if you have more questions. I am still in the afterglow of a GREAT trip. And tip your sleeping car attendent at the end of the trip.

Sure they do. They can get off at the next station.

Thefts aren't completely unheard of on Amtrak trains, particularly late at night in the coaches.

Even when you're traveling in a sleeping car, it's smart to hide (or better yet take with you) any valuables -- camera, cell phone, Discman, etc. -- whenever you leave the compartment for any longer than it takes to use the toilet. And always keep your wallet with you.

Always pull the large curtain across the compartment's entrance before closing the sliding door, too.

While some car attendants are good about keeping an eye out for anyone who doesn't belong, other car attendants have a tendency to get "distracted." And depending on where your sleeper is located in the train, you may have crew members and passengers from other cars passing your door.

I'm not trying to induce paranoia in any new travelers out there. But valuables can and do "disappear" wherever strangers mingle -- on airliners, cruise ships, and even Amtrak trains. Just use common sense.

Use common sense. Pull the curtain and keep things out of sight. But don't get to spastic that you are surrounded by a bunch of bad people.