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I just received my tickets for a trip next June. Sacramento/Chicago/New Orleans and return. I had never considered what sleeper car level I would be on until now. My tickets are for room 12 which is on the lower level.
I can see many advantages for a lower level; less rocking, near shower and more bathrooms, and less hall traffic.
The disadvantages are going up and down the stairs and lower level window for the view.
Does anyone have any comments on upper vs lower?
zephyr Member # 1651
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For me, it's almost a toss-up, with a slight preference for the upper level. I've found the lower level can be noisier than the upper due to people escaping there to talk, or wait for a station stop, or digging through their luggage, or kids escaping from Room F, or restroom doors banging around because they were not closed properly by a recent visitor. I haven't found the noise issue to be a major problem on the lower level, but it has been enough to sway my preference to the upper level.
It sounds like you have a great trip planned (the altitude of your sleeper won't change that). Let us know how it goes.
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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I have a slight (very slight) preference for the lower level rooms, for all the reasons listed above, especially the greater privacy when two of us are traveling.
There is another advantage in being close to the vestibule. If the view is on the other side of the train, you only need walk as far as the vestibule to see it. I also like being close to the doors to stick my nose out and sniff the local air at stops.
If you miss the upper level view, there's always the lounge.
But I also like riding up high, so the lower rooms are not really not a strong preference.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
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I agree with Mr. Toy. I prefer the lower level, but the upper level is good also. I find that there is a lot less traffic coming through on the lower level. We usually leave the door open all day long and close it only at night. Often, there is nobody on the other side, so you can leave both doors open and see out both sides.
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I'm also going to agree with Mr. Toy for all the same reasons. With regard to the view, one of my routines is to get into bed after dinner, turn the lights out and lie back and watch the countryside pass. It's very difficult to see anything from the upper level because the scenery is below you when you're lying back in your bunk - much easier from the lower level. Also, not only is the shower closer, but you can tell whether it's being used without padding down there in your pj's!
sutton Member # 1612
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I love the lower level. Less action, more privacy (usually). The stairs are no biggie. Gives you a bit of exercise! Room 12 was great for us last year. Enjoy the trip! Scott
Southwest Chief Member # 1227
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I prefer upper rooms. Not being by the trucks is a plus if you like a quiet sleep.
When my family takes the train, My mom, dad, and youngest sister share the family room. My older sister and I share an economy room (I guess its called standard now)
The family room gets a lot of truck noise. Especially if there is a flat spot (and there always is)
I also notice that many sickly and elderly use the downstaris rooms. Now I don't want to sound like a jerk here, but I prefer not to smell colonoscopy bags and the like, which has occured on every trip I've been on when I'm downstairs.
Although if I consider smell a problem, I shouldn't complain. The almost full holding tank produces a distint 3rd day (last day) aroma when nearing the end of the line.
But another reason I like the upstairs is that you at least have a chance at the goodies sleeper passengers are supposed to get. Usually the sodas and cookies disaper if you don't act fast. And it can be a real nusiance coming from the downstaris only to find out the goodies have been picked over. When you're upstaris the goodies are basically next to you. (I should add, cookies seem to have been discontinued as a goodie)
Anyway, either way I hope you have a great trip.
noordam Member # 2744
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Maybe I missed it on Amtrak's site but is the a layout of the rooms with numbers for sleepers?
As for TBlack'ssuggestion, if you're lying in bed watching the view, don't fall asleep with the curtains open! When you stop at a station people can see in from the platform. That won't happen on the upper level.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Toy: As for TBlack'ssuggestion, if you're lying in bed watching the view, don't fall asleep with the curtains open! When you stop at a station people can see in from the platform. That won't happen on the upper level.
Yeah, when I was downtown to see the Eagle my dad and I could see a family bedroom that was full of crap. Then sadly we accidently saw an older, larger man changing with the window open. I mean come on, please close the window when you do those things. I was just interested to see if anyone was occupying the family room thats all.
[This message has been edited by UncleBuck44 (edited 09-17-2003).]
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