RAILforum: How is luggage handle on a train trip??????

This is topic How is luggage handle on a train trip?????? in forum Amtrak at RAILforum.

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Posted by canoe86 (Member # 3099) on :

Amtrak told us 2 bags per person, no more than 50 lbs. to check and 2 carry-ons per person. We will have the deluxe bedroom, chicago to new orleans, with 2 adults and 2 small children. (2 & 6)

I see some on this board won't check their luggage. Why is this? What is the storage in our sleeper? What is the best strategy when bringing luggage? If need be, we could UPS some stuff to our first hotel in New Orleans very easily. What do you folks think?

Posted by KA6BGJ (Member # 662) on :

The advise usually given by people on this board regarding luggage is to travel as lite as possible.

Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :

"If you can't carry it, don't bring it"

Posted by Geoff Mayo (Member # 153) on :

In addition to the advice above:

Basically the reason is because it can sometimes go astray or lost altogether, just like airlines. The vast majority won't have a problem with their luggage. A tiny minority will.

Deluxe room on the Superliners is fairly large but you can store bigger luggage downstairs in the luggage rack. Be sure to label it though. Make it look distinctive so it looks different from other people's luggage, who may happen to have exactly the same suitcase...

Geoff M.

Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :

I have never had any trouble with checked bags on Amtrak, save for a couple of times when they were returned to me dusty. Other family members have had bags successully transferred from the Starlight to the CZ and back without incident.

On a long trip, I would check anything I didn't absolutely need on board. But small carry-ons probably won't sustain you on a lengthy journey. So it may be advisable to carry one larger suitcase with a change of clothes for each of you on board and keep it in the car's luggage rack where you can get to it.

My advice, if you don't need it, check it.