I will be carrying on 2 bags, a laptop, a cooler, and a small bag for my CZ trip. I do not want to check any of these bags. I have a standard sleeper. I have read that they have a luggage storage area on the sleeper. Do these storage areas ever fill up? If they do, where else can you store your bags? I would like to be able to get to these bags during the day. Someone mentioned that the closet is 4" wide but how deep is it?
Also, I am bringing a power bar for my computer and digital camera. The bar has a regular 3 prong socket that should fit into the recessed outlet; however, it has a polarized plug (one of the leads is a little wider than the other) - will this plug into the train's outlet?
Thanks,
Brian
Posted by Geoff Mayo (Member # 153) on :
Luggage usually fits fine into the lower level storage shelves. Sometimes there is a bit of overflow which is either put in the exit doorways (fire regulations anyone?) or in a vacant room.
In your room there isn't really a great deal of room. Even a 6-pack cooler will take up quite a bit of room. You can lower the top bunk if you're on your own and store stuff there.
The closet is at least 5 feet tall if not more but incredibly narrow (4" sounds about right). The Superliner IIs (which are not often on the CZ as you may have read recently) have just a hanger - no closet.
Plug - not certain, but I think they are polarized.
Geoff M.
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
Officially, you are allowed to carry on only two bags, so you will likely be required to check something from of that list. They do not count "purses, laptops, briefcases, or infant paraphernalia such as strollers, diaper bags, and car seats." I'm not sure how they would count a cooler.
So judging from your list, you have two large bags, one small, that makes three. One will probably have to go in the baggage car. If they count the cooler as a bag, two will hhave to go in the baggage car. The laptop is fine, of course.
In my experience, the on-board luggage racks tend to get pretty full, but I've never seen one overflowing. Your experience may vary.
As for the power strip, make sure it is a surge protector. The train's a/c voltage may be a little uneven for sensitive electronics. I got an inexpensive four-outlet surge protector at Staples for that purpose.
A polarized plug should be fine. Many years ago when I worked in a hardware store I learned that polarized outlets have actually been the standard since WWII. Our house was built in 1949, and even the older outlets are all polarized.
------------------ Sing to the tune of Humoresque: Passengers will please refrain, From flushing toilets while the train, Is standing in the station, I love you.
Thanks for the quick replies! I will be travelling with my 5 year old son, so I am hoping that 2 of the bags will count as his. After reading many of the posts on this site I have gotten a little concerned about the lack of space in the sleeping compartment, especially at night. Is there room to leave the laptop at night or will it have to go to the storage area? Do most people keep there bags in the storage area and just go back to them as they need them? If this happens, it seems like everything could become a jumbled mess in the baggage area.
Brian
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Hey, Brian--
On our trip on the Empire Builder two weeks ago the lower level luggage rack did indeed overflow. There was a couple traveling with a small child and they had a stroller, etc. That and a pretty full car made it a tight fit. We each had a 22" roll aboard and a smaller bag for toiletries, etc. We just took what we would need for the two days out of the larger bags and left the rollaboards down below. The closet, though narrow, held an amazing amount of stuff including a box of wine, jackets, etc.!
The space under the couch is pretty much wasted. Not big enough for a suitcase but it is handy for shoes, etc.
Have a great trip! There were at least three or four kids aged two to five on board and they were having a great time!
Best,
Frank back in Sunny, Hot SBA.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Folks, whatever happened to the old rule "If you can't CARRY (forget that roll tripe) it, don't bring it".
GBN Age 63 (who does not have any "roll" luggage; who has traveled overseas for two weeks with airline qualified "carry on" baggage).
Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :
Your laptop should fit under the lower bed at night.
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
For those that have not, or have forgotten:
Traveling with small children looks like moving. When our crowd was small, I used to say we could not get out of the house in less than 45 minutes if it was on fire.
With nice weather on both ends, no children and no particular dress requirements, yes, it is possible to make an international trip with only a carryon. Usually things don't work that way.
When it is your once a year trip to "home" and there are always have things you want to get from one end to the other because you can't get it there or can't get it there reasonably, baggage limits are not academic exercises. You also learn which airlines and which particular agents or locations are nit-pickers about weight limits and avoid them. We usually max out in both directions.
I have a great deal of understanding from experience of what it means to take a long trip with children. It works, and can go well, and with the right attitude by all involved gives some great memories, but some of really gets into the adventure category.
Posted by mrhall53 (Member # 1580) on :
Robert Benchley once said that there were two classes of travel: first class and with children. We are about to test that, leaving tomorrow night for Seattle with our 3-year-old granddaughter. We're still trying to decide what constitutes luggage and what doesn't. But we seem to be taking everything.
Posted by Mike Smith (Member # 447) on :
The top step in a standard room on a Superliner will accomodate anything up to a 25" roll-on piece of luggage. I specifically bought my Samsonite to fit that step and still leave room for my foot as I climb up into the upper bunk. A Superliner II step is slightly smaller than a Superliner I step, by about an inch.
Posted by Brian Keefer (Member # 2916) on :
I keep reading alot about this top step that goes to the upper bunk. Where is this step? I thought there was a ladder leading to the top bunk. Does anyone have any pictures of this or the closet. The only pictures that I have seen of the room just show the seats and the beds.
Brian
Posted by CHATTER (Member # 1185) on :
I agree with Mr. Norman that it sounds like way too much is being carried. Somehow people in days of old managed without carrying so much. This is a distinctively American trait.
If anything more than a carry-on needs to be brought, I say simply check the baggage. One should not require access to all of one's luggage while on the train.
Sorry, but that just semems to be the sensible way to handle it.
Posted by CHATTER (Member # 1185) on :
Brian, when one enters a standard sleeper, on the left hand side is what appears to be an armrest to the seat. In reality it is a step up to the upper bunk. On a Viewliner, this step is the toilet seat lid.
Also, I object to the use of the Christian Deity's name in the fashion done by one of the member's in this thread, where it was used as a humorous expletive. Can the board administrator please edit or remove this offensive post?
Posted by Brian Keefer (Member # 2916) on :
I just wanted to get around checking bags because it sounds like they can get lost. If that's not the case then I would have no problem checking them. Also, these bags are not very big. They are soft and probably measure 12 x 24 x 18. They may be a little larger when crammed full of stuff.
Brian
Posted by Geoff Mayo (Member # 153) on :
A word of warning about using the step as a place to store luggage: strap it in lest it tumble down on your head - and it *will* fall.
Geoff M.
Posted by CHATTER (Member # 1185) on :
I have never heard of any problem checking luggage with Amtrak, nor have I encountered any problems in my many years of traveling with them. I see it as no different from trusting the airlines with your luggage, and I would be more concerned about my luggage disappearing from the unchecked lower level rack than I would be from checked baggage.
Posted by The Chief (Member # 2172) on :
quote:Originally posted by Brian Keefer: I keep reading alot about this top step that goes to the upper bunk. Where is this step? Brian
Steps are the same on Superliner I equipment, just not as new-looking. Hope this helps.
------------------ _________Thë Çhîeƒ _|_|_|_|_
[This message has been edited by The Chief (edited 05-06-2004).]
[This message has been edited by The Chief (edited 05-06-2004).]
Posted by CHATTER (Member # 1185) on :
Chief, the link you posted was blocked by Amtrak. Posted by Brian Keefer (Member # 2916) on :
I got to the picture by going to photos and then Superliner II step picture - so I saw it. I think that I am going to check some baggage now and not try to carry it all on. I have to take a thruway bus from Kansas City to Omaha to catch the CZ - do I check my luggage in KC or wait until Omaha?
Brian
Posted by Yellowstonetim (Member # 3113) on :
Wow, those steps look big. It looks like you could sit little stuff on the first one and rest a small rolling case on the top one. Can you use bungie cords to tie things down? Is this OK? Are there places to hook them?
Also, it looked like there was a place to put a day pack or small bag of some kind on the floor under the steps. Is this true? What will fit in that space?
Does this seem reasonable for in a superliner standard room? I am used to having stuff crammed all around us in a car or van and I have dimensions for under the superliner seats:
small soft rolling luggage under one seat toiletries bag and laptop case under other seat A small soft rolling luggage bungied on step daypack under steps hip pack on hook or in closet Maps in pocket between window and table
What do you think?
Are there any other nooks, crannies, hooks or pockets things can be stuffed in?
Thanks
Posted by Mike Smith (Member # 447) on :
Geoff, if you have a 24 or 25 inch roll-on, the upper part of the seat will "lock" it in on the upper step so it will not fall. About 3" of the seat will be in front of the luggage and the luggage also locks down the curtain on that side.
