First, I'm a newbie! I've always loved trains and have planned to take my first train trip vacation in Feb. 2005 traveling from Chicago to San Diego via LA on Amtrak's SWC.

I've read a few posts on this forum already and I'm amazed at the vast amount of knowledge from all the forum posters.

I do have a few specific questions I'd like to ask and appreciate any assistance you can provide. Please feel free to include any other information you may think would make my trip more relaxed, enjoyable, etc.

Questions:

1) I've booked a standard sleeper from CHI to LA...do they have doors that lock? Are you given a key? I'm concerned about the safety of leaving my room unattended.

2) This may seem like a ridiculous question, but how comfortable are the beds? Is it similar to sleeping on a cot?

3) How's the food?

And finally ...

4) My final stop and stay over is in San Diego. Any recommendations for sight seeing other than those included in travel guides, etc?

I'm really looking forward to this trip and have decided that if I enjoy it enough, I'll plan to make travel by train (or do we call it rail?) for future vacations.

Thanks so much ... have a happy holiday!

Glad you are going to take a train trip!

1) The doors do not have a lock on the sleeper. I dont know if maybe some do, but when I traveled on a Superliner there were no locks on the sleeping compartments. But If I were you I would not be concerned about safety there is a car attendant keeping an eye out and you can close the room up so nobody can look in.

2) Beds are actually very comfortable. I have never been in a "cot" but the beds in sleeping cars are very nice.

3) All the meals are complimentary when you book a sleeper or "roomette". They have a fairly limited menu, but you can get the most expensive item on the menu and wont pay any extra or anything. The menu usually includes a salad, some kind of steak, and other kinds of meat, IE chicken etc. You can get the menu on http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/Dining_Car_Menu.r5.pdf

4) Only been to Oceanside, but I can reccomend Oldtown, sea world, and maybe crossing the coreder into Mexico for cheap shopping.

I think you will enjoy your trip!

Thanks for your info.

What about tipping? Who do you tip? when? how much?

1) Others have already addressed the main points. I've never had a problem with security, but when I leave my room I tend to put valuables in my bags, out of sight, and buried way under the seat. If a burglar is coing to come in, he'll have to dig awhile with no guarantee of success.

2) The "Standard bedroom", now more appropriately called a roomette, is comfortable and efficient, but it is surprisingly small when you first see it. Once you settle in, though, it feels quite cozy. When the beds are deployed there is alomst no floor space, save for a narrow spot between the bed and the door.

Beds are OK. Definitely better than a cot, but not nearly as good as home. Will you have a companion? If so, be advised the upper bunk is pretty cramped. However, you don't care once you're asleep.

Also, be aware that sleeping on a moving train takes some getting used to. You may not sleep much the first night. Plan on a midday nap to help catch up. That's hard to do, though, because you'll be wanting to look out and see the sights. But it will help you feel more refreshed at your destination. \

3) Food is generally good to excellent. However, it varies somewhat depending on who's in the kitchen that day. However, Amtrak's worst meal is much better than anything the airlines offer.

Now for some unsolicited advice.

My standard advice to first-timers is to expect to have fun, but don't expect perfection. Amtrak has its warts, and glitches are not uncommon, expecially with timekeeping. But considering that the system is horribly underfunded, Amtrak does a pretty good job overall. You'll find that the crews are pretty relaxed and folksy in their manner. However, they are not spit-and-polish perfection like you might find in a five star hotel. In other words, don't go in with inflated expectations, as many novices are prone to do.

I like to wear shoes with velcro fasteners, which are easy to take on and off. This is especially handy for middle-of-the-night trips to the rest room.

Superliner rest rooms are my least favorite part of the cars. They are tiny and cramped and the faucets splatter. If you have the good fortune to be in an older, unrefurbished Superliner I (identified by orange upholstery) the upstairs toilet is larger than the others, and has a window.

To keep the faucets from splattering too much, I place a knuckle on the faucet and gently press down on the adjacent lever with an adjacent finger. This provides better control. This won't make sense until you see the faucet.

If you are even more fortunate and get one of the newly rebuilt Superliner I cars, the rest rooms are more spacious, and the faucets don't splatter, or so I'm told. However, I think there's only two of these cars in the fleet so far, so don't hold your breath.

Take one of those toiletry kits that hangs on a coathook. It makes it much easier in the cramped rest rooms.

Tip your sleeping car attendant at least $5 per night. More if the service is good, or if he/she goes the extra mile. Don't tip if they don't show up to make up your bed. Tip dining car servers 15-20% of the value of the meal, as you would in any restaurant. Meals are included in your sleeper fare, but tips are not.

This concludes my unsolicited advice. I hope your trip is a happy one. Feel free to post any other questions you may have. We're here to help.

Thanks for the helpful tips.

My only expectations going in are pretty much to enjoy the ride, expect a safe trip, meet new people, relax, and learn.

I'm hardly a world traveler and this will be my first trip west of Iowa, lol. So I have no expectations of five-star hotel treatment ... but want to enjoy myself comfortably.

Thanks ... and keep those tips coming.

You mentioned having had a long-time interest in trains. Poke around for a good railroad map to carry along with you. This will help you determine where you are during your trip......particularly during those long stretches where there is no passenger stop. You can search online for a handy Railroad atlas or a freight edition of the Official Railway Guide. (eBay is not a bad place to start if you're OK with one from the 70's or 80's). Either a state by state map showing all railroads OR a map of the modern day BNSF Rail System (or the predecessor Santa Fe System) will cover what would likely interest you.

On the Southwest Chief your most interesting scenery (in my opinion) is going to be from LaJunta, CO to Albuquerque, NM. Try not to plan one of those 'catch-up' naps until after Albuquerque.

Take advantage of the 'smoking stops'. Non-smokers are welcome to get off the train too. On such a long trip you will welcome the 15 minute here and there opportunities to move about on the platforms. One regular Trainweb Contributor calls these his 'fresh-air stops'. You'll particularly want to step off during the 30 minute or longer Albuquerque stop where vendors are selling authentic Native American jewelry and crafts right at trainside.

On the Los Angeles-San Diego leg try to find seating on the right side of the train. This will give you the best views of the Pacific Ocean.

Enjoy your ride!

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David Pressley

[This message has been edited by notelvis (edited 11-28-2004).]

[This message has been edited by notelvis (edited 11-28-2004).]

The lower berth is firm and comfortable. Myself, I feel very happy when I lie there and stretch out and feel the motion and sounds of the train. Very happy.

The food is fine, except maybe for veggies. It is sufficiently varied for a long trip, served with style and grace and the company is usually entertaining and well worthwhile.

I took the train down to San Diego earlier this year and liked the city very much. I definitely recommend taking the trolley to the Mexican border and walking across just for the experience. I also enjoyed Old Town and I also liked Little Italy and all the train activity around there. I'm sure Balboa Park is worth a visit - next time.

Have a good trip - I was on the SWC in August from Albuquerque to LA and liked it.

Thanks especially for the tips for a newbie!

Is it normal for a 44yr old man to be getting excited about his first major train trip? LOL

Anyway, I happened to pick up a book by one of my favorite authors "The Christmas Train" by David Baldacci. I'm about halfway through it and his book is about a journalist who must get from Washington DC to Los Angeles via the Amtrak Train (he mentions the Cap and the SWC). Something tells me either he or one of his staff must be railfans because of the amount of detail he includes, along with an interesting cast of characters.

Perhaps those of you who have traveled the rails extensively may want to pick this up for a read and see what you think.

Again thanks everyone!

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Originally posted by jimdim8151:
Is it normal for a 44yr old man to be getting excited about his first major train trip? LOL

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Yes. In 2000, At the age of 40, I got positively giddy for six months awaiting my return to the rails after a 16 year absence. I've been giddy ever since.

At age 45, I got giddy again when I ordered a banjo, after being inspired by a bluegrass player I met on a train. Now I'm a giddy banjo picker and a giddy train rider.

Next, maybe I should take up horseback riding. Giddy-up.

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Anyway, I happened to pick up a book by one of my favorite authors "The Christmas Train" by David Baldacci.

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I enjoyed that story, though he took a few, shall we say, liberties with reality.

BTW, my first name is Jim, too.

When in February will you be traveling on the SWC? I'll be leaving the Naperville station on 2/13 and getting into LA and then on to SD on 2/15.

Just wondered?

During my first trip on the Southwest Chief, I slid the door of my Standard Room (sorry, "Roomette") completely shut before heading down the corridor at 6 a.m. to brush my teeth. Upon my return I discovered that, thanks to a faulty door latch, I was completely locked out of my room.

I wore my pajamas to breakfast while various members of the train crew labored for over two hours to get the door open, using everything from a Swiss Army knife to a crowbar to a sledgehammer.

Since then, I always leave the door open just a crack (with the inside curtain pulled across) whenever I leave a room. They say lightning doesn't strike twice. But I wouldn't count on it.

Mr. Toy - was the gentlemean you met on the train Richard Don Sims, by any chance? I met him on the Texas Eagle on my 2002 trip, and he played his banjo some on the train.

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Originally posted by City of Miami:
Yikes! The SWC roomette fare CHI-LAX is already almost $700 for next June. Too rich for my blood. I had been thinking of a visit to St. Louis, but nooooo.

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Ouchhhhh! If rates like this are now the norm it looks like my travel in the sleepers might be restricted to only those trips where I'm cashing in Guest Reward points!

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Originally posted by notelvis:
Well......my wife would consider it strange BUT at age 42 I consider being giddy about an upcoming train trip entirely normal.

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Same here!!! But she has been a great sport about it and has ome to appreciate the experience to a considerable degree, as she has trained around the country with me many times.

As I may have mentioned earlier, if I like this trip enough I will consider other trips in the future.

The only "down" side I see right now to my Feb. trip is that I'm burning up two out of the three weeks I get for vacation for the year. But to get away from the cold, ice, snow and slush that usually occupy the Chicago area in February in exchange for the (hopefully) sunny skies of San Diego, it will be worth it.

Ok, here's another question (yes, I do have a lot of questions don't I?) I've seen some posts on the forum regarding using a scanner to listen to the train radio frequencies as you travel. Anybody do this and is it worth it or is there so little to listen to that it wouldn't really be worth it?

Thanks,

When one or both of my 26 year old twins come along we do some skiing in New Mex. They have also loved this trip since about the age of 7, and prefer the train to get there.

My e-mail is jerrypete2@msn.com, so if we go at the same time we can meet on the train.

I have also taken your same trip to S.D. in the summer a couple of times, changing at Fullerton. The sudden view of the ocean and speedy trip down the coast was a great experience. I liked hanging out at Pacific Beach in S.D and driving around the harbor. This is not an easy city to drive around. Roads tend to turn around and go a different direction than they started out, unlike our midwest. Get some good maps and plan your route.

Are you going round trip or flying back?

Jerry Peterson in St. Paul MN.

My trip will be round trip on the rails.

I plan to use public transportation when in SD.
I went to school out East so I know all about those winding roads. Makes our east/west, north/south streets in the Chicago area look so much easier to figure out doesn't it? But I also understand why my friends from college call me a "flatlander" whenever they visit.

On the scanner... I have one, but my GPS is much more informative. {You can get a good Magellan Platinum or Gold on Ebay for about $200} The GPS lets you know where you are, how fast you're going, and, in most cases shows the track you are on and upcoming points of interest.

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Originally posted by chrisg:
I still get excited about trips even after 838.000 rail miles. I'm off to the Nevada Northern on Friday morning and can't wait for that to happen. The one that is really exciting me is my LAX to ORL round trip before Christmas. All the way across the USA in a roomette!

Chris

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I'll be looking forward to your trip report on the Sunset! I'm thinking of trying a New Orleans - El Paso trip in March. Given how problematic the Sunset's operation has been in recent months a firsthand report will help me finalize my plans.

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David Pressley

Unlike many others at this website, I suppose I'd have to say I am much more of a tourist than a train buff. By which I mean, I am much more interested in what is out the window than under my seat, and frankly am fairly ignorant about engines and tracks and train jargon. But I love train travel. It connects me to the past, and to so many things I love--my grandparents, Agatha Christie novels, names of places I'd only heard about, maps, geography, "the land." I really love it, and I am always so excited before a trip that I can barely sleep!

Re the sleeper: So far I have taken the sleeper only between NYC and South Florida, a trip I am making again this winter. I will also be taking sleepers when I go on the SW Chief (with my Guest Reward points I have a sleeper from Albany to Chicago and Chicago to the SW, and back) this coming May--I'm very excited about that trip! The sleeper style I've had thus far has a little commode inside, with a sink over it, so that I did not have to use any communal toilet. As I was just on the sleeper for one night, I decided to forego the shower--I just washed at my sink. Here is one tip I have re toilet facilities--now, don't laugh: Remember to close the curtains when you use the commode!!! Sometimes when you are tooling along looking out the window in your own little world, it is easy to forget!!!

The sleepers I've had locked only on the inside, as everyone here has said. However, I travel with few valuables, all of which I keep on my body or in my purse and take with me when I go any place else on the train (I suppose this could be a problem in the shower, but as I said, I did not use that and probably won't even on a two-day trip; I'll just wait till I get to my hotel). Men do not have purses, of course, but you might get a pack of some kind--a toiletry bag, back pack, something like that. It is the same if you travel coach and move around--you generally take your valuable stuff with you but leave your suitcase with clothing, books, foodstuffs, and other nonvaluable items at your seat, don't you?

As for what to bring, I advise either a Walkman or IPOD for music (and that too is something to take with you when you move about), books to read, a map of the route, and a description of the route that you can follow (there is a really cool description of the SW Chief route that I copied from on line but I forget the URL--someone else may know).

I also bring a mask for my eyes to keep out any light, though this is more important when I travel coach. And you might consider ear plugs, though I have never used those--I make my own CDs and, in addition to train songs and other travel ones, I make classical and other fairly soothing instrumental ones and play those to keep out the noise when I am going to sleep. Again, this is more important when I travel coach. The train noise does not bother me much; OTOH, people on their cell phones and crying babies in coach sure do!

I also wear clothing in layers, which for a February trip through the Rockies to CA you will probably want to do as well. In my case, I am going to Florida, so I do not want any bulky coats or boots. So I leave the NE wearing a thermal long johns under comfortable jeans or corduroy pants, and a thermal shirt under a warm pullover sweater under a not-too-bulky jacket (one that I can also wear at night in FL if it's cool) or a raincoat with a zip out lining, and a thin pair of socks under regular weight socks and comfortable shoes. Plus a warm pull-on hat and gloves. And I take one pair of even warmer socks with me, just in case.

Two other tips: you probably know this, but be sure to consider a suitcase with wheels--I find the others are such a hassle getting around in stations. And, if you wear glasses, take an empty case so you have some place safe to put them if you take them off at night.

Have a great trip!

Just wondering

Thanks everyone!

Does one do this at the end of the trip or each morning or evening?

Only 8 more weeks till my trip!