My husband and I are elderly and planning a 26-hour trip in a chair car. Can you give us any suggestions on how to make it as comfortable as possible? Is luggage accessible during the trip? Where are carry-on bags stored. Thanks.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
quote:Originally posted by birkie: My husband and I are elderly and planning a 26-hour trip in a chair car. Can you give us any suggestions on how to make it as comfortable as possible?
Go sleeper - and that means a Bedroom or two Roomettes
Real comfort means two Bedrooms en-suite. While that is a bit rich for my Scotch blood (Mother's maiden name: Browning); I have seen it done with two people on Auto Train.
But guess what, their Lexus LX-470 was simply 'back there' with my buggy.
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
quote:Originally posted by birkie: My husband and I are elderly and planning a 26-hour trip in a chair car. Can you give us any suggestions on how to make it as comfortable as possible? Is luggage accessible during the trip? Where are carry-on bags stored. Thanks.
Mr. Norman's preferences for sleepers are well known. I agree with him that sleepers are more comfortable, but having spent many hours overnight in coaches, (mostly when I was a student) I can attest to the fact that it ain't all that bad. A sleeper isn't always within budget, so if the choice is between coach and not riding, ride coach!
Coach seats on long distance trains recline about 45 degrees. They have ample space between rows so that you can stretch out your legs without hitting the seat in front. Adjustable leg and foot rests help you find a reasonably comfortable sleeping position. But don't expect to get a lot of sleep the first time. It takes some getting used to. The more you do it the easier it gets.
Small airline-style pillows are provided by your coach attendant. But its BYOB (bring your own blanket). Many experienced coach travelers use their overcoats effectively as blankets.
You don't say which train you'll be riding, so I don't know what type of rail car you'll be in. Most long distance trains operate bi-level Superliners. They have public luggage storage racks on the lower level. A small amount of storage space is available over your seat, and below the seat in front of you.
On Superliner trains the rest rooms are located on the lower level. They are pretty tiny, but coach cars also have a spacious handicapped rest room. You don't have to be handicapped to use it, and it tends to be cleaner that the others.
Now, the regulars will get tired of reading this, but my standard advice to first timers is to expect to have fun, but don't expect perfection. Most Amtrak trips seem to involve a few glitches, especially with timekeeping. If you are flexible enough to roll with them, you'll get along just fine. If you want everything "just so" you could be disappointed.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
As always, I fully appreciate and respect Mr. Toy's level headed comments both here and at other forums at which we both participate.
One side tells me that Mr. and Mrs. Birkie have riden trains in the past as the term "Chair Car" is one associated with the railroads. The Santa Fe is the first of such coming to mind. I do not believe Amtrak has ever used that term to describe any accomodation. I have checked some early Amtrak timetables when they held 'turnkey' purchase of service contracts with the roads and I note the absence of such term.
If the Birkie's are new travelers, I have thought over the years that some reservation agents do not adequately explain the absolutely 'two different worlds" between the classes of service on the train, as distinct from the "slight" difference between air travel First Class and Coach.
But there is no question whatever the surcharge for Sleeper over coach is "steep'. On a recent trip (note: historical fare) Chi-NY and return, the Roomette fare was $754.80. Had the trip been in Coach, the fare would have been $158.80.
However, strange as it as to me, there are passengers out there who can well afford Sleeper yet choose to travel coach. Here is related discussion of such.
I agree with Mr. Norman and say go sleeper if at all possible. (remember meals are included in the sleeper!) During college, I would often take coach on "The Texas Eagle" (Walnut Ridge, Arkansas to Chicago) because the cost of a sleeper was pretty much of out the question since it cost more than a month's rent at that point. But now I am more established, I only go sleeper on overnight trips.
Maybe coach wouldn't be so bad overnight if you can get two seats together (GET IN LINE EARLY!) -- but I am single -- so taking coach is always a crap shoot. It's not bad if no one sits next to me, but on a crowded train and getting stuck next to someone who is a cell phone talker or tends to have other obnoxious behaviors can really ruin the whole trip. Then I just find myself hiding out in the lounge car the whole day.
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
It has been my experience that coach attendants make every effort to see that two people traveling together sit together.
Posted by johnhedge (Member # 4241) on :
If you can sleep in your easy chair, you can sleep in coach. Would suggest a blanket, inflatable seat cushion and a pillow, and if you are a light sleeper foam ear plugs. I am 30% deaf so it was not a problem once the kids quieted down about 10:00pm. They turned the lights down at 10:00pm and stopped making announcements at that time.
On my recent excursion I slept in coach for 28 days and slept comfortably. Of course the grand kids say gram-pa can sleep anywhere.
On each of the 8 lines I rode , traveling solo, I had a seat all to myself. They did put couples together having people move if necessary to accommodate this.
My on board luggage was a rolling duffel, which I left downstairs and worked out of for food and other necessities. A backpack and my Playmate 12 can cooler with my medicines in it, which I put in the overhead and the cooler on the floor by my feet. The cafe car attendant was nice enough to provide me with ice for my refrigerated medicines. I had no problem taking these items aboard and the conductors were very helpful in helping me on and off with my luggage.
I figure sleeper roomettes would have cost me $2800.00 which is 4 months Social Security checks.
Have a good trip
John
Posted by birkie (Member # 4443) on :
Thanks all of you for your comments. We are taking the Empire Builder from WI to Glacier Park (26 hrs). Our only other extended train experience was making the same trip 24 years ago. At that time we had a sleeper going and coach coming home. I hated the upper bunk in the sleeper as it rocked so badly and I felt very closed in with the roof so close. The coach was a big improvement. Will we need a blanket in July? John, did I understand you to say you could get into your duffle in the lower level for food, etc.?
Posted by johnhedge (Member # 4241) on :
No problem getting to the duffel. I put it on the floor under the luggage rack and could just pull it in and out as needed. Only problem was if the toilets were busy I had to keep letting people get by. If you put it in the handicap space which is on the lower level and has luggage racks, you avoid this problem. I didn't do it as I wander at night and did not want to be bother sleepers by opening and closing the doors and rummaging through my duffel.
Blanket is still a good idea. They keep the air conditioning on 24/7 as heat is lost when outside doors are opened, and it can be very cold at night. I came across there in May and had my coat on with my blanket and a couple layers of clothes and was still cold, especially in the Rockies at higher elevations.
John
Posted by dilly (Member # 1427) on :
Ms. Birkie,
The Empire Builder uses bi-level Superliner coaches, and most seats are on the upper level. However, as has been mentioned in one of the above posts, all of the rest rooms are on the lower level. If you feel that hiking up and down the stairs will be bothersome, note that there's also a small passenger seating area on the lower level. If you'd prefer to sit down there, specifically request lower level seats when you book your trip.
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Posted by Tanner929 (Member # 3720) on :
Take a trip on the New York City to New Haven, on the Metro North commuter train after that the Amtrak coach seats will feel like a Lazy Boy Lounge Chair in your living room.