All about the Autotrain

[Capt_BJ]

Just got done reading this thread and have a question. My DW and I are planning our July 07 trip. My wife is due to give birth to our first child in the begining Nov so the baby will be 8 months old for the trip. What are some opinions on sleeping arrangments for the three of us? Would a Superliner Roomette be possible? I was wondering about the space if the baby was in a carrier on the bed with my DW? I also read about getting a bulkhead in Coach to place the carrier there. I guess another option is on the lower level in Coach where there is less traffic and less noise that could disturb the baby.

Any advice/experience woudl be appreciated. Thanks!

-Matt

Have you looked at AMTRAC's page yet?

Here's what they say about their accomodations
Choose Your Accommodations

"Sit back and relax in your roomy coach seat or reserve a private Bedroom or Roomette.

• Bedrooms: Our Bedrooms feature comfortable seating by day, with a private restroom and shower. In the evening, and attendant will convert the seats into sleeping berths.
• Roomettes: Our Roomettes are designed for one or two people, with a restroom and shower facilities nearby.
• Special Accommodations: We also offer special accommodations for families with small children and for customers with special needs."

Here's a virtual view of a roomette: http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Accommodations_Page&c=am2Copy&cid=1080080553972&ssid=142

note that dimensions graphic. When in the bed configuration the roomette has just about enough room to stand up betweet the beds and the wall to the coridore. So if you will be OK with the baby on the bed... (I have no idea if AMTRAC has rules about this btw....) but trust me...there's no where to fit a baby seat or portable crib other than in your lap!

I did a roomette solo a while back (used AutoTrain as a way to get a classic car from FL to VA) and it was fine for one....

 

[mwehttam]

Thanks Captain. Looking at the virtual tour it does look as it would be tight for my DW and I plus a baby carrier with the little one.

We are thinking of the lower level since from the descriptions there is less foot traffic and might be more comfortable with the baby.

Any one else's experience of the AT with a baby would be great!

-Matt

 

[DisneyPoly]

I would definitely vote for the lower level. It is much quieter and more conducive to a sleeping baby

 

[mwehttam]

I would definitely vote for the lower level. It is much quieter and more conducive to a sleeping baby.

Thanks! I think that is what we are leaning towards.

-Matt

 

[cherylp3]

Just a warning depending on the time of year You may not be able to get lower level due to the increased amount of snowbirds.

 

[bdcp]

If you book far enough out, you can get any room. If you're talking July it will not be a problem with snowbirds to get lower level. They tend to go south in Oct/Nov and North around May. Even then, you can still get a room if you don't wait too long. Most of the snowbirds on our trip last year were in coach, not in rooms.

 

[MouseCrazy96]

Can someone please fill me in on what a snowbird is??? I have never heard of them. Are they actually inside the auto train during certain parts of the year? Should I be concerned and try to not take the train during that part of the year? Do they bother people?

 

[Capt_BJ]

Can someone please fill me in on what a snowbird is??? I have never heard of them. Are they actually inside the auto train during certain parts of the year? Should I be concerned and try to not take the train during that part of the year? Do they bother people?

Snowbird...... a seasonal Florida resident. During the winter months I swore there were more lic' plates from Canada than Florida in Cape Canaveral!

The Snowbirds from up north flock to their winter abode ...

 

[MouseCrazy96]

LOL! thanks CAPT_BJ for filling me in! I feel so silly now for asking that! I actually thought there was some type of bird or bug inside the train! lol oh gosh, I am so embarressed!!

 

[Capt_BJ]

I know ... I wondered if the question was tounge in cheek

at work when we do such things they are written off to 'senior moments'

 

[cherylp3]

bumping

 

[bdcp]

Just took the train rt Lorton to Sanford on 09-18 Nov. for our cruise. We got back Sunday morning (11/19) We were only 1 hour late getting into Sanford and 30 minutes early getting into Lorton. This was a bumpier ride than last year but I'm convinced it's because we were able to maintain speed since we had only a couple of minor slow downs and no real stops so every bump was at max speed. We also had a roomette and we found it not very comfortable. The bunks were narrow and the "mattress" is a not very thick pad. We will probably take coach next time. Last year in coach we slept at least 5 hours. I doubt we got more than 2-3 hours this time. The food in sleeper for dinner was better than coach though. The "best" part of this trip was in Sanford our car was #5 from the last and in Lorton #7. At that point we actually wanted to be last!

And, as usual we met some great people. Everyone is very friendly.

 

[mwehttam]

The food in sleeper for dinner was better than coach though.

I thought the food was all the same regardless of where your seats were. Is this not the case?

-Matt

 

[cherylp3]

No The food in sleepers is better than the food in coach.

 

[SunKat]

Just took the train rt Lorton to Sanford on 09-18 Nov. for our cruise. We got back Sunday morning (11/19) We were only 1 hour late getting into Sanford and 30 minutes early getting into Lorton. This was a bumpier ride than last year but I'm convinced it's because we were able to maintain speed since we had only a couple of minor slow downs and no real stops so every bump was at max speed. We also had a roomette and we found it not very comfortable. The bunks were narrow and the "mattress" is a not very thick pad. We will probably take coach next time. Last year in coach we slept at least 5 hours. I doubt we got more than 2-3 hours this time. The food in sleeper for dinner was better than coach though. The "best" part of this trip was in Sanford our car was #5 from the last and in Lorton #7. At that point we actually wanted to be last!

And, as usual we met some great people. Everyone is very friendly.

Thanks for the info. We were debating whether or not to get a roomette/family suite or take coach. I think you've just convinced me. This will be our first time taking the Auto Train (we usually fly) and we're looking forward to it.

 

[xyzabc33]

This is a great thread. TY for all the info. We are (well at least if I can convince the BF to do it) maybe taking this next year if we go down. I liked having the car last time to come and go as I pleased with a toddler. I looked into the cost and it was comparable to a flight which with all the restrictions on things and me with my over being prepared is not an option. Cross your fingers for me that I can talk him into it. I love traveling by train and he and my DD never have so hopefully......

 

[christinou]

I have traveled in both coach and roomette, and I have to say that after a room we could not go back to coach. It was very loud in coach as of course you are not alone in the train, people kept going by and the doors between compartments are very loud, the beds might not be very comfortable but al least you can stretch out. The food is indeed much nicer in sleepers, we actually had filet of beef that was perfectly prepared, the breakfast food is the same.
Of course this is my opinion, we always book very early so we can generally get fairly good prices, and we go at a time, president's week when flight from the Northeast are extremely expensive so for us it makes a lot of sense.

 

[Henlady]

Christinou:
I agree with you about not going back to coach once you've had a room. DH and I always traveled coach until last October when we got a room, then in June we did a roomette again, on our September trip, we tried coach going from Lorton to Sanford. We were in the lower level by request and there were only 3 other people in the car, however DH decided he much preferred the comfort/solitude of a roomette, so on the Sanford to Lorton return trip we upgraded to the roomette. That is now the only way DH says he wants to travel. Never again in coach. DH is 6'2" and I am 6", and we have no problem with space in the roomette. The beds are not "hotel" quality, but we find them comfortable enough and do sleep just fine. Food is definately better in first class. On the way down in coach the selections were: salisbury steak, chicken with tomato sauce, cod and veggie lasagna. In "first Class" choices were NY strip steak, Chicken Marsala, grilled salmon and the veggie lasagna.

 

[bdcp]

Having done both, roomettes were only quieter from internal noise. The train noise is the same. We found the roomettes a pain because there is no room to stand. I would only avoid coach if we could get a good deal on a bedroom where there is actually room to change clothes and turn over. We slept more hours in coach than in the roomette both ways (as I stated before). The roomette is probably best for one person or an adult and a child. I found the beds very uncomfortable as the pads on the top bunk is almost nonexistent and the lower one isn't that thick. What I wish is that the seats in the roomettes reclined like coach instead of making beds. It'd be more comfortable to sleep on them. I like the idea of a room with a door, but I also like to sleep.

 

[lkneller]

Is there an observation car? Is there anywhere to go just to walk around when you get tired of sitting? Do you think it will be crowded on Dec 16 Sanford to Lorton?