Amtrak for dummies - Not a Disney trip

[MMCD]

I am so sad that we cannot go home to WDW during spring break. I have to help my mother while my father is recovering from a near death sickness.

Airfare is too expensive for two (taking 10yo ds). I am amazed how the 2 of us can travel on Amtrak for under $300 RT!

I have never taken an overnight train before. I was hoping you can help me.

I am taking the Texas Eagle for an 18 hour trip.

1. What does reserved coach mean compared to lower level coach? Which is better? It's the same price. No, I cannot afford a sleeper room.

2. Each of us plan to bring a duffle bag for clothes (like Airline carry on) and a backpack as my purse/briefcase to carry my laptop while son is carrying dvd player. Should I check in the 2 duffle bags or just take it with me on the train? After Amtrak, I need to take the metrolink to the airport where I will take a taxi to my parents since neither will be able to pick us up at Amtrak. So I don't want to take 1 big luggage for our clothes.

3. If I do just carry on the duffle bag, will it be safe in our seats while we are at the dining cart, bathroom, step off the train...? I plan to carry the backpacks around with us at all times. I would NOT leave that at my seat unlike on an airplane, right?

4. I tried looking for a menu at Amtrak's website. I can't find it. Is there one? Can somebody please show me the link?

TIA

 

[FiggieFan]

Here is the Texas Eagle menu link - they also usually have a cafe car for snacks, sodas and sandwiches:

http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/570/547/Texas-Eagle-Dining-Menu,0.pdf

I always try to bring smaller bags that we can carry on - we have never checked in luggage on Amtrak. We have never had a problem leaving anything on the train - I would leave the duffle bags in the overhead compartment instead of putting them in your seats if you step away. They will mark your coach seat with a tag (above) listing your final destination. Every car has a bathroom or two, so you won't be too far for the most part except when you go for food. I just take my bag with important stuff with me. I always leave my DVD player behind and personally that has never been an issue.

I also would never step off the train until I got to my final destination - they have a few stops along the way where they will let the smokers step off and they are designated smoking stops, but they leave when they want and are ready. Unless you are a smoker, I wouldn't do it. They will make it quite clear that they will leave when they are ready and most stops aren't that long.

Not sure what the difference between reserved coach is the other is. Watch the prices - the prices for Amtrak usually go up as the trip gets closer so we always try to book early. Maybe reserved coach means you have a seat in case the train sells out - I have seen trains sell out before and have watched them turn people away who have not had tickets purchased already - but that is just my guess.

 

[MMCD]

I read that I should bring duct tape so I can tape it around my waist and tape the other end to the train so it won't leave me.

I figured the prices would be like Disney prices. Are the portions reasonable? Can we split the dinner entre?

 

[SteveMouse]

Portions are not large. I don't think I'd try to split a dinner meal. The food is quite good (in the dining car). The cafe options are often microwavable product.

-steve

 

[pepe of ohio]

We use Amtrak alot....


We do use the baggage car, we each have a good size rolling duffel, but it's not something I want to wheel thru a car and will not fit in the overhead ... Certain cars have luggage storage either on first level it in the rear of a car, not alot though....

As for leaving our stuff unattended in coach, we never do that, we do club car meals or what we brought and one person stays seated and the other fetches.....just don't trust anyone anyplace... Only time we use the actual dining car is when we're in sleepers .... Meals are quite good, decent portions but too small to share and priced kind of high....

We take food and drink aboard, stay in our coach seats and only one of us up and about at any time.... We can easily sleep for one night in coach!!

Further out you book, the cheaper it is and we have AAA for the train discount 10%..

 

[MMCD]

I am AAA also. I'm buying tix today as the specials end Feb 4. I signed up to get email specials hoping that prices may go down.

I plan for my DS backpack to carry snacks and drinks. Can I easily get hot water from dining? My son likes yokasoba. Im thinking that would be good for a meal.

What time are you suppose to arrive before train departure?

Does Amtrak ever do specials on a sleeper? I'm not getting one for this trip but we plan to go to Los Angeles for the summer.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I am AAA also. I'm buying tix today as the specials end Feb 4. I signed up to get email specials hoping that prices may go down.

I plan for my DS backpack to carry snacks and drinks. Can I easily get hot water from dining? My son likes yokasoba. Im thinking that would be good for a meal.

What time are you suppose to arrive before train departure?

Does Amtrak ever do specials on a sleeper? I'm not getting one for this trip but we plan to go to Los Angeles for the summer.

Not sure on the hot water, shouldn't be a problem in the club car though since most are microwaved....

We try to arrive 30-60 minutes before arrival time, ours is an unmanned station and it stops at 3am, usually Kate so we check the Amtrak app or call and see how and where the train actually is before we walk down to the boarding area.... No matter when it arrives, it stays a minute or so and then goes, it waits for no one so be there and ready anytime after your scheduled time.

Never seen pre-boarding specials on sleepers.... But we have asked during a trip if any are still available ( roomettes ) and get them at a decent discounted price.... Really decent when all meals are included...a sleeper you pay once for the unit, not the people but meals are included for everyone.....

Join Amtrak Rewards Program too and start racking up the points for future travel, get their MasterCard and receive like 12000 point right after its first use....check out their program!!

 

[MMCD]

Thx, Ohio. I joined their rewards program.

I purchased regular reserved coach in the upper level. Lower level means the 1st level of a double decker.

Does Amtrak offer pillows and blankets for free use? Or should I bring them?

 

[pepe of ohio]

Thx, Ohio. I joined their rewards program.

I purchased regular reserved coach in the upper level. Lower level means the 1st level of a double decker.

Does Amtrak offer pillows and blankets for free use? Or should I bring them?

Pillows usually provided, quite small... Blankets they sell, not provided.... We take our own and same with a pillow... Prefer our own...

It does get downright cold in coach, A/C not regulated that well, blanket and stocking cap recommended, along with eye mask and war plugs!!

Upper level is more cozy, lower level is usly for handicapped, restrooms are on lower level and tend to smell after awhile ....pick upper away from down stairs steps, less traffic, rear and front of car less noise and traffic than middle..

 

[lizziegirl450]

haha This is pretty long, sorry about that.

I've taken the Coast Starlight line (LA to Seattle) a couple of times, which is an overnight train, but I've always sat in coach because I'm only on it for 12 hours. I love Amtrak and have used it since I was a kid but there is definitely some difference between the overnight trains and the normal day time trains.

The overnight ones have different cars. The bottom floor has a couple of bathrooms, some racks, and seating for the disabled. The upper floor is a bunch of seats mostly and maybe a water spigot, as well as the doors to the other cars. If no one in your party is disabled, I recommend sitting on the top floor. Also, the stairs between the two floors are quite tight, so that may be a reason to choose the bottom floor. From my experience the conductors assign you a seat in the car based on your destination. When arriving to a destination they only open the doors on the cars that have people leaving on them. So, say when I get off at Simi Valley, all the Simi people are in one car out of the whole coach section.

The seats are pretty uncomfortable to lay out on because of the arm rests, but they recline and a leg rest comes out so you can try to catch some sleep that way. Definitely bring ear plugs and LOTS of entertainment. 18 hours may not sound too bad now (12 hours didn't to me), but it'll feel like forever while you're on the train. You can (and should) leave your duffle bags in the bag racks downstairs or wherever you can find space (you won't need to check them if you don't have a need to). But your backpacks should be totally fine at your seat or in the overhead storage. I've never seen any instances of theft on the train so I wouldn't worry about your belongs, just take your super expensive things like your wallets and whatnot when you walk around the train.

Metrolink is also a great train line, but they're super punctual. So definitely try to be early for them or you'll end up missing the train like I did. Also, they're designed for commuters, so you'll be lucky to find a clean bathroom.

I hope you and your family have a great train ride! It can be a good time for family bonding!

 

[MMCD]

My experience was quite an experience!!! I'm not going to complain about it cause the Amtrak employees did the best they could to accommodate my son and myself. We finally ate dinner at 11pm. We had brought sandwiches to eat around 4:30pm on a bus.

Notes for future:
1. Bring food!! - The dining train was booked and the snack cart was low on food since they were not able to fill up. A nice man gave me some food to eat around 9pm since I was a bit shaky waiting for my dinner reservation.

2. I noticed people left their laptops up and running when the train was moving while people were not in their seats. I was at the the dining train trying to figure out my options when my son left our seats to go to the bathroom. As I walked back, I noticed laptops and DVDs out where the seat was unoccupied. I was shocked to see my laptop unattended. My son said he had to go and waited as long as he could for me. So I felt comfortable.

3. I am so glad to bring eye covers. The lights are quite bright on the train.

Other than a stiff neck, I did have a great time.