Auto Train Roomettes

[pmickus]

I have reserved 2 Roomettes for our upcoming trip. The reservationist assigned us Rooms 11 and 12 (across the hall from each other). Does anyone know if these are in a convenient area - are the upstairs or downstairs? Is it better to be upstairs or downstairs. Near the attendant or back of the car. I don't think we will need much help once we go to sleep but I don't want to be in an area near a lounge car where the kids might be disturbed.

 

[DC7800]

Every Superliner sleeper has a room 11 and a room 12, so that doesn't tell you where you'll be in the train consist.

Roomettes eleven and twelve are on the lower level next to the stairs and entryway. The attendant is normally on the upper level. These are the closest Roomettes to the restrooms and shower, incidentally.

There will be fewer people passing through the lower level, only those going to the restrooms, but you have to go upstairs to access the dining and lounge cars.

 

[pmickus]

Thanks for the insight. My husband seems to think there will be less sway in the cars if we are downstairs and I like the idea of not having to take a 9 yr old downstairs for the bathroom. But I will call back and ask to not be right next to the bathrooms. I don't want to hear a flushing toilet all night long. We are in Car 5342 - I assume that is the 42nd car since the it is train no 53.

 

[Henlady]

pmickus:
The lower level of the superliner car is set up as follows:
One end of the car has 2 basic restrooms with toilet and small sink, one restroom with an area where there is a sink and a small chair/stool and a restroom with a door that contains just the toilet, there is also a shower "room". The center part of the car is where the stairway comes down and there is an open area about 5 ft wide or so where there are the doors that you use to enter the train - these are closed/locked of course. Then the roomettes are on the other end of the car. There are 4 roomettes - two on each side of the car and a family room at the end/back of the car.
If you have rooms/roomettes, your lounge, and dining car will be in a separate car from the sleeping coaches, and will only be used by those in "first class" section. They serve a different dining menu in first class than they serve in "coach". Also, on the lower level you cannot walk from car to car, you must go to the upper level to do that, so it is more quiet in the lower level. The only people there will be the ones who have rooms there.

If you go to amtrak's website you can look at the layout of the different car setups.

When are you traveling? We have 2 roomettes (13 & 14) for our trip on May 14.

 

[NJRRK]

You will be on the same level as the restrooms, not next to them. The entry/exit vestibule for the car will be between your rooms and the restrooms.

When we went down in 2007 we had roomettes 13 and 14. You can leave your door open during the day and chat back and forth across the hall, the only people that will pass by your rooms will be those in roomettes 13 and 14 and those in the family bedroom. Much better than having EVERYONE schlepping past your rooms as you would on the upper level.

This is the hallway that the five rooms are in.

DW and DD in the room across from ours (me and DS).

Anything else? I've taken the autotrain 4 times but know nothing about coach travel.

 

[DC7800]

Thanks for the insight. My husband seems to think there will be less sway in the cars if we are downstairs and I like the idea of not having to take a 9 yr old downstairs for the bathroom. But I will call back and ask to not be right next to the bathrooms. I don't want to hear a flushing toilet all night long. We are in Car 5342 - I assume that is the 42nd car since the it is train no 53.

As other have noted, you are not directly next to the restrooms. The vestibule and stairs are between your rooms and the restrooms. Car 5342 is train #53, but 42 does not indicate it is the 42nd car. It should be ahead of the dining car southbound, first or second car from the diner (I forget if there is a 5340 car).

 

[pmickus]

Thanks for all the info. Friends of ours went down in coach over Spring Break. They convinced us to reserve a roommette. It was cheaper for us to take 2 roomettes than 1 family so we will split the kids between us. I will just leave the reservation as it stands now. I have only taken the Acela train to NYC so this will be an experience for everyone. My husband lived in Europe for 7 years so he is super excited to be taking the train in July.

 

[pmickus]

Does anyone know what kind of kid's food is served for dinner?

 

[NJRRK]

I don't remember exactly what was for dinner but I remember having an excellent filet mignon cooked perfectly with a baked potato, salad, vegetable, there was wine available, I also remember at least a fish and vegetarian dish, and possibly a chicken dish too.

Dinner is served at seatings, since there are four of you you will be seated in a booth by yourselves, couples are seated together, service is with a smile, on "china" plates real cutlery and glasses, tablecoths cloth napkins and scenery. I have always tipped the waiter, don't know if that necessary or not.

Breakfast is come as you go, not as fancy, but as long as you're fine with muffins cereal, etc for breakfast you won't go away hungry.

Coach meals are less elaborate.

 

[NJ&SSR]

Does anyone know what kind of kid's food is served for dinner?

The have chicken strips and mac and cheese for the kids. The kids can also order off the regular menu which is normally a steak of some type, roast chicken, or a fish. All meals also have a salad and dessert.