Autotrain standard sleeper ?????

[Teacher510]

We took the Autotrain last summer but only coach. We're hoping to get more sleep this year!! If anyone has had a standard sleeper any info would be helpful, specifically:
How nearby are the bathrooms? Showers, too?
Are there videos in the room or just the lounge?
How easy is the top bunk to get in and out of(stairs or ladder?) and not fall out of?
Is there room to get changed in the sleeper compartment?
How much to tip attendant?
Any thing else that would differ from the coach experience would be welcome! Thanks!

 

[DVC Chris]

Hi,

The std sleepers have two 'reclining seats' that face each other. The compartment is just a bit bigger than the width of one of the seats. There are std sleepers on each side of the car with the aisle down the center. In the evening, the two seats fold down to make the lower bunk and the upper bunk swings out of the celing. There is one bathroom on the upper level, three additional bathrooms on the lower level and a shower room. We never had to wait for a bathroom nor the shower room.

There is no videos in any of the compartments on the Superliner cars (AutoTrain). The video is only shown in the lounges. The top bunk is tight, but not too hard (in my opinion) to get into and out of. It has a set of straps which you snap in after you are in the bed to help stop you from falling out. There is SOME room to get changed in the sleeper compartment. It's a bit tight, but it's possible. Obviously, you do have a door which can be closed and locked from the inside and you have curtains to pull over for privacy.

I'm not sure what the 'going tipping rate' would be for the car attendents. We usually tip about $10. Hope we're not being cheap.

This site: {http://communities.prodigy.net/trains/amtauto.htm} has some real good info on the Auto Train.

We have taken it twice and have reservations to take it (hopefully) in December.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

 

[hookedup]

It is nice to have a sleeper but newbies often are shocked at how very small the compartment is. The bunks themselves are 24 inches wide. I forget the overall compartment width but it is tight - look on Amtrak.com for specs. I recommend you take a tape measure and measure out the size on your floor - mark it with some tape or string - this will really show you what sort of room you have.
There are some good websites with pictures and stories. The link left above by Chris for the prodigy travel tips page is some of the best info I have seen. Also check on trainweb.com or amtraktrains.com for other info regarding your questions. $5.00 a day to tip attendent is okay, but if they have helped you a lot or gone to fetch food etc I would tip more. Also tipping in the dining car should be done as to regular restaurant standars (even though you are not actually paying at the time for your meals.
Hope this helps!

 

[Teacher510]

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions!! I just might take you up on your offer to answer more questions-they're likely to come up! I will also take your advise to check out the dimensions so we're not expecting too much. I feel less guilty with DD in the upper bunk knowing that there is a restraint system. She's 5 inches shorter than I am so I thought that she'd fit better than I would. Thanks again!!