Beginner's guide to Amtrak travel needed!

[IvyandLace]

I am in the midst of helping my husband plan a WDW trip in June 2010 for six of his high school students. We (along with another teacher) will be chaperoning and are planning on taking Amtrak from Rocky Mount, NC to Kissimmee. This will be the first time that any of us (group of 9) will be taking Amtrak, and I would like to know everything about this experience as possible before we leave.

We will be in coach seating as the rooms are just out of our price range for this budget trip. How many cars are there on the Silver star line? I noticed that the route includes many stops along the way...how are the stops handled? How long does each stop take? Are there electrical outlets near out seats so that people can use electrical devices throughout the trip? What should we plan on bringing with us as we travel by rail?

Are we allowed to check a cooler as luggage? We are also thinking of bringing a smaller cooler with us to store snacks and drinks...is this allowed and where would we put this to keep it out of people's way? I read somewhere that it is always best to get the last car to keep down on foot traffic-when we are allowed to board, do we have assigned seating?

How is check-in handled with luggage? Is it like the airport where all of our bags will go through security? Do we go through a metal detector?

Thank you for any information that you can share to help this first-timer!

IVY

 

[skiingfast]

There are not outlets at each seat but there are some to be found. I would suggest bringing a outlet splitter or powerstrip. He only wanted to be able to charge his phone and camera, but their were twenty people hoping to use the outlet so it got good use.


i haven't been on this train but another poster told me they board front to back as they travel south. You won't be able to pick where you sit on the whole of the train. And if there is space they will block of the rear most cars.

At the stops you can get off and stretch they need to refill water and such, plus passengers load unload so you get a little time to walk around at the station.

Boarding is more like a bus you get in and they thow the checked bags on you walk on. Really no security.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

lots of good questions! I agree the is really no security on a train-shhh!Seats are first come...No metal detectors.Cooler could be with you if size of a carry on-just put it down near your feet or up above you.I have a train report I will bump up for you

 

[terribm]

Ivy, what day are you departing from Rocky Mount? (I am from Wilson btw) I think we might be on the same train! We are going coach too.
6 teenagers....wow. You are brave.

 

[ioneblair]

there are outlets at each pair of seats right under the window.....the seats recline enough to get comfortable and usually you can check your luggage in at the station a 50 lb limit....yes, keep valuables tucked safely away with you.....we took the silver service to orlando in 2008 and checked our luggage at the station and carried food and drink on board with us.....just came from Niagara Falls this month and this time we just hauled our cases on with us....carried food both ways, brother bought on board buckets of fried chicken and all to save $$.....outlets the same, at each pair of seats so we've found that they are plentiful enough....they are double sockets too......

there is a snack car selling sandwiches, beverages including alcohol and tables to sit and eat in that car or your seat has a pull down tray to eat at-seat if you prefer......

if not checking luggage, there is plenty of overhead space for luggage and carry-ons unless you pack a LOT and there is enough space at your feet to put small bag or such there and still have leg room....also there is a space at the front of the car for luggage, agreed, it's not secure but so many bags can be stacked there, kind of obvious if one tries to break into your bag.....plus don't forget luggage locks.....

be patient as there can be delays since frieght cars have to have first choice on the rails.....

take bathroom sanitary stuffs with you if you want to wipe or spray a bit since it's public but there is soap and paper supplies in there for the necessary.....

I'm planning Philly to Miami if I can't get decent airfares......but we've done Philly to Portland, Oregon roundtrip and kids loved it

 

[AnnaS]

Pillows and blanket too - it can get cold.