Train Trip

[c214dick]

We're planning a trip from Chicago to Sacramento via train. Has anyone done a long train trip? Wondering whether we should stay with the reserved coach seats or spend the extra $ for a sleeper.

[twindman]

I went from Arizona to Galena, Ill. 28 years ago and just had coach seats. If you haven't ridden Amtrak recently (well I am not exactly recent, I guess) the seats are QUITE large and roomy. To be honest I can't remember if I slept well or not, but back then I could sleep anywhere.
Hopefully others will pipe in and offer better advice.

[JandC]

We haven't ridden long distances for about 20 years. The last long distance was from Chicago to Dallas area. At 6'1" the seats didn't seem all that roomy to me and it was pretty hard to really sleep. My father-in-law took a long distance trip a couple years ago and had a sleeper car room. He said the bed was so small you could hardly stay in it and he never did actually sleep.

[BB_TX]

No personal experience. But a hunting buddy said he and his wife had a sleeper from Dallas to Chicago. She had the lower bunk and he the upper. He said it was so close to the ceiling he could not turn over. But he is a fairly large man.

[DonandBonnie]

Part of your decision will be your own level of comfort needs. Sleeping in coach will be no different than sleeping in a lounge chair at home. You can wash up and shave in the restrooms at the end of the coach. No showers in coach. Depending on the accommodation you select, the sleeper could include a shower in your private room. Usually on Amtrak, all meals in the diner are included in the first class ticket.

[J-KB]

The trains are not that comfortable, in the sleepers, I had family visit from the Chicago area they rode the train to SF and said that the train had square wheels.

[Mike117]

I went from Vancouver Canada to Nova Soctia which is across the whole country of Canada. Get the sleeper. Via rail is probably different than Am track. My father and I went and we were what was called the Park car. It had two lower beds and not a bunk system. You get as normal sleep as you can.

[Exnavydiver]

I think the extra money is worth it. Get an economy sleeper and you are bumped to 1st class. Car security is a lot better, you get your meals during 3 seatings. Soda and water used to be free in the sleeper cars. The economy sleepers are two bed units, one up and one down which become two facing seats during the day. I took the Capital Limited to DC from Chicago twice a year for the first 6 yrs after moving back to the midwest. Loved the train...

[c214dick]

Kind of confusing on the sleeper issue. On the Amtrak schedule site it shows the only sleeper available with a toilet and sink is the top end. When watching the videos it shows a toilet, like an RV, and a fold down sink. Everything else is the same as described by Amtrak. Guess I'll have to call for verification. Considering stopping in Denver to visit our middle son and family and doing non stop on the way home from Sac to Chi. Which ever leg is the full run we will have a sleeper. Surprisingly from Chi to Den is 18 hrs with all the stops. That's about the same time we spend on the road when we drive straight through so no sleeper required. The second leg from Den to Sac is 30 hrs so we may need one. Sac to Chi is 48 hrs so definitely want the sleeper for that.

[Exnavydiver]

When I was making the capital run each car had a dozen econ sleepers or more and about 4 or 5 staterooms. The staterooms had showers and the fold down toilets. The econ sleepers had two facing seats and you used one of two showers on the lower deck. All the sleeper cars had two decks. They are called Roomettes now. Same as economy sleeper used to be. http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten...=1241210576173

[PackerFan]

Be like the Hobos and just hop a Boxcar and you can have all the room you need!!

[Artemus Gordon]

Just did the trip from Sac to Chiacgo. Yes get births and remember you can sit anywhere in the train when your not napping, observation rooms etc. It's worth the money to have your own "Steward"! Very helpful and attentive!

[old turbo]

Made a couple of trips the past year only short ones. If you do not get a sleeper try to get the seats at the very front of the car they maybe for wheel chair but never saw anyone with wheel chair on the train. A lot of leg roon and extra area for bags. On a train switch someone beat us to the front seats and wife and I were cramped in the regular seats, we are both tall.

[twindman]

Apparently things change in 28 years! Back then VERY roomy seats. Dang, I guess I will forget about the 30 day travel package they had - maybe that is gone too....

quote:Originally posted by old turbo

Made a couple of trips the past year only short ones. If you do not get a sleeper try to get the seats at the very front of the car they maybe for wheel chair but never saw anyone with wheel chair on the train. A lot of leg roon and extra area for bags. On a train switch someone beat us to the front seats and wife and I were cramped in the regular seats, we are both tall.

[c214dick]

Which sleeper did you Artemus?

[Artemus Gordon]

Superliner Bedroom! Was nice retreat and worth the money! Enjoy the trip!

[c214dick]

Train is on hold as our dog sitter is going in for surgery. Trip is still on via car so Chyanne can go with. Twice the time but still want to see our son in Ca.

[c214dick]

Leaving Tues AM for Ca. Hope to make it in 4 days. Depending on the route it looks about 2200 miles which is 550/day. The only problem is the motels that allow pets don't quite fall in that daily range, so some days will be shorter and others longer. The trip back will be by way of Colorado so we can visit our middle son and family. That should be a little easier to plan our stops. Our familiarity with the state makes a big difference.

[jpkelpe]

Safe travels