Roomette temperatures

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Chey

Chey

Lead Service Attendant
Joined
Sep 27, 2014
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475
Location
NW TX
I usually travel between April and September and if anything, the overnight temperatures in the roomettes tend to be a little on the warm side.

This time I'm going in December, on the Eagle and the CL. If I were going coach I'd bring my Sherpa throw, but I've got a roomette and am wondering what others have experienced in the sleepers in winter.
 
In the winter Amtrak runs sleepers like a sauna for the elderly passengers. Which would be fine if they supplied cooling controls with each compartment. Since that's not the case if you don't like it hot you might be at the mercy of whatever the SCA is or is not willing to adjust with the car level HVAC controls.

RyanS said:
Wildly variable, depending on the car, how the SCA sets it up and what the passengers complain about. Take a page from the Boy Scouts and Be Prepared for anything.
Click to expand...
How do you prepare for several days of an artificial heatwave in a sealed aluminum can?
 
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Also leaving your roomette door open and just closing the curtains helps when the roomette is a broiler! (and the shorts and t- shirt outfit is good as was said)

When its too cold the SCA will give you an extra blanket and you can also close off the overhead vents with wash rags, duct tape etc. Etc. Also having a warm sleeping outfit like lounging pants or pjs can help!

The newer rehabbed Superliner Is don't seem to have these problems as much as the older Is and the worn out IIs.
 
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In my experience, the roomettes are ridiculously warm during the winter. I really wish they'd pass out extra blankets (or remind people to put on an extra layer) instead of cranking the heat up, but I'm sure that would create some nasty, "My SCA was rude," phone calls to Amtrak. ;)
 
Amtrak's Superliner heaters are more than powerful enough to completely overwhelm your room regardless of what you're wearing (or not wearing) with or without an open door. Although Amtrak often sets the summer temperatures rather cold this is not much of an issue thanks to individual warmer settings, relatively easy blocking of the central air vent, bundling up, use of blankets, etc.
 
Just got home from a trip on the Eagle to Chicago, during this last cold snap, and temp was just fine. In fact, second blanket on top bunk was needed.
 
When it comes to the Viewliners, I've found them to be quite bipolar, depending on which section you're in. The roomette section tends to be frozen, and the bedroom section tends to be boiling (during the winter). I'll take freezing over boiling any day, so I try to avoid Viewliner bedrooms whenever possible.
 
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I would much rather have it be too cold, like it was over the summer. I just put a t-shirt on over my tank top and burrowed down into the covers. Plus, as DA mentioned, you can close the vent(s).

If it's too warm, there's really nothing I can do, other than run outside without a coat the second we hit a fresh air stop.

I think part of it might be having two people in the room too. My boyfriend is like a space heater. It's pretty warm when I'm by myself, but with him in there, it feels like it's 105 degrees, even when I leave the door open all night (we close the curtains).
 
In Superliner I Sleepers during the Winter, I was perfectly comfortable in my Roomette on the Empire Builder.

This Fall, on the Crescent, Sunset Limited, and Southwest Chief, Roomette temperatures were fine as were the temperatures in the entire Sleeping Car (i.e. Showers and Restrooms), Dining Car, and Lounge Cars. The temperature controls in the Roomette did seem to work on all 3 of the Sleepers.
 
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jimhudson said:
Also leaving your roomette door open and just closing the curtains helps when the roomette is a broiler! (and the shorts and t- shirt outfit is good as was said)

When its too cold the SCA will give you an extra blanket and you can also close off the overhead vents with wash rags, duct tape etc. Etc. Also having a warm sleeping outfit like lounging pants or pjs can help!

The newer rehabbed Superliner Is don't seem to have these problems as much as the older Is and the worn out IIs.
Click to expand...
On our last trip on the Coast Starlight, a previous occupant of our bedroom taped the un-folded safety card over the vent! All in all, I've had few issues with Roomette/Bedroom temperatures.
 
Thanks for everyone's answers. I think the Eagle and the CL are superliners? Just the same, since the throw is less than one pound I'll just strap it to the carryon, just in case. Heck, I may need it while I'm visiting my family, they aren't known for throwing money at the power company...
 
RyanS said:
GG-1 said:
OlympianHiawatha said:
I can always tell an experienced traveler has been in a Room before me when I see Duct Tape residue in the proper locations :)
Click to expand...
Aloha
But I use Gaffer tape. It does leave a residue and comes in many colors.
Click to expand...
Yep. Truly experienced travelers know not to leave a mess. Duct tape is amateur hour stuff.
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And, I believe, Duct tape is easier to find (usually in the home) & less expensive. But I agree it's better to get gaffer tape and not leave a residue.
 
I have two pencils with about two foot of duct rolled around them in the my travel kit. Last summer I didn't need them on the EB, it was quite comfortable but we were in the H room. And at my age I am always cold, so sweat pants and a long sleeved shirt are standard sleeping ware regardless of location, That and an extra blanket and I can survive just about anywhere.
 
AmtrakBlue said:
RyanS said:
GG-1 said:
OlympianHiawatha said:
I can always tell an experienced traveler has been in a Room before me when I see Duct Tape residue in the proper locations :)
Click to expand...
Aloha
But I use Gaffer tape. It does leave a residue and comes in many colors.
Click to expand...
Yep. Truly experienced travelers know not to leave a mess. Duct tape is amateur hour stuff.
Click to expand...
And, I believe, Duct tape is easier to find (usually in the home) & less expensive. But I agree it's better to get gaffer tape and not leave a residue.
Click to expand...
Enough tape for a lifetime of Amtrak trips for ten bucks:

http://www.amazon.com/ProTapes-Pro-Gaffers-Adhesive-Thickness/dp/B00J4I9GNG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416921322&sr=8-1&keywords=gaffers+tape
 
RyanS said:
AmtrakBlue said:
RyanS said:
GG-1 said:
OlympianHiawatha said:
I can always tell an experienced traveler has been in a Room before me when I see Duct Tape residue in the proper locations :)
Click to expand...
Aloha
But I use Gaffer tape. It does leave a residue and comes in many colors.
Click to expand...
Yep. Truly experienced travelers know not to leave a mess. Duct tape is amateur hour stuff.
Click to expand...
And, I believe, Duct tape is easier to find (usually in the home) & less expensive. But I agree it's better to get gaffer tape and not leave a residue.
Click to expand...
Enough tape for a lifetime of Amtrak trips for ten bucks:

http://www.amazon.com/ProTapes-Pro-Gaffers-Adhesive-Thickness/dp/B00J4I9GNG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416921322&sr=8-1&keywords=gaffers+tape
Click to expand...
But why spend $10 when I can sponge off fellow AUers. :giggle:
 
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