Recent content by plka

Alice, you so think like I do! And I loved reading your post to my family! I will figure out some configuration that works for me, or give in and sleep in the coffin up on top. Never really sleep on the train, anyhow :)

would air mattress fit if we put the wheelchair on the top bunk?

I am a senior passenger, traveling with my daughter who uses a wheelchair. We have a downstairs accessible room. I have used an upper bunk on an upstairs sleeper, and couldn't deal with the headroom issue. Is there more room in the upper bunk in the downstairs room? and/or Is there room for...

We will be traveling from Portland to Chicago and need a motel near Union Station on the night of August 6. Preferably would like it to be within walking distance of the station...nice amenities and a fairly reasonable price...recommendations? Are there any motel/hotels that offer shuttle...

I will be traveling from Montana to Chicago via the Empire Builder, arriving in Chicago at 3:55, and my connection to the Pere Marquette leaves at 4:55. That is really a tight connection based on what I have read about late arrivals. What happens if we miss the second train?

I don't want to block the sun, just wondered if we need to wear sunscreen on the train. Thanks, though!

Anybody have any ideas about whether train windows are treated for UVB or whether you can get sunburned through them?

We are taking the California Zephyr. Somewhere I thought that I read that we have to get off the train in Denver while it is in the station, then re-board when it is ready to go on. Is that true? I am hoping to eat, and then get good seats in the sightseer lounge for the trip through the...

We are traveling on the California Zephyr on June 23-24 and am concerned about the fire raging near Fort Collins, CO. That appears to be about an hour north of Denver. Does anyone know if it is likely to impact the train route, and if so what happens? Thanks!

What happens on the train in the event of bad weather, for example, tornado weather crossing the plains?

Where are restrooms located on the train? We know that there are bathrooms near our family bedroom, but wonder where else we will find them? We will be trying to get my mom (who has trouble walking) upstairs to the sightseer lounge and dining car, but wonder if there are bathrooms upstairs...

I am wondering about the layout of the cars on the California Zephyr. We have a family bedroom on the lower level, car 531. My mother does not walk well but we are hoping to be able to help her with the stairs and allow her to go to the dining car and the sightseer lounge. Anyone know how...

As a new Amtrak traveler, I am just learning the ropes...we are booked in a sleeper car, and understand that our meals are included in the cost. Is there a cost limit per meal or per day, or are all meal choices available at no cost? Sounds like a pretty tempting menu :)

I am a first time Amtrak traveler...I will be traveling on the California Zephyr in June with my adult daughter, and my mother. Mom is legally blind, and uses a cane or walker for mobility. She can climb stairs with some assistance. Some questions: How easy are the steps to navigate getting...