First time rider questions (CL and SWC)

[Rincewind]

Hello, I'm the new guy. I already posted in the guest area and decided to go with an account.

I've been three times in the US, but only to the west coast and never made a train ride in the US.

Mid of November I will spend two days in New York and will ride via DC (Capitol Limited) and Chicago (SWC) coast to coast to Los Angeles - so this is a big deal for me and I am not sure if I will ever again have this opportunity.

I'm traveling coach and booked month ago. Especially on the SWC I would really appreciate a window seat for the sight. What is the best option to get one? Are the seats assigned before boarding in Chicago or just first come, first served? Is the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago worth 20$ for the priority boarding to have better chances?

Or is it even possible to get seat assignments for the whole trip in New York?

 

[Tennessee Traveler]

Rincewind, I can answer to last question first. The Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago is only for sleeping car passengers or Business Class passengers on other regional coach trains. The $20 fee applies to a "new" Legacy Lounge in the station and is open for any passenger who will pay the $20. There is no advantage for coach passengers on the CL or SWC in using this Lounge. Others can give you a better answer to your other questions but I know that each coach on the CL and SWC will have a coach attendant who will be the person who assigns your seating location in the car. While your train is reserved coach that simply means you have a reserved seat on the train in coach. Amtrak does not assign seat numbers in advance to coach passengers. When boarding the trains talk to the coach attendant and request a window seat. Explain to the attendant your are a foreign visitor to the USA and this is a once in a lifetime trip when requesting the window seat. Hopefully, the attendant will be happy to help you out.

Hope you have a great trip.

 

[Bob Dylan]

When you are boarding @ Union Station in Washington and Chicago, use a Red Cap to take you to your Train. ( they are Amtrak employees but tips are appreciated)

This way you get there ahead of the rest of the Coach Passengers and you y can, as was said, ask the Coach Attendant for a Window Seat upstairs. (These are bi-level Trains called Superliners, the downstairs seats generally are for those needing assistance)

The best seats are in the middle of car, but not next to the Stairs which are noisy and have lights shining all night. You also don't want to be on the end of the Car next to the Doors since they open and close all night long as people come and go.

Hopefully you've read the FAQ and First Time Rider Section of this Forum, lots of great tips. Also the Trip Reports are full lots of good info.

 

[jebr]

My understanding is that coach passengers also get pre-boarding from the Legacy Lounge, which could help in getting a window seat. That being said, if the attendant is flexible you should be able to get a window seat for at least a good portion of the trip.

There is no advance seating assignment on Amtrak, so seats are assigned upon boarding each train. It is not possible to get a seating reservation for a connecting train on the earlier train.

Also note that both the Capitol Limited and the Southwest Chief have Sightseer Lounge cars, which have panoramic windows from the ceiling down to seat level. This is probably the best place to take in the scenery anyways, so I would recommend sitting in that car quite a bit (however, if it's busy you may be asked to go back to your coach seat for a bit in order to allow others to enjoy the car.)

 

[oregon pioneer]

On the long-distance trains, seat assignments are not given out prior to boarding. As you approach the train, an Amtrak employee may ask your destination, and then direct you to a specific car. They organize things so that they do not have to open every car at night-time stops. It makes it easy for the conductor to locate the passengers who will be arriving at their destination, and make sure they get off.

When you get to the car you have been directed to, an attendant or conductor will be at the door. Some attendants prefer to ask how many in your party traveling together, and then assign seats. This is a good chance to ask for a window seat. November is not tourist season, so there could be plenty of empty seats. Other attendants will just let you go upstairs (both trains are Superliners, and regular coach seating is upstairs) and choose your own seat, being sure not to sit in an area that is marked for groups.

If by chance you are unable to get a window seat right at first, you can always ask the car attendant to find you one when available. You will have the same car attendant for the whole trip. I also second the advice to spend some time in the sightseer lounge car. If the lounge is crowded upstairs, the purchase of a food item, or hot cup of tea or coffee, will buy you a seat at a table in the downstairs cafe for as long as you can make it last. ^_^ Good chance for window seats there.

I know you are going to have a fantastic trip. You've chosen two very nice routes to try. I hope you will write us a trip report and let us know how it turns out. Good luck getting lots of good, close-up views of the scenery!

 

[crabby_appleton1950]

Would there be an advantage in offering the Coach Attendant a $ tip when requesting a window seat?

 

[NW cannonball]

Would there be an advantage in offering the Coach Attendant a $ tip when requesting a window seat?

Probably not

 

[Rincewind]

First of all, thanks to everyone!

Rincewind, I can answer to last question first. The Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago is only for sleeping car passengers or Business Class passengers on other regional coach trains. The $20 fee applies to a "new" Legacy Lounge in the station and is open for any passenger who will pay the $20.

Hope you have a great trip.

I mixed the lounges. Thanks.

When you are boarding @ Union Station in Washington and Chicago, use a Red Cap to take you to your Train. ( they are Amtrak employees but tips are appreciated)

This way you get there ahead of the rest of the Coach Passengers and you y can, as was said, ask the Coach Attendant for a Window Seat upstairs. (These are bi-level Trains called Superliners, the downstairs seats generally are for those needing assistance)

The best seats are in the middle of car, but not next to the Stairs which are noisy and have lights shining all night. You also don't want to be on the end of the Car next to the Doors since they open and close all night long as people come and go.

Hopefully you've read the FAQ and First Time Rider Section of this Forum, lots of great tips. Also the Trip Reports are full lots of good info.

I read the FAQ and every available bit about train travel in the US, better be safe than sorry. I don't want to make stupid mistakes because I'm not used to special procedures. In Germany you can board a long distance train until the departure, in France they close the doors 2 or 5 minutes before departure. It is better to know this stuff in advance. I thought Red Caps are mainly for elderly or disabled people and families. Is it ok for everyone to use the service? What is a usual tip for Red Cap?

I know you are going to have a fantastic trip. You've chosen two very nice routes to try. I hope you will write us a trip report and let us know how it turns out. Good luck getting lots of good, close-up views of the scenery!

I hope so. And I will make a lot of pictures.

 

[PaulM]

My understanding is that coach passengers also get pre-boarding from the Legacy Lounge, which could help in getting a window seat. That being said, if the attendant is flexible you should be able to get a window seat for at least a good portion of the trip.

Also note that both the Capitol Limited and the Southwest Chief have Sightseer Lounge cars, which have panoramic windows from the ceiling down to seat level. This is probably the best place to take in the scenery anyways, so I would recommend sitting in that car quite a bit (however, if it's busy you may be asked to go back to your coach seat for a bit in order to allow others to enjoy the car.)

I'm sure coach passengers are included in the priority boarding. I recently asked the Amtrak employee at the new information kiosk in the Great Hall what exactly was meant by priority boarding. Specifically, I asked are the priority passengers boarded, as in be on board the train, before the hoard is released. His answer was yes. Take that as a data point.

I asked this because there is also priority boarding from the pen, i.e., BC, disabled, seniors, those with children. My wife and I are among this group; but unless you really hustle, you will be run down by the hoard that was released immediately after the so-called priority groups.

I also spend a lot of time in the sightseer lounge; and never in 100's of trips be asked to return to my sleeper accommodation. If the lounge is full and someone is taking up more than one seat, I will ask if this seat is taken. The offender invariably says no and makes it available. Being embarrassed at having been caught, they also invariable leave shortly thereafter.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Rincewind: Redcaps are Amtrak Employees and are available @ some major stations to help anyone boarding or detraining.

In Chicago they use Golf Carts to take you to the train, in Washington they walk you to the platform to board.

A tip of $3-$5 would be appropriate depending on the amount of luggage you have and if they escort you onto the train with your luggage. ( there are big luggage racks downstairs and over your seat upstairs there are open luggage racks)

 

[amtkstn]

I spend most of a daytime trip in the lounge car. That is the nice thing about the Superliner lounge is the great amount of seating. On the single level trains in the east the lounge cars the seats are booth style seating and one set is always taken by the conductor for an office.

 

[zephyr17]

In Chicago, they close the gate 5 minutes before departure, IIRC.

Also, boarding procedure does vary by station. In Chicago, Oregon Pioneer is right, you'll be directed to a car based on your destination, then choose a seat in that car. In Seattle, there is a check-in process and seats are assigned by the conductor at check in. But the predominant pattern is to be assigned a car, then pick out your own seat.

FYI, on many long distance trains, the attendants designated up to half of each coach is for "parties of 2 or more". That is usually indicated by hand-made signs. Make sure and grab your seat in the "singles" section.

 

[Rincewind]

Thank you to everyone.

Another question. Is it possible to check a bag for just one segment of the trip?

I have a big suitcase which I will check in for the complete journey and I will have a backpack just with my stuff for the trip. I want to get rid of it for the day in New York and DC. I will check in my suitcase in the morning, go sightseeing in New York the rest of the day and take the 65 train to DC overnight and go to the Mall until the Capitol Limited departs in the afternoon. I read that Amtrak offers bag storage for ticket holders for a small fee (5-6$). I would do this in New York and in DC, so two fees and in New York I have to be there before they close the baggage claim in the evening. So my idea was to check my suitcase from New York to Los Angeles and my backpack from New York to DC and get it before the departure. I would save the storage fees and have no problem with the time in New York. Is this possible?

 

[neroden]

Yes, you can check your suitcase from NY to LA and your backpack from NY to DC. And if you don't need your backpack in NY, you can certainly check it in the morning along with your suitcase, before sightseeing in NY.

One warning: You have to go to the baggage claim at DC to pick up your backpack. And if you are picking it up "late", rather than immediately after your train arrives, it will have been moved to a set of lockers, and you'll have to get the attendant to unlock them and find your bag. *This takes quite a while* and you don't want to try to do it right before you board, or you'll miss your train. So head back to DC Union at least an hour before the Capitol Limited departs to get your backpack, or get it right when you arrive in DC.

 

[Rincewind]

One warning: You have to go to the baggage claim at DC to pick up your backpack. And if you are picking it up "late", rather than immediately after your train arrives, it will have been moved to a set of lockers, and you'll have to get the attendant to unlock them and find your bag. *This takes quite a while* and you don't want to try to do it right before you board, or you'll miss your train. So head back to DC Union at least an hour before the Capitol Limited departs to get your backpack, or get it right when you arrive in DC.

Thank you, especially for the warning.

 

[Rincewind]

I'm back home and the trip was an amazing experience and everything worked out. Thanks for all your answers and help to organize it.

 

[Ronbo]

I'm back home and the trip was an amazing experience and everything worked out. Thanks for all your answers and help to organize it.

Have you or are you doing a trip report? It would be interesting to read about your experiences! Maybe some photos?

 

[PaulM]

I know this is too late for Rincewind, and I admit all my coach trips in recent years have been on corridor trains, but my advice if you want a window seat on a long trip and don't initially get one is to watch for detraining passengers. If a window seat becomes available, simply move along with your seat check. Only the most overbearing and under-worked coach attendant would even notice.