422 Texas Eagle

Elisha: if you are booked in the #422 Sleeper from LAX to Chicago it will be switched ( along with a Coach)in San Antonio to the #22 Texas Eagle and you won't have to get off the train at all!( #22 Leaves @ 700am for CHI)

If you book #2/#22 you will have to get off the train upon arrival into SAS and wait in the less than pleasant Station so be sure you're booked on the #422 Sleeper. ( it usually costs more but is worth it!)

You'll be perfectly safe, you have am attendant in your Car in Room #1 ( they change out in San Antinio) and 2 Conductors also are on the train 24/7 even though they change out along with the Engineer every so often along the way @ Crew change stops!

Both Chicago and Los Angeles have Metropolitan Lounges (open to sleeper and business class passengers). Feel free to stop into either or both lounges, maybe drop off your bags temporarily if you'd like to wander around the station unencumbered, or just rest/wait for a while. Typically, you'll find soft drinks, some sort of snacks, and newspapers available free of charge.

Both lounges pre-board the Sleepers before the coach passenger boarding is announced.

So from what I have been reading, Amtrak sells only Pepsi on board the train. Does this mean that the train stations along the way only sell Pepsi or are there soda machines from which I can snag a Diet Coke from? Would I have time at the longer stops to find a soda machine and get a Diet Coke? Would I be better off taking a six pack of Diet Coke with me?

Elishia said:

So from what I have been reading, Amtrak sells only Pepsi on board the train. Does this mean that the train stations along the way only sell Pepsi or are there soda machines from which I can snag a Diet Coke from? Would I have time at the longer stops to find a soda machine and get a Diet Coke? Would I be better off taking a six pack of Diet Coke with me?

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Some non Amtrak controlled Trains (ie the Downeaster and other State controlled Trains))and non- Amtrak owned Stations sell Coke products, but you'd be well advised to take your own drinks and snacks due to the high prices and poor selections in the Amtrak cafes.

Most stops aren't long enough to go into the Station or a store, so stock up before you catch your train,!

At the longer stops there is usually a vending machine with Coke products. You will have a great journey. Time slows down, you see incredible scenery and get to meet some nice people.

As far as sleeping on the upper level of a Superliner, there is very little space and no window. I find it very claustrophobic and the only time I will sleep in the upper bunk is when my better half is with me. Last June I had vertigo when I tried to sleep up there and quickly moved to the lower bunk. There is a window and more space on the Viewliner.

I've been on many trips in sleepers and it's always great. It's not just a way to get there. It's a vacation unto itself.

You'd be much better bringing your own with. Most station stops aren't long enough to grab one. Some refueling stops might be, but there aren't many of those and they don't want people leaving trainside.

benale said:

At the longer stops there is usually a vending machine with Coke products.

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This is incorrect. On the route you'll be traveling there will be few if any available Coke machines within a reasonable distance of the train. Risking being left behind over a can of Diet Coke is silly. If you are particular about what you drink then bring it with you.

I always carry items I might want during my trip, many times picking up them up at a convenience store near the station before I board. If you know the items you prefer don't depend to find them on board. Bringing a couple medium bottles of Diet Coke plus some snacks in a double bagged plastic grocery sack is easy to tie onto your bag or over your wrist for boarding. Like I said this is SOP for me..

IIRC the kiosk in LAUS sells coke products. If not, there are a few convenience stores around LAUS, which do.

I have another question about my upcoming journey. I have printed out the route guide for the trip and I am trying to figure out if I will have to leave my room to see the sight on the other side of the train. My room is in car 2230 room 002. I am curious how I can tell which side of the train my room is going to be on.

Elishia,

Unfortunately you won't know ahead of time which side of the train your room is on because it depends on which direction they've hooked the train car up. And yes you do have to go look out the window near the center of the car if the room across the aisle is occupied. If it's empty you can see out though.

I want to mention one thing about the kindle. When I travel I've found that I don't like to read so I download audio books to my kindle and go with that so I don't miss the scenery. I use an earplug that is for one ear only instead of regular earbuds so I can still hear announcements etc.

I'm a woman who always travels alone and I've never felt threatened in any way. I do prefer to eat in my room though so I ask the attendant to bring my meals to me.

Your Roomette on the Eagle is across from the SCA's room, #1 which is always kept closed since the SCA stores supplies for the car as well as lives in the room during his tour of duty!

Your best bet is to go to the Sightseer Lounge which gives you panoramic views out both sides of the train,!

Shelzp and Bob,

Thanks for the info about the train. I guess one advantage to riding in coach would be choosing which side of the train to sit on.

Bob, you mention that I will across the SCA's room. I am feeling a little lost with the abbreviations you guys use. Does this mean that there will be a lot of noise outside of the roomette? I found a diagram of the superliner train car and I see that I am near the toilet and stairs. I am concerned that with the supply room, stairs and toilet so close that there will be a lot of noise from foot traffic. Does anyone have any experience occupying this roomette location?

Thank you again for all of the information everyone has provided.

The train attendant usually assigns you a seat in coach.

The attendants try to put people going to the same destination together. It makes it easier for them to make sure people get off the train when they are supposed to.

But that doesn't mean you can't slip into an unoccupied coach seat on the other side of the car to watch out the other side for a bit.

One of the places I like to watch scenery from is the 'rail fan' window in the door at the end of the train.

If the train has a coach car at the end of the train anyone can stand there and watch/photograph the view out the back of the train.

If a sleeper car is at the end of the train only sleeper passengers can watch the view out the back of the train since coach passengers aren't granted access to the sleeper cars.

Elishia said:

Shelzp and Bob,

Thanks for the info about the train. I guess one advantage to riding in coach would be choosing which side of the train to sit on.

Bob, you mention that I will across the SCA's room. I am feeling a little lost with the abbreviations you guys use. Does this mean that there will be a lot of noise outside of the roomette? I found a diagram of the superliner train car and I see that I am near the toilet and stairs. I am concerned that with the supply room, stairs and toilet so close that there will be a lot of noise from foot traffic. Does anyone have any experience occupying this roomette location?

Thank you again for all of the information everyone has provided.

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SCA - sleeping car attendant. S/he occupies Room #1 though is usually too busy all day and evening to be in there except to sleep.

I can't speak about the foot traffic as I have not been in Room #2 myself, plus I'm hard of hearing so I don't hear as well as most - and hear practically nothing at night when I take my hearing aids out to go to bed.

Elisha: Actually Room #2 is considered a "good" room since its in the middle of the car for a smoother ride, close to the coffee and stairs and the one upstairs restroom and your attendant ( SCA)is right across the hall!.

Also there is only one room next to yours, so it should be a little quiter ( in theory!).

Thanks AmtrakBlue for defining SCA for me.

My grandparents had always used a bedroom when they traveled so they could not tell me much about what the roomettes were like. I am glad to know room #2 is a choice room. The grandparents said that the train ride is smooth for the most part. There were times when the train would start moving and they didn't realize it unless they were looking out the window or went across a crossing.

My granddad said that since the trains are getting older they may be getting a little worn out so the ride might not be the same as they remembered it. My grandmother said that in the bedrooms there is a toilet and shower. They never used the shower and would use the shower downstairs. Grandmother said you haven't experienced train travel until you take a shower in a moving train.

I am looking forward to my trip in June. Thank you everyone for indulging me and answering my questions.

About taking a shower on the train, or using a sink.

The drain in the showers/sinks don't go to a holding tank.

The showers and sinks drains right out the bottom of the car onto the train tracks.

Back not to long ago passenger train toilets also emptied onto the tracks, but now empty into holding tanks, at least on Amtrak LD trains.

SCA is commonly used. The Amtrak designation used in the Service Standards manual is Train Attendant- Sleeper Car (TASC).

Engineer

Conductor

Lead Service Attendant - Diner (LSA - Diner)

Lead Service Attendant - Café/Lounge (LSA - Café/Lounge)

Lead Service Attendant - Cart Service (LSA - Cart)

Chef

Food Specialist

Service Attendant (SA)

Train Attendant - Coach (TAC)

Train Attendant - Sleeper Car (TASC)

KmH,

You mention that the waste water from sinks and showers drain directly on the tracks. I read somewhere online that the best time to take a shower on board the train is at one of the longer stops. Would this be allowed with the waste water draining on the track at the station?

Elishia said:

KmH,

You mention that the waste water from sinks and showers drain directly on the tracks. I read somewhere online that the best time to take a shower on board the train is at one of the longer stops. Would this be allowed with the waste water draining on the track at the station?

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When water is being drained, you can actually see it trickling out from beneath the car just next to the door.

I have seen the shower draining many times at longer stops. Besides this is when many prefer to shower, since the train may not hit a hard bump while not moving.

Aloha

the_traveler said:

I have seen the shower draining many times at longer stops. Besides this is when many prefer to shower, since the train may not hit a hard bump while not moving.

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I would hope it doesn't hit a hard bump while not moving

I have another question for you fine folks.

I am going to arrive at Union Station around noon on Sunday in June. Can anyone suggest things to do while I am waiting for the train to leave? Is the area around Union Station safe enough to walk around the area?

Thank you again in advance for your help.

Elishia

Which Union Station, CHI, LAX?