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My wife and I started traveling on the Silver Star/Meteor 13 years ago, and love the tight little roomette. It's "cozy," in the way a phone booth would be. 😆 For reference, I am 5'8" and she is 5'5". I've told friends the roomette is a "Marriage Tester:" If you can spend 24 hours in there...

Some great suggestions! My last round-trip on Silver Star (TPA - EWR, Sept '19), we brought many of the suggested snacks. Also some home-made sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs, pretzels. I bought a collapsible silicone electric water kettle (16oz, took 3 mins to boiling), which was great for making...

Don't know if everyone has seen this interesting New Yorker piece about the Moynihan Hall... You might have to be a New Yorker subscriber, but non-subscribers can usually read 3 articles for free each month. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-moynihan-train-halls-glorious-arrival...

LOL. I do remember what we paid 10 years ago- it seemed astronomical at the time (compared to plane fare), about $1150. That was for two people, round trip, and a total of two dinners, two breakfasts, and two lunches, all served by friendly attendants. And I think it included a full-size bedroom...

I remember having the steak (cooked to order) & baked potato on my first LD train trip, Silver Service sleeper TPA-WAS. That was in 2010, and it was impressive, and it's a shame they've downgraded so much. Took the same route in September '19, with no dining at all, just snacks, so we brought...

One big problem with microwave popcorn is if you cook it just right, it smells fabulous. Twenty seconds too long, and you have the foulest smell which lingers (everywhere) for hours, if not days! I, too, book a sleeper for the privacy and bed. The "free" meals were a bonus when I took my first...

The reality is that Amtrak downgraded it's entire dining experience to save money. I assume they operate passenger service at a huge loss, and are striving to cut their losses. Step one: cut the least-used (or biggest loss) routes. Step two: cut staff. Step three: reduce the expense of carrying...

This reminds me of my very first long-distance Amtrak trip 10 years ago, Tampa to New Rochelle (NY), then D.C. to Tampa. I actually drove to Tampa Union Station a week ahead of time, checked the best route & traffic issues, discussed parking with station security, and asked a few questions at...

Many interesting points in this thread. As I do not travel coach, I have no worries about the state of their rest rooms, but I would not have used them before the pandemic. My solution would be to bring lots of hand sanitizer, and use it often. This will kill most of the germs & virus on your...

At my age (65), medical condition (IBD), and temperament (psuedo elite), there's no way I would take a 24-hour train trip in Coach. On my first LD trip 10 years ago, I walked through Coach (full) and thought: "Sixty people and one (unsavory) bathroom? No way in Hades." I suppose I could save...

Absolutely. You open the valve and lay on it for a few minutes. All the air eventually comes out, you close the valve, fold it in half lengthwise and roll it up. Or you can leave the valve open as you fold and roll, and all air escapes. Considering how comfortable it is when inflated, it rolls...

Until they upgrade the mattresses, we'll continue to bring our supplemental support onboard. It makes their scant 3" thick "mattress" actually sleep-able, with fewer AM aches and pains: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SYJ2NY7 It fits perfectly on the Viewliner roomette beds.

Our first LD ride (TPA-WAS) was about 9 years ago- the dining was great. White linen, silverware, flowers, nice steak, and friendly service. I couldn't decide which dessert to have, so our server said "Have two," and brought them. Sadly, on our most recent ride (Sept. '19) we brought our own...

Recently traveled TPA <--> EWR on the Silver Star, so no "new & improved" food service yet. Actually, nothing except the Cafe Car, whose attendant made frequent announcements about openings, closings, breaks, etc etc. Moderately annoying, but necessary, I guess. I checked it out, and they did...

FWIW- i'm on the Silver Star right now, used it twice: works like a charm, and no circuits blown. Oh, and our outlets say only "120 volts," nothing about razors only. However, the train is fairly uncrowded, so probably no one but us using high-draw electrics. And one more thing (Columbo...

At 820W, that's about ⅔ that of a blow-dryer, so I'm thinking the car can handle it. Though they (currently) are really old.... Now I'm going to wince and cringe when we turn it on, LOL.

Thank you- we have a workaround. Bought a collapsible (silicone) water boiler on Amazon- so we'll have boiling water for herbal tea, soup, hot chocolate, oatmeal, etc. Only about $11, using some points & a coupon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MG89K5W/ I remember asking the porter to...

Does anyone know if hot water for tea, broth, etc is available in Viewliner sleeper cars? I know they usually have coffee, juice, and ice across from the porter's room, but wondering if boiling water is dispensed there also...

Thanks, point taken. (Actually had the same issue in my in-laws old house: no non-house-brand TP allowed, due to septic system crisis potential.) The Amtrak TP is fine for a day or two, but those mini packs of Kleenex are nice to have for sneezes. Lots of other great suggestions made-...

GOOD POINT! I forgot we did that: made sure we had plenty of $1, 5, and 10's for dining car service tips, and for our sleeping car attendant when we disembarked.