Okay, I know I am obsessive on everything about my trip but i have another question. Will there be sign-ups for the showers or is it first come first serve? Whats the best time for no lines?
Showers on Superliners
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ehbowen
Engineer
First come first served. Can't really tell you when the best time will be, since every group of passengers is different.
There is a changing cubicle next to the shower. Amtrak supplies towels, washcloths and (usually liquid) soap, but if you want shampoo or conditioner it is best to bring your own. Your local Target or Wal-Mart should have a selection of travel sizes available.
I haven't measured it, but I believe the downstairs shower is smaller than standard size. I didn't have any trouble using it, though, and I'm a 275 pounder. The showers in the bedroom annexes, though, were much too small for me to use comfortably.
There is a changing cubicle next to the shower. Amtrak supplies towels, washcloths and (usually liquid) soap, but if you want shampoo or conditioner it is best to bring your own. Your local Target or Wal-Mart should have a selection of travel sizes available.
I haven't measured it, but I believe the downstairs shower is smaller than standard size. I didn't have any trouble using it, though, and I'm a 275 pounder. The showers in the bedroom annexes, though, were much too small for me to use comfortably.
D.P. Roberts
Conductor
Neither my traveling companion nor I have ever seen a line for the shower, at different times of the day, on the CS or any other train. Maybe we're lucky.
Rail Freak
Engineer
I wake early & in the shower at least by 5AM. Usually the SCA has the coffee ready by the time I get dressed so, I grab a cup, head to the Sightseer Lounge to wait for the diner to open for breakfast. I feel like I'm gonna miss something!!! 
The Davy Crockett
Engineer
I find evenings to be the best time to shower. After dinner and before retiring to my room for a nightcap.
So glad someone else is asking questions, especially about the showers, which I have not started obsessing about yet. :giggle:
Thinking it might be a good idea to pack flip flops for the shower floor.
Or Lysol wipes...
back to packing, and repacking...
Thinking it might be a good idea to pack flip flops for the shower floor.
Or Lysol wipes...
back to packing, and repacking...
the_traveler
Engineer
There is no "sign-up sheet". Most time I've tried, there has been no line. The longest "line" i've seen on any train has been 1 person - and since most people only take 5 minutes of so, it's not a big wait. Or go back to your room and go back in a few minutes, and it will probably be open by the time you get there!
AudenHoggart
Service Attendant
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Since breakfast is so early and there are also early morning sights to see, I prefer to take a shower in the evening before going to sleep. I've never had a line.
VentureForth
Engineer
I have taken decent showers and not had to wait for, or had anyone waiting after me. Keep in mind that half the folks in your car have their own shower.
The Davy Crockett
Engineer
Flip flops are okay for in the shower, but don't wear them as footwear on the train. It is dangerous, especially when going between cars, and if one of the crew sees you with them on, they are likely to tell you that the are not okay to wear as shoes onboard.
I think it was rrdude who so appropriately described the sleeping cars as first-class camping. :lol:
When I use the shower I use it like a camp shower. Wet down; turn water off; soap up; water on to rinse; water off.
If the Lysol wipes make you feel better, I guess they are okay, but I've never used them and I've never caught anything from the showers, or the bathrooms for that matter. Speaking of the bathrooms, do not flush anything down the toilets except the Amtrak provided toilet paper and... well... You get the idea.
h34r:Your biggest worry should be running out of water. The last three train trips (the Empire Builder, Zephyr, and Starlight) all ran out of water. Why don't the tanks hold enough water? Of course, they did fill them at the next available place where there is water fillers, but still, annoying nonetheless. If you ever hear "air" and "gasping" sounds in the water/coming out of the showerhead, beware! That means that water is about to run out!
Bierboy
OBS Chief
Hmmm...odd...in all of our trips, we've never had that happen.
The Davy Crockett
Engineer
I've never had it happen either, but if it does, it is probably because not enough people are conserving water, and let it run the entire time, while they take a leisurely shower.
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the_traveler
Engineer
The tanks hold plenty of water, but if many people use the water, or if 3 or 4 people take 30 minute showers, of course they may run out at some point! The only way to be certain is if Amtrak hands out tokens for 3 minutes of water - and no more! I don't think you would like it if your head was full of shampoo - and your 3 minutes were up!
I'm not saying it doesn't happen (running out of water), but it's more likely you will be in a car crash on the way to the station!
Flip flops, YES.
G
Guest
Guest
Just to clarify to anyone who may be reading, showers are only available to sleeper passengers.
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Ah! We Americans are determined that never a germ shall meet!
I'd suggest also Lysolling the seats of the diner and lounge cars as well as using wipes on wrapper of the candy bar you buy and the change you get.
Don't forget that when you hand the conductor your ticket, he hands it back. And those door handles!
Cho Cho Charlie
Engineer
Like many others have stated, I too have never had to wait to use the shower. Either people don't know there is one, or figure they will shower in a "real" shower later at their destination.
Yea, I wear a pair of flip-flops, as I do in any public shower.
The showers are on the small size, and can be a bit of a challenge if you're on rough track and your car is bouncing around. Sometimes, I attempt to time my shower to be during a stop at a station.
Make sure you can figure out which stack are the new, clean, towels and which stack are the used towels. :lol:
Yea, I wear a pair of flip-flops, as I do in any public shower.
The showers are on the small size, and can be a bit of a challenge if you're on rough track and your car is bouncing around. Sometimes, I attempt to time my shower to be during a stop at a station.
Make sure you can figure out which stack are the new, clean, towels and which stack are the used towels. :lol:
Cho Cho Charlie
Engineer
If germs were the only possible stuff that could be on the floor of the shower, I might agree with you. :giggle:
That's what I do, too! Never had a line at night, but one morning I had to wait for a man in the shower for a good 20 minutes.
leemell
Conductor
As some people have already said, there is almost always enough water, I've never had it run out. As for more water, there is a limit, water is one of heaviest things you can carry. Eight pounds per gallon. It takes a surprisingly small amount to reach transportation limits. Be happy they supply showers.
leemell
Conductor
Among other things, wet public bathroom floors are the prime source of athlete's foot fungus. They are the places I've contracted it twice. Since I wear something in the gym or public showers, I have not had it (20 years now).Ah! We Americans are determined that never a germ shall meet!
I'd suggest also Lysolling the seats of the diner and lounge cars as well as using wipes on wrapper of the candy bar you buy and the change you get.
Don't forget that when you hand the conductor your ticket, he hands it back. And those door handles!
Superliner shower:
The towels and such are on a shelf to the left (out of frame). The red bag is for used towels. As you can see, there are handles (since showering at 70 mph is an adventure not to be missed). Also, I like the etching on the shower door. This is on the Empire Builder.
The towels and such are on a shelf to the left (out of frame). The red bag is for used towels. As you can see, there are handles (since showering at 70 mph is an adventure not to be missed). Also, I like the etching on the shower door.
This is on the Empire Builder.
Our procedure for germ proofing the room is simple. A bottle of 90% isopropyl alcohol, a can of Lysol that we spray liberally in the shower,on the toilet seat, the door handles, and light switches, bed bug spray (just in case) and a few bottles of hand sanitizer. BTW, I do sanitize my hands when I shake the hand of anyone I do not know.. I always say thank you but never shake the hands of the onboard crew. You don't know where those hands have been and does he wash his hands after he wipes his rear? You can really get sick from people like that. Why take the risk-sanitize and kill the germs!Ah! We Americans are determined that never a germ shall meet!
I'd suggest also Lysolling the seats of the diner and lounge cars as well as using wipes on wrapper of the candy bar you buy and the change you get.
Don't forget that when you hand the conductor your ticket, he hands it back. And those door handles!
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