Cresent from Atlanta to NOLA

[best guest]

Hello everyone! My family is considering taking the train to New Orleans next month, from Atlanta. We will be a party of 3; me, my husband, and our 14 year old son. None of us have ever traveled via train and I'm so green I don't even know what questions to ask. I called Amtrak but the person was interested in selling me tickets more than providing information, so I'm hoping you guys can help.

1. What kind of traincars does the Crescent have? We're assuming we'll ride coach, because we won't need overnight accommodations. A huge plus would be to be able to sit "upstairs". Is that possible on the Crescent?

2. What's the deal with getting a roomette? To be able to pee in front of your whole family? :giggle: That is a strange setup, if what I'm seeing is how it really is. What are the perks to having a roomette or deluxe?

3. What are the chances of us 3 sitting together in coach?

4. Does the Crescent have wifi? The Amtrak website says no but I'm hoping that's outdated info.

Any other advice would be appreciated. My husband and I are totally stoked at the idea of going by train (we grew up hearing about the Southern Crescent), but my son is not excited.

 

[Guest]

1) Single-level cars, so no choice of upstairs or downstairs

2) A roomette comfortably seats two and wouldn't be comfortable for 3. I would suggest checking prices for Bedrooms since those comfortably accommodate three passengers in includes your own private bathroom. Keep in mind that the price for a Bedroom will include the cost of your meals in the diner (excluding tips and alcohol)

3) The ATL-NOL portion of that route is the least busy. The seating will be two on each side of the aisle and you could probably easily find two seats together and one across the aisle.

4) No wifi

 

[Railroad Bill]

Hello everyone! My family is considering taking the train to New Orleans next month, from Atlanta. We will be a party of 3; me, my husband, and our 14 year old son. None of us have ever traveled via train and I'm so green I don't even know what questions to ask. I called Amtrak but the person was interested in selling me tickets more than providing information, so I'm hoping you guys can help.

1. What kind of traincars does the Crescent have? We're assuming we'll ride coach, because we won't need overnight accommodations. A huge plus would be to be able to sit "upstairs". Is that possible on the Crescent?

2. What's the deal with getting a roomette? To be able to pee in front of your whole family? :giggle: That is a strange setup, if what I'm seeing is how it really is. What are the perks to having a roomette or deluxe?

3. What are the chances of us 3 sitting together in coach?

4. Does the Crescent have wifi? The Amtrak website says no but I'm hoping that's outdated info.

Any other advice would be appreciated. My husband and I are totally stoked at the idea of going by train (we grew up hearing about the Southern Crescent), but my son is not excited.

The Crescent uses Viewliner coaches that are only on one level, not the Superliner trains you may have seen on western and some midwestern trains. These coaches provide a nice view of the scenery but not quite as high as Superliners.

It is true that you will not need a roommette since your travels to New Orleans will be in the daylight hours. Some people riding from NY or Washington would have wanted rooms because of overnight travel. Also those who chose rooms will have all of their meals on the train included in the fare. Also some just like the privacy of having a room as opposed to riding in coach.

It is true that current Viewliner roomettes have the small bathroom facility in the room and there are some who do not like this setup. New Viewliner coaches being constructed will not have the bathroom in the room

You will have restrooms in your coach car and they are also available in the cafe car as well.

You may choose to eat in the diner for lunch and supper but you will have to pay for those meals. There is also food in the cafe lounge car. Mostly burgers, fast food type of meals and beverages.

You and your family should be able to sit together although there are only two seats in a row so one of you may sit behind or across from the other two.

I do not believe that the Crescent has WiFi as of this time? Most of the eastern trains, NE Corridors, Acela Express and many of the New England trains have it as well as the Coast Starlight in the West.

This will answer some of your questions. I am sure other members will add to this discussion. Welcome to AU Forum and hope you have a great time on the Crescent to New Orleans. We will be traveling on the Capitol Ltd and Crescent from Cleveland in April. We have ridden the Crescent in other trips and found it to be a nice train.

 

[best guest]

1) Single-level cars, so no choice of upstairs or downstairs

2) A roomette comfortably seats two and wouldn't be comfortable for 3. I would suggest checking prices for Bedrooms since those comfortably accommodate three passengers in includes your own private bathroom. Keep in mind that the price for a Bedroom will include the cost of your meals in the diner (excluding tips and alcohol)

3) The ATL-NOL portion of that route is the least busy. The seating will be two on each side of the aisle and you could probably easily find two seats together and one across the aisle.

4) No wifi

Hello everyone! My family is considering taking the train to New Orleans next month, from Atlanta. We will be a party of 3; me, my husband, and our 14 year old son. None of us have ever traveled via train and I'm so green I don't even know what questions to ask. I called Amtrak but the person was interested in selling me tickets more than providing information, so I'm hoping you guys can help.

1. What kind of traincars does the Crescent have? We're assuming we'll ride coach, because we won't need overnight accommodations. A huge plus would be to be able to sit "upstairs". Is that possible on the Crescent?

2. What's the deal with getting a roomette? To be able to pee in front of your whole family? :giggle: That is a strange setup, if what I'm seeing is how it really is. What are the perks to having a roomette or deluxe?

3. What are the chances of us 3 sitting together in coach?

4. Does the Crescent have wifi? The Amtrak website says no but I'm hoping that's outdated info.

Any other advice would be appreciated. My husband and I are totally stoked at the idea of going by train (we grew up hearing about the Southern Crescent), but my son is not excited.

The Crescent uses Viewliner coaches that are only on one level, not the Superliner trains you may have seen on western and some midwestern trains. These coaches provide a nice view of the scenery but not quite as high as Superliners.

It is true that you will not need a roommette since your travels to New Orleans will be in the daylight hours. Some people riding from NY or Washington would have wanted rooms because of overnight travel. Also those who chose rooms will have all of their meals on the train included in the fare. Also some just like the privacy of having a room as opposed to riding in coach.

It is true that current Viewliner roomettes have the small bathroom facility in the room and there are some who do not like this setup. New Viewliner coaches being constructed will not have the bathroom in the room

You will have restrooms in your coach car and they are also available in the cafe car as well.

You may choose to eat in the diner for lunch and supper but you will have to pay for those meals. There is also food in the cafe lounge car. Mostly burgers, fast food type of meals and beverages.

You and your family should be able to sit together although there are only two seats in a row so one of you may sit behind or across from the other two.

I do not believe that the Crescent has WiFi as of this time? Most of the eastern trains, NE Corridors, Acela Express and many of the New England trains have it as well as the Coast Starlight in the West.

This will answer some of your questions. I am sure other members will add to this discussion. Welcome to AU Forum and hope you have a great time on the Crescent to New Orleans. We will be traveling on the Capitol Ltd and Crescent from Cleveland in April. We have ridden the Crescent in other trips and found it to be a nice train.

Thank you both so much. If anyone is feeling chatty, can you please walk me through what should happen? So, we're dropped off at the train station by my dear sweet older son (who will be getting to use my car for the week ^_^ ). Then what for the next 12 hours?

Thanks!

 

[me_little_me]

Check THIS SITE! Look for the best days to go and return and remember THESE IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT THE CRESCENT BETWEEN ATL AND NOL:

If oyu taake a roomette (or two in your case), MEAL ARE INCLUDED in the dining car. You will get 3 meals in each direction at NO ADDITIONAL COST (except tipping) including dessert and coffee/tea/soft drink. You can check the Amtrak Menu and you will see it is usually a big bargain to take the roomettes (or a bedroom if it is cheaper than 2 roomettes.

This portion of the Crescent is one of the best deals in Amtrak.

Not only are meals included but you will have private room, free coffee and bottled water and better service. In addition, you automatically get lowest price for rail portion of the cost.

I have done it a number of times and have spent as little as $50 each way for the roomette (that price is NOT per person but PER ROOM).

Even if you opt not to do it both ways, try it at least in one direction.

Note that if you reserve a ticket and optionally the room, and the price goes down, you call and get the lower price. Keep checking the site if you pay more than the $51 low listed (for Mar 3rd). to see if price drops.

Search this site or post if you need to know where to park your car near the station in ATL. Figure on $9 a day so if you have friends who can take you or if you take MARTA, than you are better off.

UPDATE! On the 7th, ATL to NOL has $76 for a roomette but $77 for a bedroom. Great bargain. BR (which has enclosed bathroom and plenty of room for 3) is a real deal. If three people can't eat $77 worth of food in 3 meals in the diner, you shouldn't call yourselves Americans!

 

[me_little_me]

Additional info. JOIN AMTRAK's Guest rewards program - all of you but not until one joins. Join this forum and PM me and I will refer you and we both get 500 bonus points. Only one should do it. Once you join, that person should refer the other two so the referrer gets bonus points as well as the one referred.

 

[best guest]

UPDATE! On the 7th, ATL to NOL has $76 for a roomette but $77 for a bedroom. Great bargain. BR (which has enclosed bathroom and plenty of room for 3) is a real deal. If three people can't eat $77 worth of food in 3 meals in the diner, you shouldn't call yourselves Americans!

Thanks so much for all the information!

We're leaving on a Saturday and coming back on a Friday. Right now a bedroom is $194 more for those days. Too expensive for us! I know that if the cost hovers around what it would cost to fly, we'll fly, simply because of the time gained.

I can't see getting a roomette if we're won't all fit in 1; we like each other's company. And what about the people watching factor? Won't we miss out on that if we're holed up in our bedroom?

I think I had another question, but it's gone out of my head now.

 

[xyzzy]

Your trip from Atlanta to New Orleans will closely follow I-20 west to Birmingham then I-59 to Slidell, Louisiana and then I-10 into downtown New Orleans. Personally I wouldn't get a roomette or a bedroom on an all day-time trip of this length. These accommodations are rather confining during the daytime, and you'll be able to see out of only one side of the car. Odds are you'll spend some time in the diner or lounge car anyway.

No Wifi, and in a few places your cellphone signal may drop out too.

There is one tunnel in Alabama. Probably the most scenic part of the trip is the long trestle over Lake Pontchartrain shortly before arriving in New Orleans. The station there is adjacent to the Superdome.

 

[Texan Eagle]

Thanks so much for all the information!

We're leaving on a Saturday and coming back on a Friday. Right now a bedroom is $194 more for those days. Too expensive for us! I know that if the cost hovers around what it would cost to fly, we'll fly, simply because of the time gained.

It may not be worth it to upgrade to a bedroom spending $194, but keep checking. Amtrak fares go up and down, and even if you have purchased your ticket (but not printed them out at the station or ordered in mail yet) you can cancel your existing reservation at no penalty and purchase the lower fare tickets. It seems the lowest amount the bedroom sells for is $77, and if you see this fare for one of your days, it might be worth upgrading, because then you get 9 meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner for three) plus juice, coffee and bottled water included in your fare and have two "beds" at your disposal in case anyone of you feels like taking a nap during the daytime. But even if you do not upgrade, it will be very comfortable in coach too. Amtrak coach seats are nothing like the coach/economy seats in planes, in fact the legroom, recline and comfort is better then what is sold as "First Class" in domestic flights! You will enjoy the experience

 

[me_little_me]

And what about the people watching factor? Won't we miss out on that if we're holed up in our bedroom?

First, you will have the option at any time (whether in coach or in a sleeper) to go to the cafe car which sells pre-made snacks and sandwiches as well as drinks. There are tables and benches to sit on and view the world as you go by or to talk with others. You can also walk through the cars (coach passengers not allowed in sleepers but sleeper passengers can walk into coach).

Second, if you choose to dine in the diner (coach passengers must pay), you can talk to other diners. With 3 people, it is more difficult to mix with others. In the diner, they will seat you alone because the tables hold 4 and rarely, if ever, do they seat singles with groups of 3.. You might consider going separately (2 and 1) but tell the Service attendant you don't mind sitting with others. My wife and I have never had others sit with us with whom we did not have a pleasant conversation. Every single time it was nice,

You can strike up conversations with the crew. Works better in the sleepers as the attendant has less to do. I have spent time talking with the conductor and had long talks with the car attendant. Ask them about their schedule and what it is like working for Amtrak. Very interesting.

There are a few stops where you can get out and stretch your legs. Birmingham is one. Stay by the train as they leave when the train is loaded and ready to go.

 

[abcnews]

Great choice on the Crescent and New Orleans as a destination. A perfect train trip....

In fact, our entire family - all 7 of us, are doing that same trip from Northern Virginia to New Orleans - during Easter week. Like you, some of my kids are grown, but we all love traveling by rail. We try to do this about every year or so (go somewhere really nice on the train).

The Crescent has an excellent dinning car, and on some trips - depending on the crew - they can be amazing.. They will take care of your dinner reservations, and suggest to you items that they think are really good. It's the closest thing to the old Southern Crescent and the service from that era....

Also, the scenery from Atlanta down to the Bayou is fantastic - the deep south.

I would try to purchase a bedroom - because - it alone, will lower your total fare (the 3 individual tickets), and it will include 3 meals for 3 people. That alone is worth over $100. Plus you get complimentary bottled water, and your own bathroom. Even a shower... I had to purchase two Roomettes plus a bedroom to fit all 7 - but we ended up with Roomettes that are opposite each other, and just two doorways from the bedroom. One advantage - we can all use the bathroom in the bedroom, so that is a plus. But two Roomettes across from each other are hard to beat - when traveling in a group. You can look out both sides and carry on nice conversations, games, etc..

But it would be a nice trip in coach class. Not so crowded on that leg (departing Atlanta), and it is a day trip - with good scenery. Bring books and a few games, or a deck of cards... If you upgrade to sleeper, you can bring your own wine ,beer or mixed drinks... But you can also purchase those in the Diner or the lounge car.

We think arriving in New Orleans by train is the way to go... And it certainly is a perfect arrival time too, just in time to check in to your hotel, and check out Bourbon Street and some NOL music... I think they serve a light dinner on the train at around 5 PM...

 

[me_little_me]

One important fact to remember: Nobody has ever accused commercial airline travel of being "fun" these days. But many of us consider the train ride to be a highlight (if not THE highlight) of our trip.

 

[JoeBas]

I'm on #20 right now, rolling NB into GA.

While the train has no wifi, most of the route has 3G broadband access. This allows you to browse the web (and post) or stream music with a data-enabled smartphone, if you have one.

 

[Palmland]

I know the fares vary widely, but when we rode it last month from NOL to ATL, the bedroom was not much over $100 and about double the roomette fare (so you could get two roomettes for about the price of a bedroom). If that's the case for the dates you book, by all means, get the sleeper. Since a teenager likes to be independent, consider getting two roomettes, across from each other. That way you can get a good view out of both sides of the car and, more importantly, the teenager will have his own 'space' and might actually enjoy the trip. If you can grab the sleeper for a $100+, it almost pays for itself since it includes your meals. Consider the price of 3 meals for 3 people if you're in coach. More importantly, as nice as it may be to 'mingle' with coach passengers, you may find the privacy of a sleeper is well worth the cost.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Hello everyone! My family is considering taking the train to New Orleans next month, from Atlanta. We will be a party of 3; me, my husband, and our 14 year old son. None of us have ever traveled via train and I'm so green I don't even know what questions to ask. I called Amtrak but the person was interested in selling me tickets more than providing information, so I'm hoping you guys can help.

1. What kind of traincars does the Crescent have? We're assuming we'll ride coach, because we won't need overnight accommodations. A huge plus would be to be able to sit "upstairs". Is that possible on the Crescent?

A previous poster said Viewliner coaches. That is wrong because there are NO Vierliner coaches. The Crescent has Amfleet II coaches and Viewliner SLEEPERS. Double-deck Superliners cannot run into New York, so they are not used on the Crescent.

2. What's the deal with getting a roomette? To be able to pee in front of your whole family? :giggle: That is a strange setup, if what I'm seeing is how it really is. What are the perks to having a roomette or deluxe?

You have two seats facing each other, They convert to a bed at night and another bed folds down from the wall. Not recommended for 3 people. Book Bedroom if possible, or stay with Coach.

3. What are the chances of us 3 sitting together in coach?

There should be enough seats for three in one row, but the seats are arranged 2/2, so not CLOSELY together.

4. Does the Crescent have wifi? The Amtrak website says no but I'm hoping that's outdated info.

No Wi-Fi. Trust me, Amtrak have that much outdated info on their official website. They have outlets at most seat on Amfleet IIs.

Any other advice would be appreciated. My husband and I are totally stoked at the idea of going by train (we grew up hearing about the Southern Crescent), but my son is not excited.

I know how to get the boy excited! Tell him a double-headed (usual) Crescent has 8,500 horsepower!

 

[GaSteve]

Another thing to keep in mind about a bedroom or roomette during the day - you only get to see the scenery on one side of the train. In a coach you see both the side you're sitting on and out the windows on the other side.

 

[Steve4031]

All seats will have electric outlets. Your son can use his electronics all day with no chance of running out of charge. He can get up and move around. Get roomettes. Hell like having his own room. Also, one of you can switch from one room to the other so nobody is always alone or always without privacy. You can walk up and use the bathroom on a coach car if you don't want to use the one in the room. Or the one can move across the hall to the other roomette to give privacy for using the toilet. It's realy not that bad. Get an even number room and an odd number room across the hall from each other.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

pictu

All seats will have electric outlets. Your son can use his electronics all day with no chance of running out of charge. He can get up and move around. Get roomettes. Hell like having his own room. Also, one of you can switch from one room to the other so nobody is always alone or always without privacy. You can walk up and use the bathroom on a coach car if you don't want to use the one in the room. Or the one can move across the hall to the other roomette to give privacy for using the toilet. It's realy not that bad. Get an even number room and an odd number room across the hall from each other.

Please do not be stereotypical. You can never say for 100% that his son has electronics. You can aslso not confirm that the OP or his wife do not have more electronics and/or use them more often than their son. Just because he asked dosen't mean he asked for his son.

 

[best guest]

We did it! I just made reservations on the Crescent, and the game-changer was the bedroom had gone down to $103 extra this morning. We're so excited!

 

[best guest]

All seats will have electric outlets. Your son can use his electronics all day with no chance of running out of charge. He can get up and move around. Get roomettes. Hell like having his own room. Also, one of you can switch from one room to the other so nobody is always alone or always without privacy. You can walk up and use the bathroom on a coach car if you don't want to use the one in the room. Or the one can move across the hall to the other roomette to give privacy for using the toilet. It's realy not that bad. Get an even number room and an odd number room across the hall from each other.

Thanks for your reply, my son having his electrical toys is most definitely the concern! :blink: He was gifted a Kindle Fire and I thought I could tether it using my Andoid phone, but the Fire doesn't have a standard USB port. He'll have his iPhone, but I bet he'll find plenty of entertainment. He has to warm up to change, but I'm confident he'll be excited by the time the trip happens. I know my husband and I are!

 

[best guest]

Thanks everyone for your replies! Now that we've made a decision, I have questions.

1. How soon after we get on the train in Atlanta will we be offered breakfast? And also on the return from New Orleans? Can I call ahead to make a breakfast reservation, or is that not allowed?

2. Is there any "train ettiquette" I need to know, that I may not be aware of?

We did not join Amtrak rewards because I don't know if/when we will ever travel by train again. We are on a very tight budget and have been given a week at a condo in the French Quarter by a family member, or we would not be able to go at all.

Thanks to everyone who offered help earlier, I really appreciate it. :hi:

 

[Linda T]

UPDATE! On the 7th, ATL to NOL has $76 for a roomette but $77 for a bedroom. Great bargain. BR (which has enclosed bathroom and plenty of room for 3) is a real deal. If three people can't eat $77 worth of food in 3 meals in the diner, you shouldn't call yourselves Americans!

Thanks so much for all the information!

We're leaving on a Saturday and coming back on a Friday. Right now a bedroom is $194 more for those days. Too expensive for us! I know that if the cost hovers around what it would cost to fly, we'll fly, simply because of the time gained.

I can't see getting a roomette if we're won't all fit in 1; we like each other's company. And what about the people watching factor? Won't we miss out on that if we're holed up in our bedroom?

I think I had another question, but it's gone out of my head now.

Can you beat $194 for three to fly? From Atlanta to NO, correct me if I'm wrong, but you leave at 8:38 AM, and get into NO at 7:38 PM. IIRC, that means you'd get breakfast, lunch & dessert and dinner & dessert for three FREE! well, you'll need to tip, plus a private bath toilet, plus just the experience of having a sleeping car attendent. You'll also get a newspaper! The other cool thing about the meals is, since you're a family of 3, you'll probably get seated with a single person who's traveling. The experience of sharing the ride and getting to know other passengers during the trip is priceless. Bedrooms also have the advantage that if there's something to see out the left side of the train and you're on the right, you can get up and move to the aisle and look out without looking over other people.This was particularly nice when travelling from LA to SEA because the ocean was on the other side and we just stood out in the aisle and looked. :lol:

If you want an idea of the meals on the Crescent here's a link to the menues of the many trains, just click on the Crescent and a PDF of the menu and prices will come up. http://www.amtrak.co...d=1241267294103 The other nice thing about a bedroom is you can have some down-time if you just want to get away from the general public and talk amongst yourselves. There's a chair and a couch where you all can sit by the window and watch the scenery go by.

Trust me, if you go by roomette (two or less people) or bedroom (three people), you'll be spoiled for life. But there is one general rule of thumb that all of us who've travelled more than once tell newbies -- if you absolutely must be there on time, no ifs, ands or buts... Amtrak is not what you want. But if you have time to travel and may get in an hour or two late, (it may even be 30 minutes early!) and want to see scenery that's not visible by any other mode of transportation, there's nothing better than Amtrak! Even in coach you have a lot more leg-room, and that's important to me as I'm close to 6' tall. Planes cramp me. hboy:

That'll teach me not to read a thread all the way down. :lol:

 

[GaSteve]

Thanks everyone for your replies! Now that we've made a decision, I have questions.

1. How soon after we get on the train in Atlanta will we be offered breakfast? And also on the return from New Orleans? Can I call ahead to make a breakfast reservation, or is that not allowed?

2. Is there any "train ettiquette" I need to know, that I may not be aware of?

We did not join Amtrak rewards because I don't know if/when we will ever travel by train again. We are on a very tight budget and have been given a week at a condo in the French Quarter by a family member, or we would not be able to go at all.

Thanks to everyone who offered help earlier, I really appreciate it. :hi:

You should be offered breakfast soon after departure from Atlanta. Likewise New Orleans.

No, you can't call for reservations, but it wouldn't be a problem. Breakfast tends to be more casual and spread out than dinner and reservations are not taken, unlike dinner. Lunch is more casual also. You will be offered an early dinner coming into New Orleans and can have dinner prior to Atlanta arrival. Don't forget lunch both ways.

Go ahead and join Amtrak Rewards anyway. You probably get a sign-up bonus. You can never tell when you might take a trip again, if only a day trip to Birmingham and back.

BTW, do you have a plan for parking your car while you're gone?

 

[best guest]

Thanks everyone for your replies! Now that we've made a decision, I have questions.

1. How soon after we get on the train in Atlanta will we be offered breakfast? And also on the return from New Orleans? Can I call ahead to make a breakfast reservation, or is that not allowed?

2. Is there any "train ettiquette" I need to know, that I may not be aware of?

We did not join Amtrak rewards because I don't know if/when we will ever travel by train again. We are on a very tight budget and have been given a week at a condo in the French Quarter by a family member, or we would not be able to go at all.

Thanks to everyone who offered help earlier, I really appreciate it. :hi:

You should be offered breakfast soon after departure from Atlanta. Likewise New Orleans.

No, you can't call for reservations, but it wouldn't be a problem. Breakfast tends to be more casual and spread out than dinner and reservations are not taken, unlike dinner. Lunch is more casual also. You will be offered an early dinner coming into New Orleans and can have dinner prior to Atlanta arrival. Don't forget lunch both ways.

Go ahead and join Amtrak Rewards anyway. You probably get a sign-up bonus. You can never tell when you might take a trip again, if only a day trip to Birmingham and back.

BTW, do you have a plan for parking your car while you're gone?

Thanks for the reply!

My older son is going to drop us off & pick us up (and in exchange he gets to use my car for the week). We live about an hour away from Atlanta.

One of my earliest memories: as a preschooler we lived in a tiny house thisclose to some train tracks in rural GA and we would run out to see the train go by and the conductor would throw us a pack of gum.

As it turns out, I am already signed up for Amtrak rewards but forgot about it. :blush: I used to do a lot of possible travel pre-planning before I went back to work fulltime, and signed up for all kinds of rewards programs.

 

[ehbowen]

best_guest,

Even in coach I'm sure you would have had a great trip, but I think that you'll find that the bedroom makes it better!

Regarding meals...the policy is not uniform (in other words, each crew does things their own way), but in general you will find that dinner is always by reservation, lunch is sometimes by reservation, and breakfast is never by reservation but (basically) first-come first-served. The Crescent departs Atlanta at 8:38 am which is close to the end of the breakfast serving time. So, I would suggest that as soon as you board and the conductor or sleeping car attendant lifts your tickets that you tell him that you want to get breakfast, ask for directions to the diner, and head there immediately to get a table or your name on the wait list. While you are in the diner ask if lunch is to be by reservation or first-come first-served and make your plans accordingly. For dinner the dining car steward will walk through the sleepers sometime (usually) shortly after the crew finishes cleaning up from lunch to take dinner reservations. There's usually an announcement made when reservations are being taken, so make sure that at least one of your party is available in the sleeper.

Amtrak's prepaid meals for sleeper passengers include one entree--any item on the menu. You may also order an associated side dish, such as bacon or sausage with your scrambled egg breakfast or chicken breast strips to go with your lunchtime salad at no extra charge. You may order your choice of non-alcoholic beverage (soda, coffee, tea, milk) as well as dessert when it is offered (lunch and dinner). Alcoholic beverages are extra; you may pay diner and lounge-cafe tabs with cash or credit card. Even though your meal is prepaid, it is still appropriate to tip the waiter in cash as you would for the same meal in a restaurant.

Have a great trip!