Hi,
I decided to change it up for my return trip home from Phoenix-Cleveland after the holidays and take Amtrak. I'm fairly well traveled for the average American(probably not so much by business traveler standards), but have never done a long distance/overnight train trip; add to this that my 4 y/o DS is obsessed with trains, and it seemed like an opportune time to try it,
I am taking the Texas Eagle from Maricopa in a roomette and getting off in St Louis to visit friends, and then will pick it back up 36 hours later, riding coach to Chicago, and transferring to Lake Shore Limited to Cleveland in another roomette. I've read some blogs, watched some vlogs and read some of these forums, but have some questions b/c I'm a planning freak!
Has anyone traveled long distance with a young child? This was the main reason I chose the roomette, to give him a place(and yes I know its small) to be a touch less cooped up. I plan to bring his tablet, some books and I am sure he will have a few small toys from Santa. Is there just one outlet in these areas?
I've heard conflicting details on the dining experience. Do they have a full sit down meal in the dining car on this train or are meals still served in your room d/t Covid? Does anyone have a current menu for these trains(or a link)? Are there kid friendly options or should I plan to bring PBJs in a lunchbox? Is there still a cafe car too? Do they serve adult drinks(for when he's sleeping, of course)?
Regarding the "smoke stops", how long are these breaks? Is there enough time to run into a store(convenience or otherwise)? Are there any nearby the stops? I'd like to get off and take a pic or something if I could but if it's only a few minutes, I won't bother.
Do any of these trains still have the sightseeing car?
I will have larger baggage stored-are these usually safe in the car or should i try to bring it into my roomette? If they are ok, will a carryon size bag be ok in there(if I store it on top bunk)? I know that I can't check it in Maricopa, but does anyone know if I would be able to check it in St Louis ahead of time for my continuing train? Will it automatically get transferred in Chicago to the LSL or do i need to transfer it?
Finally, my train from St Louis is scheduled to arrive at 8:30 into Chicago and my connecting train leaves at like, 9:10. I know that trains can run late but this stretch seems to be timely. Do I have this connection too close, and if so, does Amtrak refund the ticket, place you on next day train,put you up for the night,etc if they miss the connection?
TIA!
Stacey
I decided to change it up for my return trip home from Phoenix-Cleveland after the holidays and take Amtrak. I'm fairly well traveled for the average American(probably not so much by business traveler standards), but have never done a long distance/overnight train trip; add to this that my 4 y/o DS is obsessed with trains, and it seemed like an opportune time to try it,
I am taking the Texas Eagle from Maricopa in a roomette and getting off in St Louis to visit friends, and then will pick it back up 36 hours later, riding coach to Chicago, and transferring to Lake Shore Limited to Cleveland in another roomette. I've read some blogs, watched some vlogs and read some of these forums, but have some questions b/c I'm a planning freak!
Has anyone traveled long distance with a young child? This was the main reason I chose the roomette, to give him a place(and yes I know its small) to be a touch less cooped up. I plan to bring his tablet, some books and I am sure he will have a few small toys from Santa. Is there just one outlet in these areas?
I've heard conflicting details on the dining experience. Do they have a full sit down meal in the dining car on this train or are meals still served in your room d/t Covid? Does anyone have a current menu for these trains(or a link)? Are there kid friendly options or should I plan to bring PBJs in a lunchbox? Is there still a cafe car too? Do they serve adult drinks(for when he's sleeping, of course)?
Regarding the "smoke stops", how long are these breaks? Is there enough time to run into a store(convenience or otherwise)? Are there any nearby the stops? I'd like to get off and take a pic or something if I could but if it's only a few minutes, I won't bother.
Do any of these trains still have the sightseeing car?
I will have larger baggage stored-are these usually safe in the car or should i try to bring it into my roomette? If they are ok, will a carryon size bag be ok in there(if I store it on top bunk)? I know that I can't check it in Maricopa, but does anyone know if I would be able to check it in St Louis ahead of time for my continuing train? Will it automatically get transferred in Chicago to the LSL or do i need to transfer it?
Finally, my train from St Louis is scheduled to arrive at 8:30 into Chicago and my connecting train leaves at like, 9:10. I know that trains can run late but this stretch seems to be timely. Do I have this connection too close, and if so, does Amtrak refund the ticket, place you on next day train,put you up for the night,etc if they miss the connection?
TIA!
Stacey