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    Lower priced Sleeper for single travelers

    Some couples or friends traveling together like to get their own roomettes across the hall from each other.
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    Roomette discussion

    First of all…great trip planned! As far as people lining up, it depends on which way the car is oriented so the bedrooms might be next to the dining car. Also, the dining car staff doesn’t really let people line up, they page people at their assigned time and get them seated pretty fast although...
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    Do you go out of your way to ride a particular train?

    I’ve had to get a ride from Great Falls, MT to Shelby, MT to catch the train home and it ain’t that easy up there. It would be easier to fly but I like the Empire Builder. I flew to a conference but was determined to take the train home.
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    Eureka, California to Vancouver, Washington: a roundabout journey

    I grew up in Humboldt County used to take both the Greyhound and the NWPRR as a child in the 60’s and am sorry to know ‘you can’t get there from here anymore’. At the time there were flag stops and I was so young I thought people were out there waving the train or bus down from any point they...
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    What if you have trouble sleeping on an Amtrak Train?

    I haven’t taken coach at night as I always book a room but as others have mentioned headphones and Benadryl help quite a bit. I’m always on vacation so don’t need to have a good night of rest but what I’ve found on the train is to not fight the disruptions and accept it for what it is.
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    How likely to make a Capitol Ltd/SWC connection?

    I’ve taken that route many times and never had a problem plus I figure if Amtrak issues me the ticket all the way through (meaning don’t buy it in segments-have your ticket issued as one trip from WAS-LAX) it will turn out ok because then I’m in their hands. I know things can go wrong from time...
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    blanket and pillow?

    I am usually in a roomette and I still find it helpful to take a little travel pillow and the one I’m using these days is by ‘my pillow’. Got it on amazon and it squishes into a very small space. I also always take a Rayon scarf/sarong or two for an extra cover. I bought the Amtrak kit but find...
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    Traveling from Chicago to Whitefish, coach with kids

    Being honest, for peace of mind I would get the $25 passes but I also think help from a Red Cap would work out fine because of Chicago being the originating station. It does aggravate that you have to consider that you might not be seated together! The conductors do save seats for...
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    Southwest Chief #4 Service Disruption

    I assume the railroad line that owns the rails has a protocol about checking bridges in particular. I don’t remember hearing about train trestles collapsing but a couple of freeway overpasses came down during two of the larger earthquakes over the past 50 years.
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    Would a 320lb 6ft2in tall man be comfortable in coach?

    Size wise I’d say yes. Comfortable as just about anyone else.
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    What comforts of home do you do you bring with you on your Amtrak stay?

    I always bring a little fan as sometimes it gets warm in the roomettes plus I like the white noise. I also bring a sarong or scarf for a lightweight cover for when I get the room too cold from the fan.
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    Kansas City

    The Steamboat Arabia museum is easy to get to via light rail that you catch right outside the front entrance of Union Station and is a convenient way to get around downtown.
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    Third Trip, First Overnight

    Basically the dining car employees see who enters from the sleeper car side vs. the coaches. We have endless discussions here regarding tipping and there are many different opinions on what needs to happen. Many people go with $3 $4 $5 for breakfast, lunch, dinner...some feel 15% is appropriate...
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    Service Disruption on Empire Builder

    Your credit card company may provide you with some travel insurance
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    Zephyr in Winter

    I scheduled a round trip from Davis to Galesburg on the CZ this summer. It was just for the train ride with same day turnaround as I wanted to see the scenery since I’d heard so much about the gorgeous views. I have well over 40000 miles on Amtrak so never considered that anything on this...
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    Texas Eagle - Austin to Dallas in November

    I almost always eat in my room so when I board I mention that to the room attendant and say that I prefer to tip them instead of the dining car staff. They'll usually say that's their job and likely have a menu or two handy. Be prepared with a second meal choice though because sometimes the...
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    Checked Bags

    You're right that there isn't space in the roomette for suitcases-a small bag or backpack is the way to go.The downstairs luggage rack that we're referring to is easily accessed during trips. I feel comfortable leaving my suitcase there although I do keep a little lock on mine. During station...
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    Is this terribly rude?

    I almost always eat in my room. The room attendants have a menu or two ready to give out. I've even seen some tack it up on the wall so it can be seen easily. I've heard that some attendants hide out from time to time but I haven't experienced that at all. When I'm greeted by the attendant I...
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    What to do? (19 hours in coach)

    I listen to audiobooks I've downloaded on my phone. Sometimes I'll have a book about say railroad construction or fiction that's set in the area we're passing through. I have an earbud that splits right and left into one bud and I like that better than using the regular dual type but of course...
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    Seatings on the California Zephyr

    I took the California Zephyr a couple of weeks ago and the dining car was awful imho. I eat in my room and they had whited out several items on the menu the room attendant gave me. He mentioned that they were items their kitchen doesn't like to prepare plus they won't make side salads at...
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