Kbyrdleroydogg
Train Attendant
I just booked on the Capitol Limited and got a roomette on the 1st level, room#14. Am I bad for keeping it? Should I get a roomette on the 2nd level?
I don't think there is a bad roomette on a train!
Did you ever try to see into a lower level sleeper room from the outside?Only negative is it's not as private at station stops with the window at platform level, but I've never found that to be a major issue.
I’ve never been outside the station, but I would not say that “they just drop you off in a dark alley”! You make it sound like the train just stops at a grade crossing, opens the door and then leaves. It doesn’t sound like it stops at a station with an agent, has checked baggage service and indoor seating.
It is not what you'd expect for a major city station, for sure, but it has basic amenities. It is "akin" to an Amshack by comparison, but not really that spartan.
I might describe it as a dark, partially-covered driveway, rather than alley, but I can understand why one might call it an alley.
Awhile back, my wife and I took the Capitol Limited to Pittsburgh and then walked (c.11PM) to our hotel. No problem. No dark alley. Then we spent two terrific days in Pittsburgh, walked everywhere -- to Fort Pitt at the confluence of the rivers, to a funicular and up it, along the ridge to a restaurant with a stunning view, down the other funicular, to a Pirates game ("we" won), and to a symphony orchestra concert, before taking the CL back to DC.Are y'all thinking of the parking area, just off Liberty Ave.? Notice the y'all, not yinz. It's been over 25 years since I was a "yinzer;" Yinz is Pittsburghese for y'all. LOL
I guess it's dark(ish) in that lot but most "alleys" are like rather narrow single-lane streets. This isn't. You just walk a few steps to the parking lot entrance, cross Liberty Ave., and enter the bus station. The crossing is below and close to the RR bridge the CL uses. (From the lot) to the left is downtown proper. To the right is a gateway to the Strip District, a former farm produce hub which has found a new calling as a nightlife/restaurant/shopping area. https://www.discovertheburgh.com/strip-district-guide/
Liberty Ave. is at least 2 lanes wide right there, possibly more and with a little lighting, so I'm thinking that's not what is being called an alley.
I just booked on the Capitol Limited and got a roomette on the 1st level, room#14. Am I bad for keeping it? Should I get a roomette on the 2nd level?
#3 and #5 are Excellent, Best Roomettes upstairs IMHO!I have 3 and 5 on an upcoming trip.I prefer upper level because I don't have to use the stairs as often. Having said that, the quiet of #14 is also appealing.
Awhile back, my wife and I took the Capitol Limited to Pittsburgh and then walked (c.11PM) to our hotel. No problem. No dark alley. Then we spent two terrific days in Pittsburgh, walked everywhere -- to Fort Pitt at the confluence of the rivers, to a funicular and up it, along the ridge to a restaurant with a stunning view, down the other funicular, to a Pirates game ("we" won), and to a symphony orchestra concert, before taking the CL back to DC.
The only problem: we had to buy two extra hotel rooms, because the CL arrives at 11 and then departs c.5:30AM. But of course coach fare is much cheaper than sleeper fare.
My experience with #14 was horrible. The family room was occupied by a family with young kids (which is fine, of course) and their grandparents were in a roomette down the corridor. The problem? They all decided to travel with their doors open. The kids played and made noise, the corridor was their playground, and parents and grandparents chatted back and forth via the corridor. I asked the conductor if I could move upstairs. Fortunately a roomette was available and he moved me.
So obviously, one's experience in #14 may be good or bad -- like most things on Amtrak. It's not a slam dunk either way.
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