On which train(s) are you asking about?
Slept two nights on the Southwest Chief from LA to CHI and back 2 yrs ago. I had no problem. I can sleep most anyplace though. It was a lot like a lounge chair at home. Plenty comfy for me. I am in my early 50s.
You'll be fine. Even though many folks on AU will swear that a sleeper is required to travel any long distance route I can assure you most Amtrak passengers are riding coach and surviving just fine. Take some simple steps to prepare for sleeping in a seat around strangers and you'll be alright. I've taken coach many times in the past and still do whenever the sleeper rates are too high for what you get. You've posted a lot of questions on AU so I'm hoping you'll eventually come back with a detailed trip report so we can finally see how well your trip went and what you thought of it.
I'm 6' 2" and have the same problem using the legrest. To make it work I have to slouch down in the seat which then starts to work on my lower back. I roll up a towel to put between the small of my back and the chair and that does the trick.While I can understand not wanting to spend the money for a sleeping car, I would really recommend it. Figure in, your meals are included. They are usually out of my price range but I have splurged a couple of times and they are worth it.
I don't find the coach seats comfortable during the night. I must have long legs, I cannot use the leg rest. I have to just use the foot rest because there isn't any room for my feet or legs with the leg rest extended. I also find the seats not good on my back.
With two of you, at least you can lounge on each other.
For my trip coming up, I will be in coach, wishing I had a sleeper to stretch out in.
But, I take a travel pillow and use the pillow they will give me also. Also an eye mask to block the light and earplugs. The coach cars are not very dark at night. A light blanket is needed, I find the cars to get fairly chilly at night. I think I have also had to use my jacket with the blanket to keep warm.
Instead of a washcloth, I take the moist wipes to freshen up with, you don't have to worry about anything drying. I also take sanitizing wipes to wipe down the sink area, when I am preparing for sleep or getting ready in the morning.
Have a great trip!
I'm also 6'2" and find that the reason I don't like trying to sleep in coach is because the seats are NOT like a recliner. Yes, the seatbacks recline back fairly far, but what would make it easy to sleep in them would be if you had the option to raise the seat bottom at an incline just like a recliner would at home. Otherwise, I am like you, having to sort of prop myself up with my feet on the foot rest to keep from sliding down the seat. And the legrests only seem to work half the time - most of the time they are broken and seem to drop down the second I put any weight on them. The worst is trying to sleep in an aisle seat next to someone you don't know. It's a balancing act, trying to keep yourself from falling into the aisle as you fall asleep, or trying not to fall into the person next to you.I'm 6' 2" and have the same problem using the legrest. To make it work I have to slouch down in the seat which then starts to work on my lower back. I roll up a towel to put between the small of my back and the chair and that does the trick.While I can understand not wanting to spend the money for a sleeping car, I would really recommend it. Figure in, your meals are included. They are usually out of my price range but I have splurged a couple of times and they are worth it.
I don't find the coach seats comfortable during the night. I must have long legs, I cannot use the leg rest. I have to just use the foot rest because there isn't any room for my feet or legs with the leg rest extended. I also find the seats not good on my back.
With two of you, at least you can lounge on each other.
For my trip coming up, I will be in coach, wishing I had a sleeper to stretch out in.
But, I take a travel pillow and use the pillow they will give me also. Also an eye mask to block the light and earplugs. The coach cars are not very dark at night. A light blanket is needed, I find the cars to get fairly chilly at night. I think I have also had to use my jacket with the blanket to keep warm.
Instead of a washcloth, I take the moist wipes to freshen up with, you don't have to worry about anything drying. I also take sanitizing wipes to wipe down the sink area, when I am preparing for sleep or getting ready in the morning.
Have a great trip!
h34r::hi: Plenty of room at your feet for your cooler, you won't be able to get ice however for it, since the trip is two days/one night Id suggest not taking lots of food/drink that might spoil or be subject to getting warm. The downstairs luggage rack and overhead bin have plenty of storage space for your luggage, you can also check your bags, I suggest you Google up the amtrak.com site and check out the sample menus on the LD trains, the cafe and diner can be pricey for what you get, especially drinks and deserts!
We probably should have checked out the sleepette.......oh boy!
:hi: Plenty of room at your feet for your cooler, you won't be able to get ice however for it, since the trip is two days/one night Id suggest not taking lots of food/drink that might spoil or be subject to getting warm. The downstairs luggage rack and overhead bin have plenty of storage space for your luggage, you can also check your bags, I suggest you Google up the amtrak.com site and check out the sample menus on the LD trains, the cafe and diner can be pricey for what you get, especially drinks and deserts!
That being said, did you check out the price for a Roomette on the Strarlight, this is a one of a kind train with the Pacific Parlor Car, :wub: the scenery is fantastic and the price for a Roomette is for two plus includes all meals in the diner or PPC, juice/water and coffee are provided in your Sleeper by the attendant! (he works for tips, according to service you tip what you think is right!)This is a really Special trip so if you can afford it seriously consider booking a Roomette! Have fun, Im envious and Ive ridden 4 times!
You can upgrade to a roomette at anytime, so long as there is one still available. A roomette includes beds and meals for two people.
Start by calling Amtrak, or visiting an agent in your local station if that's convenient, and discuss the costs before you do anything. If you find that the costs are more than you are willing to pay you can just stick with what you have. However, once you board the train, speak with the conductor onboard the train. If there are still rooms left, he/she will upgrade you for what's called the low bucket price. Sleepera have 5 buckets or price levels. As they sell out, the prices rise higher and higher. But once the train has left the station where you boarded, the price drops back to the lowest price level.
