Hi everyone! I took the below notes from my trip this summer. I'm no travel writer, but thought I'd share in case it's useful for anyone. For context - I'm a woman in my late 40s and made this trip alone. I live in NYC and had to go to Portland for work, and decided to take the train. I'd only ever been on one long-distance Amtrak before (a bedroom on Silver Star) and this was my first roomette ride.
TL;DR - I loved it and can't wait for my next trip!
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THURSDAY
I’m on board Train 49 Lake Shore Limited bound for Chicago! I’m in car 4911 Roomette 2. I’m in a Viewliner I with the toilet next to me. Kind of icky but everything looks really clean.
The Metropolitan Lounge in Moynahan was lovely. Very unexpected for being in Penn Station! I’be been through Penn hundreds (actually prob over 1000) times, mostly on NJT, a couple dozen on Amtrak. It’s one heck of an upgrade!
The roomette is taller than I thought. My carry-on hardside luggage fits perfectly in the cubby over the door. I’m going to wipe everything down now becauseI brought all these Clorox wipes. Might as well!
Don’t know which direction we’re traveling in yet. Don’t want to bother the the attendant as he’s busy. He just had to evict someone from a bedroom and give them the bad news that they’re supposed to be in a roomette. Not that the roomettes aren’t nice - just that it’s def a downgrade from a bedroom!
ok, wiped my roomette with the Clorox wipes and let’s just say I’m glad I did. It wasn’t quite as clean as I’d thought.
I want to close my roomette door but not sure if that’s rude as we haven’t left yet.
Car 4912 is a Viewliner II.
Rob Jones - SCA - seems super nice. Coming down Hall now to answer questions. An Amtrak employee waved to me as the train headed out of the station which made me .
3:52 - and we’re on our way! Roomette 2 is on the left side so I’ll have a Hudson view. I’ve taken Empire Service in business class a number of times but never managed to get the left side window seat so I’m happy.
The people next to me caught heck from Rob about coming late and not checking their baggage. Oops. Rob is putting it in the vestibule. They’ll never be late for a train again!
Rob gave my neighbors the whole spiel about where the light switches are etc. I listened in so he wouldn’t have to repeat himself. I wanted to get to the point as quickly as possible where I could close my door and truly begin my quiet vacay. Plus I admit I love that Rob surveyed my roomette and looked at me and said “you good?” I guess he thought I looked like I knew what I was doing. It felt like getting a good star on my homework.
Speaking of quiet, I’m shocked at how quiet this roomette is! No comparison to the clang-bang-squeal of the Silver Star bedroom in February. So far so good!
One annoyance though - there’s a dumb sticker on the window right in my line of sight. Amtrak didn’t put it there but I wish they’d take it away!
Temp is perfect - about 70 even though it’s 80 outside and the sun is streaming in my window.
We’re rolling faster now and there are some occasional noises from the door and upper bunk. I brought a couple of pieces of cardboard from an Amazon box that brought me trip supplies to use as shims. I stuck a folded piece in the door and it’s silent again. Perfect!
Huh! I just turned the lever and pushed it higher and now it’s silent again. The noises weren’t bad - it’s almost just a game to figure out how to stop them.
Just went through the middle of Sing Sing. It must be so hard to be incarcerated while hearing the sounds of travel. The train whistled right as we were going through. That would kill me to hear.
Pulling into Croton-Harmon. There’s a big maintenance yard here I’ve never noticed before. Looks like it’s mostly Metro North trains in it. Then again Sunnyside Yards mostly has LIRR and NJT trains in it. (My office windows look out directly onto Sunnyside Yards, just a bit before the loop, so I’m very familiar with the trains there). Nothing on my map apps to help me figure out what kind of yard that is. Will look later. (ETA: it’s an old NY Central maintenance yard!)
I brought binoculars but can’t focus on anything yet. I’m not good at using them on stable ground, so I have low hopes for my train ride! But I’ll try… (edited later to add - I don't think binoculars are worth bringing. Too hard to focus while moving).
The Hudson is agitated today. Maybe because of the big thunderstorms we had this afternoon. It’s such a beautiful mighty river. It looks so much more tame in the city than it does up here.
The facial spritz i brought is a revelation. Love it!!! Highly recommend bringing one. I brought Mario Badescu Rosewater Mist. Feels great on my face in the dry train.
Ok so my phone is tired and needs a recharge. Let’s see…I brought a two-prong extension cord with 3 grounded outlets at the end of it (don’t @ me - I’m not an electrician). Now…where is the outlet in here! Ah - finally found it. It’s to the left of the sink and was obscured by the curtain. I almost had to call for Rob, which would have obliterated my rail-cred and necessitated the return of aforementioned gold star .
Rob warned us that there’s no using the bathrooms on here while in Albany as we won’t have power as they hook up the Boston portion of the train. I went and found the bathrooms on 4912 but they were occupied so I went up to the ones past the dining car. The dining car is so nice and light-filled! Lots of folks having fun in there. I’ll enjoy it later.
Might need a restroom again before Albany. Do I dare try the one in my roomette??? I should, right? I’ll think about it…
Here’s a good time to admit that I brought a six pack and it’s half gone. This is my vacation, after all!!! It’s been a BRUTAL 2+ years, and this is my first truly relaxing trip since before the pandemic. I find myself already worrying that it’s going to fast, and I’m not even in Albany yet!!!
6:40
In Albany. It’s hot as Hades outside! I walked up and down the train but missed when they brought in the Boston cars from 449. Must have been when I was scrubbing the sticker off my window — which I successfully did!!! You’re welcome, future riders in 4911 Roomette 2.
Back to listening to my audiobook: Amtrak: America’s Railroad. Boring narrator but good info.
Just put up a "Have a nice day" sign in my newly-cleaned window. Feeling very happy to not have that sticker gunk in my way. Also feeling grateful to the people of amtraktrains.com for prepping me so well for this voyage!
FRIDAY
Fell asleep in after and barely woke up until Toledo!
Slept on the upper bunk which was roomy. It did sway a bit but not often. Availed myself of the in-loo commode in the middle of the night and have a newfound appreciation for the Viewliner I roomette now!
Gaffers tape over the vents is essential. I didn’t like it constantly blowing on me. (Update - I just now realized there’s a lever to close the vents! Even better!)
Arrived in Chicago close to schedule and had time to kill. Walked around, went to buy eye drops (my contacts kept getting dry from the airflow!), ordered a traditional Italian beef sandwich from Al’s to get delivered to me outside Union Station. It was delish! The food at the Metropolitan Lounge was just some pre-packaged snacks. Penn/Moynahan was much better.
Boarded the Empire Builder and settled into my roomette. Much less spacious than the one in the Viewliner, mostly due to lower ceiling height. I’m surprised but I miss my commode and personal in-roomette sink! I brought pre-moistened face cloths which have been lovely to use on my face, hands, neck, etc. Very refreshing.
Part of the reason I'm loving using my facial spritz is because my roomette is boiling. It’s in the 90s outside and the sun is streaming into my left-side roomette. I’ve been trying to keep the curtains closed but that defeats the purpose of taking the train!
Loved going through Wisconsin although I think the right side had better views. I kept nosily peaking through the hallway into my neighbor’s roomette.
I chose to have dinner in my roomette. I needed some solitude which is why I’m taking this trip, and just wasn’t feeling like chatting. I had the Mexican soufflé which was really yummy, and the chicken breast which was strange and yucky. Potato sticks as a topping? Nah. I didn’t finish it, but the food comes in large portions so I wasn’t hungry. I couldn’t even eat my dessert, which I saved and had as a midnight snack when I woke up in St Paul. It was the lemon cake and it was super good!
I fell asleep early and because of the heat I had to leave my roomette door open. The door between our car and the next had to stay open because it wasn’t opening and closing properly, which contributed to the heat problem as well as added lots of noise from the vestibule. Roomette 9 (mine) is the closest to that door. I admit that at this point I was feeling annoyed that Amtrak had downgraded me into this roomette from the Family Bedroom I’d booked TEN MONTHS AGO. They did refund me a few hundred bucks though so I guess I shouldn’t feel bad about the money I’ve been spending elsewhere on this trip. I brought earplugs which turned out to be ESSENTIAL. I opted not to bring a clip-on fan but that was a big mistake. A little air flow would have gone a long way to increase my comfort. Next time for sure! And I usually run cold...
(continued...)
TL;DR - I loved it and can't wait for my next trip!
---
THURSDAY
I’m on board Train 49 Lake Shore Limited bound for Chicago! I’m in car 4911 Roomette 2. I’m in a Viewliner I with the toilet next to me. Kind of icky but everything looks really clean.
The Metropolitan Lounge in Moynahan was lovely. Very unexpected for being in Penn Station! I’be been through Penn hundreds (actually prob over 1000) times, mostly on NJT, a couple dozen on Amtrak. It’s one heck of an upgrade!
The roomette is taller than I thought. My carry-on hardside luggage fits perfectly in the cubby over the door. I’m going to wipe everything down now becauseI brought all these Clorox wipes. Might as well!
Don’t know which direction we’re traveling in yet. Don’t want to bother the the attendant as he’s busy. He just had to evict someone from a bedroom and give them the bad news that they’re supposed to be in a roomette. Not that the roomettes aren’t nice - just that it’s def a downgrade from a bedroom!
ok, wiped my roomette with the Clorox wipes and let’s just say I’m glad I did. It wasn’t quite as clean as I’d thought.
I want to close my roomette door but not sure if that’s rude as we haven’t left yet.
Car 4912 is a Viewliner II.
Rob Jones - SCA - seems super nice. Coming down Hall now to answer questions. An Amtrak employee waved to me as the train headed out of the station which made me
.3:52 - and we’re on our way! Roomette 2 is on the left side so I’ll have a Hudson view. I’ve taken Empire Service in business class a number of times but never managed to get the left side window seat so I’m happy.
The people next to me caught heck from Rob about coming late and not checking their baggage. Oops. Rob is putting it in the vestibule. They’ll never be late for a train again!
Rob gave my neighbors the whole spiel about where the light switches are etc. I listened in so he wouldn’t have to repeat himself. I wanted to get to the point as quickly as possible where I could close my door and truly begin my quiet vacay. Plus I admit I love that Rob surveyed my roomette and looked at me and said “you good?” I guess he thought I looked like I knew what I was doing. It felt like getting a good star on my homework.
Speaking of quiet, I’m shocked at how quiet this roomette is! No comparison to the clang-bang-squeal of the Silver Star bedroom in February. So far so good!
One annoyance though - there’s a dumb sticker on the window right in my line of sight. Amtrak didn’t put it there but I wish they’d take it away!
Temp is perfect - about 70 even though it’s 80 outside and the sun is streaming in my window.
We’re rolling faster now and there are some occasional noises from the door and upper bunk. I brought a couple of pieces of cardboard from an Amazon box that brought me trip supplies to use as shims. I stuck a folded piece in the door and it’s silent again. Perfect!
Huh! I just turned the lever and pushed it higher and now it’s silent again. The noises weren’t bad - it’s almost just a game to figure out how to stop them.
Just went through the middle of Sing Sing. It must be so hard to be incarcerated while hearing the sounds of travel. The train whistled right as we were going through. That would kill me to hear.
Pulling into Croton-Harmon. There’s a big maintenance yard here I’ve never noticed before. Looks like it’s mostly Metro North trains in it. Then again Sunnyside Yards mostly has LIRR and NJT trains in it. (My office windows look out directly onto Sunnyside Yards, just a bit before the loop, so I’m very familiar with the trains there). Nothing on my map apps to help me figure out what kind of yard that is. Will look later. (ETA: it’s an old NY Central maintenance yard!)
I brought binoculars but can’t focus on anything yet. I’m not good at using them on stable ground, so I have low hopes for my train ride! But I’ll try… (edited later to add - I don't think binoculars are worth bringing. Too hard to focus while moving).
The Hudson is agitated today. Maybe because of the big thunderstorms we had this afternoon. It’s such a beautiful mighty river. It looks so much more tame in the city than it does up here.
The facial spritz i brought is a revelation. Love it!!! Highly recommend bringing one. I brought Mario Badescu Rosewater Mist. Feels great on my face in the dry train.
Ok so my phone is tired and needs a recharge. Let’s see…I brought a two-prong extension cord with 3 grounded outlets at the end of it (don’t @ me - I’m not an electrician). Now…where is the outlet in here! Ah - finally found it. It’s to the left of the sink and was obscured by the curtain. I almost had to call for Rob, which would have obliterated my rail-cred and necessitated the return of aforementioned gold star .
Rob warned us that there’s no using the bathrooms on here while in Albany as we won’t have power as they hook up the Boston portion of the train. I went and found the bathrooms on 4912 but they were occupied so I went up to the ones past the dining car. The dining car is so nice and light-filled! Lots of folks having fun in there. I’ll enjoy it later.
Might need a restroom again before Albany. Do I dare try the one in my roomette??? I should, right? I’ll think about it…
Here’s a good time to admit that I brought a six pack and it’s half gone. This is my vacation, after all!!! It’s been a BRUTAL 2+ years, and this is my first truly relaxing trip since before the pandemic. I find myself already worrying that it’s going to fast, and I’m not even in Albany yet!!!
6:40
In Albany. It’s hot as Hades outside! I walked up and down the train but missed when they brought in the Boston cars from 449. Must have been when I was scrubbing the sticker off my window — which I successfully did!!! You’re welcome, future riders in 4911 Roomette 2.
Back to listening to my audiobook: Amtrak: America’s Railroad. Boring narrator but good info.
Just put up a "Have a nice day" sign in my newly-cleaned window. Feeling very happy to not have that sticker gunk in my way. Also feeling grateful to the people of amtraktrains.com for prepping me so well for this voyage!
FRIDAY
Fell asleep in after and barely woke up until Toledo!
Slept on the upper bunk which was roomy. It did sway a bit but not often. Availed myself of the in-loo commode in the middle of the night and have a newfound appreciation for the Viewliner I roomette now!
Gaffers tape over the vents is essential. I didn’t like it constantly blowing on me. (Update - I just now realized there’s a lever to close the vents! Even better!)
Arrived in Chicago close to schedule and had time to kill. Walked around, went to buy eye drops (my contacts kept getting dry from the airflow!), ordered a traditional Italian beef sandwich from Al’s to get delivered to me outside Union Station. It was delish! The food at the Metropolitan Lounge was just some pre-packaged snacks. Penn/Moynahan was much better.
Boarded the Empire Builder and settled into my roomette. Much less spacious than the one in the Viewliner, mostly due to lower ceiling height. I’m surprised but I miss my commode and personal in-roomette sink! I brought pre-moistened face cloths which have been lovely to use on my face, hands, neck, etc. Very refreshing.
Part of the reason I'm loving using my facial spritz is because my roomette is boiling. It’s in the 90s outside and the sun is streaming into my left-side roomette. I’ve been trying to keep the curtains closed but that defeats the purpose of taking the train!
Loved going through Wisconsin although I think the right side had better views. I kept nosily peaking through the hallway into my neighbor’s roomette.
I chose to have dinner in my roomette. I needed some solitude which is why I’m taking this trip, and just wasn’t feeling like chatting. I had the Mexican soufflé which was really yummy, and the chicken breast which was strange and yucky. Potato sticks as a topping? Nah. I didn’t finish it, but the food comes in large portions so I wasn’t hungry. I couldn’t even eat my dessert, which I saved and had as a midnight snack when I woke up in St Paul. It was the lemon cake and it was super good!
I fell asleep early and because of the heat I had to leave my roomette door open. The door between our car and the next had to stay open because it wasn’t opening and closing properly, which contributed to the heat problem as well as added lots of noise from the vestibule. Roomette 9 (mine) is the closest to that door. I admit that at this point I was feeling annoyed that Amtrak had downgraded me into this roomette from the Family Bedroom I’d booked TEN MONTHS AGO. They did refund me a few hundred bucks though so I guess I shouldn’t feel bad about the money I’ve been spending elsewhere on this trip.
I brought earplugs which turned out to be ESSENTIAL. I opted not to bring a clip-on fan but that was a big mistake. A little air flow would have gone a long way to increase my comfort. Next time for sure! And I usually run cold...(continued...)
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but of course I got my stamp at Glacier.)
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