Using amenities on board

[Boogs]

Although we have a roomette booked for our journeys we are aware they are quite small and may not be suitable to spend long periods in. Are we able to use all the other facilities on board during our journeys, i.e. buffet car, unoccupied seats for sightseeing etc etc.

Many thanks.

John

 

[Steve4031]

Which train are you on? Then we can give better information. In general you can go to the dining car for meals. If the train has double decked super liner equipment then yu will have a sightseer lounge car. This is a good place sit and watch scenery.

 

[Ryan]

Regardless what what train you're on, there will be a lounge type car with open seating for sightseeing and socializing.

Trains with Superliner equipment (basically everything west of Chicago and the Washington-to-Chicago Capitol Limited) have a much nicer lounge care than the east coast trains.

 

[rickycourtney]

If you are booked into a Superliner Roomette your train will also have a Sightseer Lounge car that all passengers are welcome to use. They have large picture windows with smaller windows that wrap upward into the ceiling. They have a lot of comfortable seats (some swivel around, others look like big couches) and most have table seating at one end of the car.

In my experience the Dining car isn't open for passengers outside of meal hours (you're allowed to pass through, but they discourage you from using the tables.) If you want a large table to sit at... try the lounge car.

 

[Bill Haithcoat]

Although we have a roomette booked for our journeys we are aware they are quite small and may not be suitable to spend long periods in. Are we able to use all the other facilities on board during our journeys, i.e. buffet car, unoccupied seats for sightseeing etc etc.

Many thanks.

John

If by "unoccupied seats" you just happen to mean coaches, then not a good idea .For all you know, somebody might be getting on at the next stop. You would need to track down the coach attendant and get permission. More hassle than it is worth.

 

[TimePeace]

Although we have a roomette booked for our journeys we are aware they are quite small and may not be suitable to spend long periods in. Are we able to use all the other facilities on board during our journeys, i.e. buffet car, unoccupied seats for sightseeing etc etc.

Many thanks.

John

If by "unoccupied seats" you just happen to mean coaches, then not a good idea .For all you know, somebody might be getting on at the next stop. You would need to track down the coach attendant and get permission. More hassle than it is worth.

I don't see it quite the same way. True, if you are in a sleeper you have not paid for a coach seat. However, many times I have been on a train in sleeper and stopped in a half-full coach car and sat for a while. No one has ever said one word to me about it.

I think the key, as you say Bill, is to be mindful that at station stops, people who have paid for seats are entitled to them.

I would not consider asking a coach attendant. Just be aware of how many seats there are, and how soon the next station stop is. That is my cue to get up and move to the cafe or back to my roomette.

And if an attendant notices you sitting with no destination tag above the seat, and asks you what you are doing sitting there, just smile and get up and walk away. As I said, I have never needed to do that.

On the other hand, on a crowded train, I would not try any of this.

 

[Bierboy]

....I don't see it quite the same way. True, if you are in a sleeper you have not paid for a coach seat. However, many times I have been on a train in sleeper and stopped in a half-full coach car and sat for a while. No one has ever said one word to me about it.
I think the key, as you say Bill, is to be mindful that at station stops, people who have paid for seats are entitled to them.

I would not consider asking a coach attendant. Just be aware of how many seats there are, and how soon the next station stop is. That is my cue to get up and move to the cafe or back to my roomette.

And if an attendant notices you sitting with no destination tag above the seat, and asks you what you are doing sitting there, just smile and get up and walk away. As I said, I have never needed to do that.

On the other hand, on a crowded train, I would not try any of this.

Just from the length of your post, it's evident that it's more hassle than it's worth. Why would you want to sit in coach when you have the SSL and your compartment?

 

[ehbowen]

....I don't see it quite the same way. True, if you are in a sleeper you have not paid for a coach seat. However, many times I have been on a train in sleeper and stopped in a half-full coach car and sat for a while. No one has ever said one word to me about it.
I think the key, as you say Bill, is to be mindful that at station stops, people who have paid for seats are entitled to them.

I would not consider asking a coach attendant. Just be aware of how many seats there are, and how soon the next station stop is. That is my cue to get up and move to the cafe or back to my roomette.

And if an attendant notices you sitting with no destination tag above the seat, and asks you what you are doing sitting there, just smile and get up and walk away. As I said, I have never needed to do that.

On the other hand, on a crowded train, I would not try any of this.

Just from the length of your post, it's evident that it's more hassle than it's worth. Why would you want to sit in coach when you have the SSL and your compartment?

Because the coach seats are the most comfortable on the train. Yes, the Sightseer Lounge offers a better view. Yes, your compartment offers privacy. But if you just want to kick back and relax for fifty miles or so, you still can't beat coach.

 

[TimePeace]

....I don't see it quite the same way. True, if you are in a sleeper you have not paid for a coach seat. However, many times I have been on a train in sleeper and stopped in a half-full coach car and sat for a while. No one has ever said one word to me about it.
I think the key, as you say Bill, is to be mindful that at station stops, people who have paid for seats are entitled to them.

I would not consider asking a coach attendant. Just be aware of how many seats there are, and how soon the next station stop is. That is my cue to get up and move to the cafe or back to my roomette.

And if an attendant notices you sitting with no destination tag above the seat, and asks you what you are doing sitting there, just smile and get up and walk away. As I said, I have never needed to do that.

On the other hand, on a crowded train, I would not try any of this.

Just from the length of your post, it's evident that it's more hassle than it's worth. Why would you want to sit in coach when you have the SSL and your compartment?

It's no hassle to me. And my reason is: because on a long trip,variety is nice.

I'm sorry if my post is too lengthy for you. Stop reading at any point.

 

[Bierboy]

....
Because the coach seats are the most comfortable on the train. Yes, the Sightseer Lounge offers a better view. Yes, your compartment offers privacy. But if you just want to kick back and relax for fifty miles or so, you still can't beat coach.

Well, then, we differ in our opions. I find the long bench seat in the bedrooms of sleepers to be the most comfortable. Plus, call me a snob, but I just don't like to hang out in coach...

 

[TimePeace]

....
Because the coach seats are the most comfortable on the train. Yes, the Sightseer Lounge offers a better view. Yes, your compartment offers privacy. But if you just want to kick back and relax for fifty miles or so, you still can't beat coach.

Well, then, we differ in our opions. I find the long bench seat in the bedrooms of sleepers to be the most comfortable. Plus, call me a snob, but I just don't like to hang out in coach...

Ahh. Well no worries. I guess I am comfortable in coach because I have spent a lot more time there than in sleepers... and I have never been in a bedroom (other than the ones in my house).

In any case, it's all good. Being on a train is the most important part.

Happy New Year to all!

 

[caravanman]

Hi,

You can wander throughout the train and spend as much or little time as you like in your room. The "lounge/sightseeing" car has larger windows and seats designed for viewing from the train.. sometimes it can get a little over popular as there is only such car per train. There is a snack bar with tables and also a dining car just for use while eating. You can sit in unused coach seats... just ask someone nearby if they are being used. I have ridden many thousands of Amtrak miles in both sleeper and coach.. I like coach travel as it seems a bit more "gritty" or "real"... I have chatted to Amish farmers, a cage fighter, a woman just released from prison, and many more interesting passengers in coach... give it a whirl for an hour or two!

Ed

 

[the_traveler]

....I don't see it quite the same way. True, if you are in a sleeper you have not paid for a coach seat. However, many times I have been on a train in sleeper and stopped in a half-full coach car and sat for a while. No one has ever said one word to me about it.
I think the key, as you say Bill, is to be mindful that at station stops, people who have paid for seats are entitled to them.

I would not consider asking a coach attendant. Just be aware of how many seats there are, and how soon the next station stop is. That is my cue to get up and move to the cafe or back to my roomette.

And if an attendant notices you sitting with no destination tag above the seat, and asks you what you are doing sitting there, just smile and get up and walk away. As I said, I have never needed to do that.

On the other hand, on a crowded train, I would not try any of this.

Just from the length of your post, it's evident that it's more hassle than it's worth. Why would you want to sit in coach when you have the SSL and your compartment?

Another example of why you would want to sit in a coach seat and not your room or SSL follows. (And I have done just that.)

On the Empire Builder (EB), the Portland sleeping car is the last car on the train. To get to the Dining Car for meals, you have to walk thru (besides your sleeping car) the 2 Portland coaches, the SSL and the 2 Seattle coaches. So to get to the Dining Car on time for your meal reservation time (say 6 pm), you need to leave your room early. If you get to the Dining Car early (say 5:55) or if the tables are not ready, your choices are:

1. Go 5 cars back to your room and then walk 5 cars back to the Dining Car, or
   
2. Go 3 cars back to the SSL and then walk 3 cars back to the Dining Car, or
   
3. Find an unoccupied seat in the coach right behind the Dining Car for the few minutes wait.
   

i found an unoccupied seat in that next coach!

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

I have dropped my rear end into a Coach seat from time to time, usually to get a look at something outside the window or just to get a change of pace for a few moments. A good Coach Attendant will usually know you are from the Sleepers, especially if you have passed through their car several times and like a couple other members have mentioned, if the Coach is not full they usually won't mind you dropping in for a few moments.

 

[dlagrua]

You could always take aboard some extra pillows, leave the beds down, sit up and stretch your legs out. Unfortunately the person in the top bunk gets no window to look out on the Superliner trains.

 

[tricia]

In case OP doesn't already know this: Your roomette in its daytime set-up has two seats facing each other, between which there's a small table that you can either leave folded away or choose to set up. It's suitable for playing cards--if you and your mate would enjoy that, remember to pack a deck or two of playing cards.

 

[D.P. Roberts]

....
Because the coach seats are the most comfortable on the train. Yes, the Sightseer Lounge offers a better view. Yes, your compartment offers privacy. But if you just want to kick back and relax for fifty miles or so, you still can't beat coach.

Well, then, we differ in our opions. I find the long bench seat in the bedrooms of sleepers to be the most comfortable. Plus, call me a snob, but I just don't like to hang out in coach...

You are both completely incorrect! The most comfortable seat on the train is the roomette seat! The bedroom is uncomfortable because there's no footrest. Coach is uncomfortable because there's no pillow provided, so you can't lean against the wall as comfortably. Both are uncomfortable because they don't let you lean to both sides of the seat, they're not as wide, and neither offers the ability to put your feet up on the seat across from you. For long-term, long-distance seating, nothing beats the roomette seat!

In terms of spending time in coach, one time on the CS, I was walking the length of the train during a service stop. When the whistle blew, I found myself quite far from my sleeper car, and I thought I might not be able to make it there before they closed the doors, so I decided to just board at the nearest coach car & walk through the train to the sleeper. When I got into the coach car, the car attendant asked me for my ticket, so I showed him my stub for the sleeper & explained what I was doing. He told me that you can only be in the coach car if you're in coach, & that I'd have to get out, walk down the train to the sleeper, & board there. At this point, there was no way I was going to make it, & it took a lot of arguing to not get thrown off the train!

I understand that I don't get a seat in coach, but if the alternative is to miss the train, surely I can pass through the coach car on my way to my sleeper?

 

[Ryan]

That's ridiculous, of course you can. That would have warranted a call to customer service.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

That's ridiculous, of course you can. That would have warranted a call to customer service.

Some discipline and/or retraining is certainly in order here. I have reboarded at the Coaches many times without a hitch, never even having to show my stub. The only cars you are not suppose to board, at least in a Superliner consist are the Diner or Lounge.

 

[benjibear]

A roomette with two people can get crowded so I see possibly sitting in coach for a while to get some space. I don't see why Amtrak would have a problem with that as long as you are sitting in an empty seat. If the train is less than 50% full, there should be room for this.

 

[roadman3313]

I usually receive a pillow in coach. But mainly I'm riding the CS home after work between EMY and DAV to commute if I miss the last CC. Most of the crew and conductors know me though so they usually have the pillow and seat check ready before I even board. I suppose you don't receive a pillow in the daytime but I have asked before and was brought out one.

As for boarding in coach I have never personally had an issue, even when I had a sleeper. They mainly just wanted everyone in the train so we could leave! But as we know not all TA's are the same...

 

[Boogs]

Can I first of all thank everyone for the replies, they have been very informative.

We are actually travelling from NY to NO, NO to LA and finally LA to Seattle, with roomette's on each leg. I was interested in finding out if there are any restrictions on where we can and cannot go while on board. From the replies it seems there are not, subject to availability. I think we will no doubt spend the majority of time in our roomette or the dining car but I would like to use the sightseeing lounge for a change of view or just to see both sides of the country go by.

I am assuming our roomete window will only look out onto one side of the train therefore sitting in the lounge would give us a view from both sides.

I was interested in the point about joining the train in a different coach to the sleeper at the longer stops. I had thought about getting off to stretch my legs and possibly replenish our snack supply, I will make sure I get back on at the sleeper coach just to avoid any possible confrontation with the attendant.

Many thanks

John

 

[roadman3313]

You are correct... the Roomette will have a window on the side of the train you are sitting on. Only way to see out the other side is to look through your neighbors room across the hall assuming no one is in it and the curtains are drawn. The Sightseer Lounge is open to all passenger 24/7. It is basically the common area on the train for everyone to use. That would be your best bet in getting a view outside both sides of the train. LA to Seattle your train will typically have the Pacific Parlour Car (assuming it is not out for maintenance) which is like a special Sleeper Only Sightseer Lounge with meal service. That's a really basic overview but pretty much those are the best places to get a more scenic view and they will be open for your use throughout your journey.

 

[zephyr17]

Be very careful about leaving trainside to get snacks. The train WILL leave without you. You would need to know exactly where you are going to buy them and be sure you can get back in time. You generally do not have time to explore the neighborhood looking. Most stations do not have food for sale inside, the few that do are generally limited to vending machines. Portland, OR has a newstand that you can buy munchies at. San Jose might, too, IIRC.

Do not attempt to get off on any stops other than announced "fresh air"/smoking stops. At those, feel free, but it is usually wise not to leave the platform area. At very long stops, such as Portland when on time, you can go into the station. If the train is running on time, you may have a long time at stations where there is a recovery time pad, and you can explore there a bit too. But I would not extend exploring past going into the station, as opposed to just staying trainside.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

If you go into the PDX station be sure to take your ticket stub with you. The gates are guarded and there is a chance the guard may challenge you when you try to head out to the platform, especially if the new pax have yet to board. PDX is indeed a station worth exploring; I like all the neon signage.