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Hi again, sorry to be so verbose tonight. Are there any good pictures of the inside of the train on the web? I have the Amtrak big brochure, but I am looking for more pictures. I tried to rent as many "train" movies as there are. Double-take and Mrs. Winterbourne (very very bad choice in that one not recommended for train riders) I am trying to get "the feel" of the train. I am mostly interested on the Southwest Chief.
Also, my friend keeps telling me that I should not let my daughters roam free on the cars because "questionable" people ride the train since it is a CHEAPER mode of transportation. I have no intention of letting my children roam free on the train, but is it true about "questionable" people. Most of the people in the brochures look okay to me. Of course I know that the brochures are "staged", but I would like to know if anyone has had any problems with bad people on the train. Or if anyone knows if crimes are high on the trains.
I can't help picturing pedophiles, vagrants, and pickpockets running around on the the train lurking in every corner. I am not kidding when I say I have been told this is the case. This conversation occured AFTER I had already purchased my tickets. I would just like to be able to prepare myself and my family for what to expect.
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I wouldn't worry about "bad" people hiding in the corners of the train. There can be some "strange" characters, but nothing to be afraid of. The conductor or train crew will take care of anyone who they suspect as a problem. The crew usually discourages children running about the train, mostly because it is a hazard to the children and other passengers. You can escort them about the train as much as you want, though. Here are some virtual photos of the inside of Amtrak Superliner cars. Look under the Amtrak section, and the "Superliner Trainset" part. Pick which car you want to view. I'll see if I can find more photos for you. http://www.360360.com/trains.htmlPosts: 553 | From: Flagstaff, AZ USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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Although there is an occasional strange person on the train, I have met a lot of extremely nice people. It's the bus that I would worry a lot more about. I traveled extensively during the time one of the bus companies was having labor problems & a lot of bus people were on the train. That was an experience for sure. Want to get an idea of what I'm talking about, go & visit the nearest Greyhound bus station & take a look around. That was enough to keep me off the bus. Wow, I guess I'm a bus bigot, oh well, maybe so. Reggie
Posts: 462 | From: Bakersfield Ca., 93312 | Registered: Jul 2000
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As I recall "Ms. Scared", your upcoming trip is in Deluxe Bedrooms en suite. That should give adequate room for your herd should you (also throw in Amtrak and other passengers) not wish them running loose through the train. Also any Amtrak sleeping accomodation has doors and inside locks.
Now with respect to your comments regarding "less than wholesome types" for your fellow passengers, I really cannot comment, as any overnight trip I have ever taken on Amtrak (barring one emergency) has been aboard a sleeper. While the diner is open to everyone, the $25 per head average check and gratuity, limits the number of overnight coach passengers "trying it out" (your meals except beverage and gratuity are included in your fare). Generally, I have found that sleeping car passengers are seated together, but your party will likely have an entire table to yourselves. If you want "refreshments" alcohol or otherwise, that is what the attendant is for - to play "go fetch". Your sleeping car will have a coffee urn and juice bar right in the car - that is just a "walk down the hall".
Lastly, the sleeping cars are always at either the head or rear of the train. They are "off limits" to coach passengers, unless wanting a bona-fide "look see" that is usually escorted by the attendant. As such, you need not have contact with "the vermin", if any.
Have a good trip!
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Oh my goodness! Those pictures are just wonderful!! I waited until they loaded, at first I saw the seats in the deluxe room, and I said Wow, those are nice seats. And then I noticed that my mouse was pointing to the side, so I clicked. The pictures are panoramic!
It certainly is "compact/cute" I am glad that I looked at the pictures. This way, I won't be expecting a huge room. I didn't really expect that. In the brochure it said the bedroom was 6'6" by 7' or something like that, so I knew it would be small.
The picture also showed where the room would become "suitable" behind the chair there is a door. I assume this is what opens.
I am so excited! Thanks so much for your reassuring posts, for showing me how to edit my own messages, for showing me the pictures, for telling me that bad people most likely will take the bus. Thanks again!
P.S. I truly did try to find a "golden spike/rail" travel agent to help me, but we don't have any close to us, and the ones that I found long distance never called me back. So I did all of this by myself. My track record for planning good family vacations has been 0 and 3. This is why I am such a nut-case when it comes to this trip.
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"Ms. Scared" should be mindful that the Deluxe Bedroom showed at the site to which Mr. Demuth provided a link is of course only one-half of the accomodation purchased. The en-suite of course doubles one's space and the removal of the wall effectively more than doubles such.
As far as your concerns over not using a travel agent, don't worry; you have apparently done just fine yourself. While reputable travel agents advertise at this site (a deceased girlfriend's family booked much $$$ of travel through one whose "popup" greeted me when I logged on), they make practically nothing on booking transportation. Airlines now pay no commission whatever for booking domestic trips, and only pennies for overseas. I would guess Amtrak will soon follow suit. Since it would appear that your lodging will be with your family, there would be no opportunity for an agent to make any from that source.
Lastly, I don't know why you choose to book your trip "reverse route" rather than a circle trip. The circle trip would have you travelling through New Orleans in one direction or the other. The train, "Sunset Limited", you would have used New Orleans-LA, while slow and often delayed by the enormous volume of freight traffic moved over that route, is one of the best trains on the system. Their chefs have that "little extra touch" that somehow is passed on to the entire dining experience on that train.
However, I reiterate, have a great trip, and tell this Forum "all about it" (favorable/otherwise) when you get back.
[This message has been edited by Gilbert B Norman (edited 04-20-2002).]
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I would give one cautinon to you if traveling with small children. Mind the doors at the ends of the cars. With the pneumatic latch system used on the ends of the Amtrak cars, it is possible for a small child to push the one at the handicap level and get between the cars. With the end plates and other metal devices between cars, it can be dangerous for an unsupervised child's hands. I have seen injuries from this. Usually, though, it is the result of unsupervised children going "exploring". As far as the character of persons on the trains, since Amtrak requires ID's to purchase tickets on most long distance trains, it is actually about as safe as a plane in terms of clientele. Whiel there have been cases of Alzheimer's patients on trains with family members who wandered off the trains at the wrong stops, these are rare, and usually the Conductors and Attendants have good eyes for problems.
Posts: 7 | From: DeKalb, Illinois,USA | Registered: May 2002
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I'm planning a cross-country trip this summer to visit family in California, and I truly wish that train travel was a "cheaper mode of transportation."
It's fairly easy to fly coach from Baltimore to Santa Ana on a major airline for only about $250 to $300 round trip; it appears to be at least twice that for a coach reservation on a train and several times that if you want a room.
Instead of being a cheap mode of transportation, I'd say that train travel is fairly expensive.
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