1) Since there is no direct train service to Las Vegas from Needles, CA, I'm going to take a bus from Needles at around 1 am. This is causing much anxiety in my husband. Is the station at Needles safe (compared to let's say, the bus depot near Union Station in DC)? Will there be alot of people around that time at the Needles' station or is there a good chance that I'll be alone?

2) I will be travelling alone. This is causing me much anxiety since I'm a short and thin woman. What can I do to be safe in my sleeper or while I shower? Should I take mace with me? Where is the attendant located in the Superliner sleeper car? Has Amtrak had incidents of sexual assault on its trains?

3) Powerwise, can Superliners handle a battery charger with the following specs:

Input: AC 120V
Output: DC 2.8V

Question #1. I am not familiar with the Needles station, or the bus schedule, so I can only speak generally. Typically if you have a Throughway bus connection the bus is waiting for you when the train arrives. You will probably step off of the train and get right on the bus.

But I don't blame you for being nervous about a 1:00am transfer in a small desert town. You should probably call Amtrak and confirm the bus connection time. Maybe someone else here knows more about this particular location.

Have you considered taking the train all the way to LA and taking the bus from there? It would make a longer trip, but I think it goes at a more reasonable hour.

Question #2. Sleeping cars are quite safe. You can lock the door to your room from the inside, and the lock is very sturdy. Drapes allow privacy.

The shower also has a lock on the door, but I would check it by giving the door a push (or a pull if it opens inward, I don't remember which way it goes) after you lock it, just to be certain it holds. If there is any problem talk to your attendant.

On a Superliner the attendant resides in room #1 at the top of the stairs near the center of the car. It is the room adjacent to the upstairs rest room. Your room will also have a call button above one seat.

I've never heard of a sexual assault on a train, but that doesn't mean it never happens. But if it has, it is probably a very rare occurance.

Question #3. The plug in the room says it is for electric shavers only, but it will easily accept any low power device like the one you describe. (When Superliners were designed shavers were about the only electric devices people carried on board, hence the wording on the outlet). Just don't plug in anything like a 500 watt hairdryer and you'll be fine.

I don't know if these outlets have very consistent power levels. You might want to take a small surge supressor if you are plugging in a computer.

If I may offer a little unsolicited advice:

1. I like to use one of those toiletry kits that hang on a coathook. They work really well in those small Superliner rest rooms (the coathook is on the door). We got ours at Target for $14.99.

2. You are required to wear shoes as you walk about the train, but you are free to kick them off in your room. I like to wear rubber soled shoes with velcro fasteners. This makes it easy to put them on and off as you desire, and comes in very handy for nighttime trips to the rest room.

3. Although your meals are included in your sleeper ticket price, it is a good idea to tip your dining car servers 15% of the value of your meal as you would in a restaurant. Tipping your car attendant $5-$10 is also a nice gesture.

4. While Amtrak is generally enjoyable, don't expect perfection. You are bound to encounter a few glitches along the way.

If you have any more questions ask away. We want you to have a good trip.

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Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy

The Del Monte Club Car

Be prepared for late trains. Amtrak is notorious for being late, but if you are prepared for it, then it should cause no problems for you.

If it were me, I would wish to route my trip to Las Vegas through San Bernardino, especially if one is using a sleeping car. At SNB, I would likely rent an automobile (Hertz and Amtrak have a marketing arrangement with autos either right at the station or at a nearby downtown location), or consider using bus service for the 160 miles to "The Meadows".

The Needles connection is one thing if you were riding coach and wanted to "hit the tables" immediately on arrival. But I don't think that is you, my dear.

Thank you all for your suggestions and advice so far! I was considering going to LA and then take the bus back to Las Vegas, but my company puts a cap on how much I can spend on transportation (I'm going to Las Vegas for a convention) and finacially I'm strapped right now (I recently had to purchase a car).

I have another question. Can I lock the sleeper doors from the outside? I would just like to drop off my bags in my sleeper and zone out for awhile at the lounge car without worrying if someone is going to rob my stuff. Also, can I sit in Coach if the lounge car is full or are the Coach cars Reserved in long distance trains?

First, each Sleeping Car has an attendant assigned to it, whom has a "sixth sense" of "who belongs". Further, the Sleeping Cars are either positioned at the head or rear of the train, and are "off limits" to passengers not holding space therein. There is no reason for "through traffic".

I've got another question. I was thinking of taking a hand held TV just in case I want to watch a show or keep up with the news at nighttime. Does anyone know how good the reception is on an Amtrack train, if any?

i usually find that I enjoy watching at night when you are in your sleeper or in a coach seat and you don't feel like socializing. I ve watched Leno and Letterman on a late running Coast Starlight through San Francisco.

I was on a train from Florida to New York on September 11th. You can imagine how valuable having a TV was that morning.