RAILforum: what can I expect ?

This is topic what can I expect ? in forum Amtrak at RAILforum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.railforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/11/2601.html

Posted by maryann (Member # 2585) on :

Ready to go !!

Have a reserv. on ole' 92 from West Palm Beach to Richmond, Va.

Oct. 21 - supposed to leave around noon ( only coming from MIA, usually late ) Then supposed to arrive in Richmond, VA at 8:30 next AM (Are they toooo late ), have a rental car reserved !

Should I check the baggage (2 duffles ) or keep it somewhere in the car.? Have a small room for 2 reserved - Just taking the carryons in the room, but realize that it might be too small for 2 (my sister has no problem with one). What about the upper(my spot)? I am not a contortionist - can I climb down and go potty without waking DH in lower bunk?

Seems silly to ask so many ??? but tried to go from WPB to Tucson last year and only made it as far as Jax (see old post).

We want to give Amtrak another chance, so are trying again. Hope all goes well, I DO NOT want to fly-ever.

Posted by rresor (Member # 128) on :

I do hope you have a good trip. I have to give you a few warnings, though:

1) If you're in a standard room (you didn't say), the "potty" is in the room, not in a separate enclosure, and immediately adjacent to the head of the lower berth.

2) The standard rooms are quite tight for two adults. There is barely room for one person to stand and dress with both beds down. You'll have to take turns.

3) CSX track is very rough. My mother made a trip from PHL to Delray Beach a couple of years back, and christened her sleeping car "Leaping Lena".

4) You will probably be late, hopefully not TOO late.

On the brigthter side, the Viewliners have upper berth windows, and the upper is wider and more comfortable than the lower.

Food in dining car is generally pretty good.

I do love trains, but I'm also old enough to remember how the Florida trains were pre-Amtrak (they were very, very nice). I'm at the point where if flying costs less than the train, I'll fly.

Posted by sutton (Member # 1612) on :

I don't think you'll have any problems. From what I understand, the viewliner upper berth is bigger than the superliner upper, and i had no problems in the superliner upper. Depends on your size, of course. Unless you are both big, the standard sleeper is just fine.
I'd keep my bags on the provided shelves outside the rooms. Then valuables inside.
Enjoy the trip!

Posted by amtrakfan (Member # 3114) on :

There are no shelves outside the sleeping rooms on a viewliner car. You should check your duffle bags and take just what you might need for overnight into the room with you. There is a small space overhead to the left of the sink/toilet area that can accommodate a farily large rolling bag, although you may have a hard time lifting it up there.
Enjoy your trip.

Posted by maryann (Member # 2585) on :

Well, I put everything in the 2 dufflebags today that I wanted to bring.

Then unpacked and kept out 25% - then the bags would zip ! We are going away for almost a month. So now I will check the 2 big bags and keep the 2 carryons with us.

We are both 'medium' size and can stand any lack of comfort and space for 1 night. So, I'm optomistic, Will let ya'll know.

Whew, we are so ready for cool weather and some fun. 2 hurricanes - no power for days (worse than the 'caines) - our neighborhood still a mess, golf course still closed - pool just open.

Can't wait until Thurs. at Noon - choo choo !!