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We are going out on the SWC , and then all the way up the Coast Starlight soon. My children, ages 7 & 9 will be going too. They've not been on another train outside one of the historic Colorado trains a couple of years ago. The 7 year old boy is especially keen on how things work and cool trivia. Other than the obvious (mom sez "see the engines, count the cars" ) are there any other nifty things I should point out? We will be in a sleeping car most of the time; are the attendants usually pretty tolerant of kid's questions (assuming we don't unduly distract them from their duties)? Thanks in advance....
Posts: 72 | From: USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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Board games and card games: for using in the lounge or your room. They'll meet more kids in the lounge.
Maps: so they can track the path of the train. Also can record the number of states they have been in if they like to get off - even for a moment or two - at each stop. (Do stay by the train though, so you don't get left behind).
Stopwatch: so they can look out the window and estimate the speed by clocking time between mileposts; estimate arrival times. Since your son likes cool trivia he might enjoy tracking the spreeds on graph paper; or tracking the different railroad logos/acronyms and types of locomotives and car he sees. My six year old and I like to watch fopr critters - eagles in Iowa, deer and antelope and elk across the west; foxes and coyotes in certain araes, too.
Give each one a small canera: so they can take their own photos at stops and can make a scrapbook of the trip.
Scanner: so they can listen to the train crew. I don't have one or know exactly how that works but I know others on the board do and trust y'all will chime in here with the $$ and hows and frequencies, etc.
There's a few ideas. Hope they are useful.
Posts: 300 | From: Denver, CO USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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If you are somewhat knowledgeable about train operations you may wish to sit in the dome obesevation car, especially after leaving ALB until it gets too dark. This is the busiest stretch of railroad in the USA.
About 25 miles beyond ALB there is double track all the way to San Bernardino and it is all CENTRALIZED TRAFFIC CONTROL which is controlled by dispatchers in Ft. Worth, TX Trains will be switching from one track to the other frequently, and passing each other on the parallel tracks at high speed. With a scanner radio and the appropriate frequencies you can hear the engineer talking with the dispatcher, with other trains and occasionally with other employees. To see and hear how 80 to 100 trains per day move across this line and to see how the engine of the AMTRAK SWC is switching to another track to pass or clear another train should fascinate your son, especially if he is hearing the chatter on a scanner. Also, you will be able to see the signal indications from the obs. car and determine which of them indicate your train is about to change track. This line has been named the TRANSCON because it is the most expeditious route from CHI to LAX for freight trains and you will appreciate it as you observe.
Posts: 467 | From: Prescott, AZ USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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You can buy good quality scaners at Radio Shack for about $150 (on sale) to about $200. They'll run a couple of days in moderate to heavy use on one set of batteries. I suggest an optional a/c adaptor and rechargable NiMh batteries. Mine will recharge them right in the radio.
If you do get a scanner, get it well before the trip so you'll have time to learn how to use it. It has to be programmed by the user, and there is a bit of a learning curve.
------------------ Sing to the tune of Humoresque: Passengers will please refrain, From flushing toilets while the train, Is standing in the station, I love you.
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A 7&9 year old might not be as intereasted in scanning or looking at scenic views than just playing around. I reccomend the kiddy car its in the bottom of one of the coaches. ALSO if you are in a sleeper the parlour car has games as IRA said...and they will meet other kids in the kiddy car too.
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maybe have the kids do a little easy reading from a kid's encyclopedia about the various states they'll be traveling through. Whether attendants will be a)friendly or b)to be seen will depend on luck. Some I've met just love to chat. Others vanish after boarding and will show up again when it's time to tip (at which point you do not). Good luck!
Posts: 171 | Registered: May 2002
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