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I decided it was time to start putting my reservations in place for the big trip I am planning for July of 2009. I planned to use AGR, but out of curiosity I tried to make a reservation for my preferred departure date, July 20. The Amtrak website told me that bedrooms and family rooms were sold out. I then called Amtrak and was told one lower level roomette was the only accommodation available on that date.
I revised my plans a little & asked about a July 21 departure. She told me many roomettes were available & I was able to book roomette #4 in the 0531 car, Chicago to Sacramento (continuing on the Coast Starlight to Eugene, OR).
When I commented on the sold-out status, she said they have been extremely busy & many people have discovered the train.
So if you're planning a trip next summer, you might want to start firming up those plans now. I have to spend a little time this weekend figuring out how many days I'll be in the Northwest before returning home on the Empire Builder.
-------------------- My new "default" station (EKH) has no baggage service or QuikTrak machine, but the parking is free! And the NY Central RR Museum is just across the tracks (but not open at Amtrak train times. . ..) Posts: 337 | From: Goshen, IN | Registered: Jun 2006
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I wonder if there is a tour group or something else going on that day? Amtrak sleepers sell out in advance during the summer peak periods (which that date is), but to have it sold out THIS far in advance is a bit odd, I think.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Nothing wrong with a roomette, if it's just for yourself. It's actually been my preferred way to travel as of late.
Even though it books up very early, I never liked the family room. Maybe because it was always jammed with my family
And you may want to keep checking on the bedroom status. Always seems at least one traveler changes their plans and a bedroom may become available.
-------------------- Matt Visit gallery for photos of our train layouts Posts: 579 | From: San Bernardino Subdivison | Registered: Dec 2001
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Of interest, my friends just took the Zephyr from CHI to EMY. They were booked in a roomette but inquired upon boarding about a bedroom or an additional roomette. Both were available, the roomette for $250, the bedroom for $50! Needless to say they took the bedroom. This was last weekend.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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Actually, Southwest Chief, I was looking for a roomette, but I didn't want one on the lower level so I opted to change the day.
I suspect there is some sort of group traveling that day - maybe not the entire route, but enough to block my need for a thru passage. The preferred travel day was picked to come after a hybrid car event in Madison, WI and before the wildflowers die at Mt Rainier.
I expect next spring I'll be looking for suggestions on spending that layover in Sacramento.
-------------------- My new "default" station (EKH) has no baggage service or QuikTrak machine, but the parking is free! And the NY Central RR Museum is just across the tracks (but not open at Amtrak train times. . ..) Posts: 337 | From: Goshen, IN | Registered: Jun 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Judy McFarland: Actually, Southwest Chief, I was looking for a roomette, but I didn't want one on the lower level so I opted to change the day.
I hear ya on not wanting the lower level. My dad prefers it, says it's quieter down there. Like you, I prefer the upstairs. Better view, and you seem to get better and or quicker service.
-------------------- Matt Visit gallery for photos of our train layouts Posts: 579 | From: San Bernardino Subdivison | Registered: Dec 2001
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I,too, prefer he upstairs. I think it is warmer and also I don't feel the rails as much. It does seem darker there to me. I am told that tour companies do plan at least a year ahead so it probably is why the CZ is sold out.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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With only four Roomettes 11-14 and the Family Room, there is less foot traffic. Also, if you want to see if the shower is open, all you need do is take a peek down the hall.
The ride is smoother as well.
Regarding sightseeing, I'll defer to others; but then, I think regulars here know my characterization of the scenery visible from my usual Amtrak journey - Auto-Train. Although this linked YouTube video features a Viewliner Roomette, "the scenery's the same, regardless of train":
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I agree there is less foot traffic down below, but zooming by vegetation at close range made me dizzy (and I have never been carsick). Also my one trip on the bottom featured a wheel with a flat spot (I think) almost right under my head. The noise was really obnoxious! So I'm back on top. Now that the knees have been replaced, the stairs are no longer a problem.
-------------------- My new "default" station (EKH) has no baggage service or QuikTrak machine, but the parking is free! And the NY Central RR Museum is just across the tracks (but not open at Amtrak train times. . ..) Posts: 337 | From: Goshen, IN | Registered: Jun 2006
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I tried the downstairs last month on the detour of the Zephyr through the Feather River Canyon. I rode from Emeryville to Denver. I did not care for the lower level sleeper at all. Not only was the view worse, but I found it to be much noisier and bumpy than upstairs. Every rock and piece of debris that the wheels kicked up seem to hit with a "thud" on the floor of my room. I could also hear every squeak of the wheel. Up top, you don't get that type of noise, and the swaying back and forth seems to be more gentle than the harsh back and forth down below. I know that lots of people love the lower level, but personally, I would rather be upstairs. As far as foot traffic goes, it is definitely quieter than upstairs though.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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I'm with GBN on the lower-level roomettes -- I've always slept better there, thanks to the lessened sway. Also, if the roomette is on the right side of the train, you can get out at longer station stops with a bottle of Windex and some paper towels and clean the window for better photography.
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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Just like the coach vs sleeper debate, this upper vs lower thing ultimately is a matter of opinion. As they say, "I likes what I likes", and it's my AGR points. (I'm also one of those people who prefers going to movies with no one else in the theater and my daughter used to play the bagpipe - to resurrect another old topic!)
-------------------- My new "default" station (EKH) has no baggage service or QuikTrak machine, but the parking is free! And the NY Central RR Museum is just across the tracks (but not open at Amtrak train times. . ..) Posts: 337 | From: Goshen, IN | Registered: Jun 2006
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Ms McFarland, if I might ask, where you gonna go on your big trip in the summer of '09?
Mrs. K. and I were planning a big trip to Alaska next May, complete with Inner Passage cruise and the choo-choo to Denali, but the wobblies on Wall Street have us rethinking that idea. Discretionary income for retirees may be scarce come next year.
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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The planned trip will be Milwaukee - Chicago - Sacramento - Eugene OR. (courtesy of AGR). Pick up a rental car & spend a couple days on the Oregon Coast (we lived in Eugene 1968-1970 & loved it there), then on to Mt Rainier to spend 4 nights at the newly remodeled Paradise Inn. Return from Portland to Milwaukee on the Empire Builder, again courtesy of AGR.
As a retired person nervously eyeing her investment account & her IRA, I have actually scaled back this trip a little (the original plan included a stay at Crater Lake). I also discovered that if I bring the rental car back to Eugene instead of leaving it in Portland, the car cost is reduced by HALF (and AGR will pick up the Eugene-Portland part of the trip home).
The really big expense will be the stay at Mt Rainier - I plan to make the reservations on December 2, the first day allowed, and to try to limit the number of meals I eat in the Paradise Inn dining room by bringing along some granola bars, applesauce, graham crackers and by eating some meals in the Paradise Visitors Center cafeteria instead. I'm thinking that staying there 4 nights may give me enough days to wait out a cloudy/rainy spell if necessary.
I'm putting my daughter on all the train reservations in the hope that she will be able to join me for part of the trip, if not all.
-------------------- My new "default" station (EKH) has no baggage service or QuikTrak machine, but the parking is free! And the NY Central RR Museum is just across the tracks (but not open at Amtrak train times. . ..) Posts: 337 | From: Goshen, IN | Registered: Jun 2006
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I know this is much earlier than you suggested, but i hightly recommend at least a half day at the California Rail Museum in Old Town Sacaramento. If the steam trains are running, that's a nice trip along the levees as well. I try to go up for a half day visit once a year, and always enjoy it. And I'm in the upstairs contingent, I like the views!
Posts: 406 | From: La Grange, CA | Registered: Sep 2007
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