RAILforum: Superliner vs. Viewliner

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Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :

How do upper berths on the Viewliners compare to the upper on the Superliners? We had a Deluxe Bedroom on the Empire Builder and the upper was pretty narrow and claustrophobic. We are considering getting two standards on the Crescent this Fall instead so that we can each have a lower. Comments? Suggestions? We'll be going from NOL to WAS for a wedding. We could, however, do the trip in reverse. Is one direction preferable to the other?

I'm planning on using Continental OnePass miles again for this trip. On the Empire Builder trip we got a discount on the mileage required because we traveled before the end of April. Are there usually similar discounts offered in the Fall?

Frank in SBA

Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :

I agree the Superliner uppers are pretty tight, but with your eyes closed its just like any other bed.

I have never been in a Viewliner, but the upper bunks do have a panoramic window and, judging from the photos, enough headroom to sit up and read.

The Viewliner upper bed dimensions are officially the same as the Superliner, but they look like they get narrower at the foot end.

An 80+ year old lady friend once told me that when she first tried a Viewliner bedroom, she liked the upper window so much, she insisted she sleep up there, even though she was traveling alone. She said her car attendant was kind of wary about a woman of her age climbing up there, but let her do so anyway.

So I'd give it a try before I doubled the sleeping room costs. But that's just me.

[This message has been edited by Mr. Toy (edited 06-12-2004).]

Posted by Ray S (Member # 3175) on :

I agree that the uppers in Superliners are a little claustrophobic for some people.

The Viewliners have more space and the upper window makes all the difference.

You will have no problem with a deluxe Viewliner upper.

Ray

Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :

I prefer the Superliner Standard over the Viewliner (ridden both many times). The most positive thing I can say for the Viewliner Std over Superliner is that the Upper Bunk is wider and the Topside window is a +++++.

In either case, though, It is my (recognize it is not universal) belief that the Standard in either car is a sigle adult accomodation, that has an additional bed to accomodate parties such as adult and small child, two adolescents whose parents occupy a Deluxe, or two adults who know full well that they will be sacrificing considerable comfort with double occupancy.

The "Standard" for two adults quite simply is the Deluxe.

The Viewliner Standard's "in room facilities" are no +++, even for single occupancy. For double occupancy a most definite -----, especially since there are no communal facilities (other than shower) anywhere in the car. I don't think the "In room.." came about account a perceived passenger convenience; they simply represent the best use of space. If comunal facilities had been used, then one module (yield: 2 lavatories) would have to be sacrificed.

I can't recall a Viewliner trip where I have not "picked up on" an adverse comment regarding Standard double occupancy; "couldn't they have told us how small it is?", "you mean they have larger rooms than these?"

These comments appear to be from folks who could have well afforded Deluxe.

I guess I should note my Amtrak travels are always East of Chi (just no reason to go West) to New York and/or Florida. For what it be worth, most gripes seem to be "in season" aboard either Auto Train or Star, especially the latter.

[This message has been edited by Gilbert B Norman (edited 06-13-2004).]

Posted by Jim (Member # 65) on :

Having traveled in both Viewliners and Superliners, I can assure you that there is no better Amtrak accomodation than a Viewliner Deluxe bedroom. YOu can easily sit up in the upper bunk (and I am very tall!); there is a huge amount of storage space for bags above the lavatory and the cubbyhole (space made available above the corridor) and of course under the sofa seat (which I don't recommend.) The facilities are totally private. By an accident of fate, we ended up in a handicapped deluxe last time we traveled, which is palatial and has a very comforable lavatory (designed to accomodate wheelchairs) but since this isn't available ordinarily to those traveling without the need for the space, I didn't include it in my above superlative.
I agree, upper bunks in Superliners are very cramped. The added window in a Viewliner makes it even better.
I guess I'm in the minority when I say I prefer Viewliner standards to Superliner standards, but again, you have more vertical space in the room, the above mentioned cubbyhole (but it's smaller in the standard) and the convenience of the lavatory in the room.

Posted by CHATTER (Member # 1185) on :

I agree that the Viewliner deluxe is preferable to the Superliner--I, too, have ridden both many times.

I also agree, as I always have, with Mr. Norman's oft-repeated assertion that the standard sleeper is really a one-person accomodation. Then again, I also agree with him that all overnight trips should be taken in sleepers, except perhaps for the very youngest travelers.

I have had occasion to ride in the VL handicapped sleeper, whose size does indeed seem "palatial," as Mr. Jim aptly put it. The SL sleeper is also very large, but its commode is behind a curtain, rather than behind a door. There is also no shower, though a communal one is literally just outside the door.

Posted by dixiebreeze (Member # 3224) on :

Since I'm always W and NW bound, my travel is always on the Superliners. The Viewliners sound great. Which routes have them?

I've traveled both deluxe and standard on the SL, and actually prefer standard.

Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :

Hello Ms. Breeze--

Viewliners are assigned as follows:
19-20 Crescent New Orleans New York
40-41 Three Rivers Chicago New York
48-49 Lake Shore Chicago New York
50-51 Cardinal Chicago-New York
91-92 Silver Star Miami New York
97-98 Silver Meteor Miami New York
448-449 Lake Shore Chicago Boston

They are maintained at Hialeah FL and are rotated so they they will be assigned to the two trains going there for periodic maintenance. Heavy maintenance is of course done at Beech Grove.

Cars are numbered 62000-62049 and also are named "--View". 2 cars have been withdrawn from service as a resuly of a May 03 incident at Hinesville, GA. While photos would suggest that the cars would be reparable, they have not been returned to service.

[This message has been edited by Gilbert B Norman (edited 06-14-2004).]

Posted by dixiebreeze (Member # 3224) on :

Thank you, Mr. Norman. I will surely try and travel on a VL one of these days.

Posted by Capltd29 (Member # 3292) on :

I definetely prefer the Viewliner at night becaue of the window, except that My mom and I travel together and it is not good when either one of us needs to use the restroom. I love the top window, the Superliner top bunk is nothing more than a Catacomb it feels like.

I am 14 and not more than 5'9
I can accomodate fairly well in either one
I took my first Superliner trip 7 years ago on the Capita(o)l Limited, It was somewhat difficult to change in the upperbunk. Now it is a no-no in either standard BR

I like the superliner during the day for the smoother ride.

The Deluxe BR in the SL is my favorite.

I no all this may be confusing because it is in no kind of sequiencial order, but I try.