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I'll be traveling on board train 5 enroute to emeryville on Sunday and have reserved a family bedroom. I have been in one but have never reserved this space and am wondering how loud it is?
I could have just reserved a roomette but am traveling with someone who's never stepped foot on a train and wanted to have the space for both of us...hoping it wont be a bad experience.
None the less, im looking forward to it.
birdchops
chrisg Member # 2488
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The Family Room is on the lower level extending all the way across the car with views out both side. It will give you a great ride,
Chris
train lady Member # 3920
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you will have plenty of space for 2 of you and you won't have people walking back and forth in front of your room.
birdchops Member # 6669
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well I hope I made the right choice with my first-time rail rider. I've traversed the route in the past with roomette accomdations.
regardless im sure cabernet will taste the same. we have to switch to a rommette in reno , a move that saved us like 400 from the price of the ticket. silly perhaps but 400 will buy a couple nice dinners at lake tahoe, or quite a few bottles of cabernet!
Southwest Chief Member # 1227
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I personally never liked the family room.
Here is what I think to be major cons of the room:
1 While you do get a full car width room and windows on each side, the windows are half the size of a roomette or bedroom.
2 I always traveled with my family in it so it seemed a bit cramped to me. With just 2 people you'll have more then enough room.
3 It's downstairs only so the view may not be as interesting. Plus the truck is right behind the wall of the room. So if there is a flat spot wheel you'll hear it...and might even feel it.
4 There is no window in the room door. Sometimes I think you get overlooked by the porter and dining car attendant when in the family room. I think the lack of a door window is partially the reason.
Here are the pros:
1 More room (full width of the sleeper)
2 Easy access to the downstairs luggage rack (when compared to upstairs rooms).
3 Easy access to the restrooms (when compared to upstairs rooms).
train lady Member # 3920
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Matt I must say I agree with you. In addition I think it is much colder down there
Mike Smith Member # 447
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Matt, why would they need access to the luggage rack? They will have tons of room in their room for luggage.
birdchops, I would suggest leaving your room and heading for the sightseer car as you leave Denver. You will want FULL view of the view, climbing into the Rockies.
TwinStarRocket Member # 2142
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I second what Mike said about the sightseer lounge, but if the train is crowded I would stake out your seat in the lounge BEFORE leaving Denver. It sometimes fills up. I prefer sitting toward the rear of the lounge for the 28 tunnels west of Denver. With the ceiling glass the tunnel seems to wrap around the train coming toward you. Or maybe I just had too much beer.
palmland Member # 4344
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We had a family room on No. 5 last fall. My wife and I loved it - we each had 'our' window and would call out when something interesting approached.
I agree with all Southwest Chief's comments - but the smaller window did not bother us. However you should be in the Lounge for the climb up the front range and, later, the Gore canyon. Grab a good seat before the Denver crowd boards. On the other hand, the noise at night is exhilarating. Especially when you hear a loud crack and feel a jolt where the track is bad or rough crossing or switch. Your bottle of wine will help with this.
So, lots of good and a little not so good - but you will have a good time. The privacy, easy access to the large bathroom, as well as the outside doors for a quick inspection at station stops are all a real plus.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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I third the motion about claiming a spot in the Sightseer car before leaving Denver. On the RIGHT side -- that will give you a good view of the Front Range as the train climbs up, and of the eastern peaks as the train plunges into the Rockies. After Granby, however, try to get a seat on the left side of the car, because that'll give you the best view of Gore, Little Gore, Byers and Red Canyons. Return to the right side after Dotsero for Glenwood Canyon.
SilverStar092 Member # 2652
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I've had mixed thoughts about the family room. The small windows aren't so great nor is the view from track level. If there are 2 people, it will be okay since you each have a window. When there are 3, it's a pain as somebody sits in the middle and stares at the door. Unlike TRainlady, I've often found this room to be warm in summer as there aren't enough a/c vents. A small fan is a good idea. Once we had a car with a flat spot on thwe wheel and another time noisy springs (shock absorbers). Both sounded like they were right under my ear until I reverse ends of the bed. These are unlikely problems and I'm sure you'll have a nice trip!
train lady Member # 3920
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Silver Star, we never went in the summer so the heat was not an issue. But late spring and fall was.
birdchops Member # 6669
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im back from train 5 chicago to emmoryville.
everything was just fine. loved the extra space in the family bedroom. my first-time rider friend had a great time and enjoyed the scenery and we couldnt have had a better time. there were some small typical amtrak quirks amuck but overall i thought it went well.
the room was in the 532 sleeper and it was more quiet than i had thought. never had any problems with temperature at all. WIsh they put the car on in the opposite direction so that you werent riding backwards but all in all it was great.
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