A Long Trip: Capitol Limited, Texas Eagle, and Sunset Limited

[Cross Country]

Hi all, I’m getting ready for a cross-country trip to L.A. from D.C. in a couple of days. I’m taking a rather long route: the Capitol Limited, the Texas Eagle, and the Sunset Limited. I’ll be in a sleeper throughout.

I have the following on my list of “items to bring” and was wondering if anyone had other suggestions:

• Snacks and water
• Route guides
• Dollars for tips
• Earplugs

By the way, what’s a reasonable tip in the diner and for the sleeping car attendant?

Has anyone had experience of renting a car at LA Union Station? If so, I’d appreciate hearing about that experience (easy, difficult – I’ve heard the rental cars are a challenge to find from the rental counter).

I have to detrain in San Antonio since I’m not on the “through” car to L.A. How quickly do they start boarding the Sunset Limited when it arrives into the station? I really hope I don’t have to wait until 2:45am to board.

If you have any other advice to share, I’d love to hear it as well! Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[tommylicious]

Duct tape to secure rattly doors, tape curtains down. A bottle of clorox bleach spray and roll of paper towels to wipe down the cabin. A basic analog scanner preprogrammed with the NAR channels to monitor stuff.

 

[fillyjonk]

Earplugs are an excellent idea. I also bring a dark eyeshade as any light bothers me when I'm trying to sleep.

I usually tip roughly 17% to 20% of what the meal would have cost (depending on service, and maybe less if it's really poor) in the diner, and $5-$10 to the sleeping car attendant depending on how much help I get (I also tend to tip more at the holiday season, just because).

 

[ehbowen]

Renting a car at L.A. should be no problem, although when we took the Sunset in 2006 I had to bail from Hertz at the last minute because their counter was going to be closed when we arrived. (Train was 6 hours late...common then, although timekeeping is much better as of late.) I ended up taking the Flyaway bus to the airport and renting from Budget because they would allow me to return an airport rental to Union Station...Hertz wouldn't. The rental car desks are easy to find, though, just outside the baggage claim area, and the cars are kept in the downstairs garage. Should be no hassle.

In the dining car, tip as you would for the same meal in a restaurant. When in sleeper with prepaid meals, just note the menu price of what you order and tip in cash accordingly. Don't be afraid to ask for change for a ten or twenty...the diner crew will be happy to oblige.

I'm afraid you probably will have to wait to board in the San Antonio station. If I were you I would be on the line with Amtrak every day trying to see if there was a cancellation in the through car, even if it did cost a few dollars more. If you do switch to the through car, though, be aware that your car attendant will not make the switch. If you feel that the Chicago-San Antonio car attendant has earned a gratuity ($10 a night is reasonable; $5 a night is my minimum for acceptable service), then be sure to give it to him before San Antonio because he will be leaving you there.

 

[kbmiflyer]

If you have stuff to plug in (phone, laptop, ipad, etc), bring a short extension cord. The outlets aren't necessarily convenient. I like to use the GPS feature on my phone, but that runs the battery down really quickly. Shampoo for the shower. I think Amtrak supplies soap but no shampoo.

Other than that, just stuff to keep you occupied. You are going to be on the train a long time.

For tips, I usually do $2-$3 for breakfast and lunch, and $5 for dinner. I do $5 to $10 per day for the car attendant.

 

[Cross Country]

Many thanks for all the responses thus far. They're really quite helpful.

Shampoo! That's right, I had forgotten that.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

Unless you need a higher than normal amount of water, I'd leave that behind as even with the cutbacks, plenty of water should be available in the Sleepers and that keeps you from having to haul dead weight.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Excellent advice about trying to switch your rez on the Texas Eagle #21 to #421 (the through Sleeper from CHI-LAX) if there is a vacancy that shows up! There usually is price difference, depends on the bucket and when you're traveling, it can be over $100 which isn't worth it IMO!

You can walk over to the 24/7 Denny's a few blocks to the West on Commerce towards downtown, it's a better place to wait than the small, bright, crowded station! One problem might be your luggage, there is no place to check it while waiting and you can't leave it in the Train!

The Sunset Ltd#1 usually arrives between 1100pm and Midnight into SAS, the Eagle usually gets there between 10pm and 1100pm if not running Late!

I've made the switch several times between Sleepers @ the Station, the attendant that comes on #1 from NOL stats with his car until it leaves @2:45am and the new Conductor for the SAS to Del Rio leg comes on duty @ Midnight so I suggest you ask them if you can board and occupy your room before the Switching occurs, they'll usually let you!

 

[Stevestx]

Re:Clorox spray. I bought a package of Clorox wipes before my last trip and they worked well. It's a flat recloseable package and reasonably priced. The only problem was I had the half-full package in my backpack on the way home on the plane and I guess when I stuffed my backpack into the uncivilized space beneath the seat it squished the package and got Clorox juice on some of my paperwork. Next time I'll put the package in a ziplock bag!

 

[JoeRids]

For tips, I usually do $2-$3 for breakfast and lunch, and $5 for dinner. I do $5 to $10 per day for the car attendant.

I would stick with this formula for tips. The 17-20% suggested above seems excessive. While this may be a good gauge in a normal restaurant, these servers earn a regular wage from Amtrak and not a "servers wage" that land based restaurants pay. Also, the prices on Amtrak menus for dinner especially are outrageous for the quality and portion of food you will receive. That is not to say the food will be poor; it's just not worth the prices.

 

[TrainLoverJoy]

Hi all, I’m getting ready for a cross-country trip to L.A. from D.C. in a couple of days. I’m taking a rather long route: the Capitol Limited, the Texas Eagle, and the Sunset Limited. I’ll be in a sleeper throughout.

I have the following on my list of “items to bring” and was wondering if anyone had other suggestions:

• Snacks and water
• Route guides
• Dollars for tips
• Earplugs

By the way, what’s a reasonable tip in the diner and for the sleeping car attendant?

Has anyone had experience of renting a car at LA Union Station? If so, I’d appreciate hearing about that experience (easy, difficult – I’ve heard the rental cars are a challenge to find from the rental counter).

I have to detrain in San Antonio since I’m not on the “through” car to L.A. How quickly do they start boarding the Sunset Limited when it arrives into the station? I really hope I don’t have to wait until 2:45am to board.

If you have any other advice to share, I’d love to hear it as well! Thanks in advance for the advice!

I have used both Hertz and Budget car rentals at Union Station. There are after-hour drop boxes at both places, which come in handy for weekend drop offs. I knew that Hertz was okay with after hour drop offs, but didn't know about Budget. They have a 2pm drop off time on Sunday. Even tho the Eagle didn't leave until 10pm that Sunday night I thought I had to have car back by 2pm "or else". However, upon making the 2pm time I noticed a drop off box so I'm guessing the "or else" would have been just dropping off the keys after everyone had left. Has anyone done that with Budget?

 

[user 1215]

Unless you need a higher than normal amount of water, I'd leave that behind as even with the cutbacks, plenty of water should be available in the Sleepers and that keeps you from having to haul dead weight.

I agree with this as well. I take little Mio or Crystal Light flavor enhancers in case I get bored with water. Also, don't forget to join Amtrak Guest Rewards and add these 2x$$ to your accrual.

If you are any kind of barfly, you can check out San Antonio's famous River Walk which is very close to the station - and the bars don't close 'til 2.

 

[bobnjulie]

I bring a Magic Eraser to wipe down the shower before we get in. Works well.

 

[ArchBishop]

Depending on the number of electronics you bring with you, I would suggest a short power strip as I believe there is only one plug on the wall behind one of the seats in a roomette.