Aisle width on Sunset and California Zephyr
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the_traveler
Engineer
Those two trains - and all other Superliner trains - have the same width. I don't know the exact size, but I'd guess about 2 feet wide.
June the Coach Rider
OBS Chief
When I have been in the diner, I don;t know the measurements, but two people can stand side to side in the aisle and they were both rather large people, the head person and the attendant and they had no problems standing side by side in the aisle. Not sure why you ask, but if it is your width, I am over 300 lbs and have no problem with them at all.
She, or someone she's traveling with, may use a walker and is concerned about walking through the diner with it.
Ditto! Even for able bodied youngsters the Stairs arent easy! Hopefully when the Superliner IIIs come in 2525 more thought will be given to intelligent design and passenger ability to navigate around the Train! :help:
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the_traveler
Engineer
If that's the case, I can spread more light. I use a walker myself. I haven't tried on the upper level of a Superliner (due to the stairs), but I have on an Amfleet (single level trains).
My walker will not fit thru the aisle in coach. The diner aisle is about the same width.
If you can walk, what I do is use the seat backs (in coach and the diner) or the walls (in the sleepers) for support. Other passengers understand, as most do the same. (This same advice is for all passengers.)
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Thank you all so much for taking the trouble to reply to my query.
We are a party of four from NZ, planning to travel for a month around the States in September this year. (Our second trip - loved it!). Sadly, one of our party has had a stroke and can't walk or stand unaided, after 10 months. He can manage with a walker, however.
Sister and BIL have booked a "bedroom", which has it's own shower and toilet, but I'm wondering if BIL, can get to the dining and viewing cars.
They will be bringing a TravelScoot, which is 23" wide x 37" long. This amazing little scooter folds to the size of a child's stroller and is very light.
We're hopeful this may be suitable to negotiate the aisles on the trains. Can't see how to load an image, but here is a link - perhaps someone can check it out and let me know what they think. It turns "on a sixpence" - very maneuverable.
http://travelscootnz.co.nz/?gclid=COyLhOqrkLwCFVYIvAodd2MANw
Many thanks in advance.
Regards
Ava
We are a party of four from NZ, planning to travel for a month around the States in September this year. (Our second trip - loved it!). Sadly, one of our party has had a stroke and can't walk or stand unaided, after 10 months. He can manage with a walker, however.
Sister and BIL have booked a "bedroom", which has it's own shower and toilet, but I'm wondering if BIL, can get to the dining and viewing cars.
They will be bringing a TravelScoot, which is 23" wide x 37" long. This amazing little scooter folds to the size of a child's stroller and is very light.
We're hopeful this may be suitable to negotiate the aisles on the trains. Can't see how to load an image, but here is a link - perhaps someone can check it out and let me know what they think. It turns "on a sixpence" - very maneuverable.
http://travelscootnz.co.nz/?gclid=COyLhOqrkLwCFVYIvAodd2MANw
Many thanks in advance.
Regards
Ava
Your BIL will have a problem going up the narrow, steep stairs, with 2 90 degree turns in order to get to the second level where the bedrooms are, never mind the diner. You should try to rebook them for the Handicapped Bedroom, which is on the first level, at the end of an aisle that IS wide enough for wheel chairs. You need to call Amtrak to book that space, and they'll probably want some kind of doctor's note/medical record to prove eligibility for it. The good news is for someone genuinely handicapped, the "H" room is priced like a roomette, not a bedroom, so is cheaper, although it does contain its own toilet facilities (no shower, though).
Note that you can only pass through the train from car to car to the diner or lounge on the second level, not the first. As I said, the real issue for you will be those stairs to get up there.
Note that you can only pass through the train from car to car to the diner or lounge on the second level, not the first. As I said, the real issue for you will be those stairs to get up there.
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D.P. Roberts
Conductor
For reference, Amtrak allows the following for mobility devices. In all of these cases, I would agree that they are intended to be used on the lower levels of the train (accessible coach cars or handicapped bedrooms). I have seen able-bodied adults fall and injure themselves badly on Amtrak stairs - I think they would be impossible for anyone who cannot walk unassisted.
Wheeled Mobility Device SpecificationsAmtrak trains accommodate most wheeled mobility devices in use today.
Wheeled Mobility Device SpecificationsAmtrak trains accommodate most wheeled mobility devices in use today.
- Dimensions: The device should not exceed 30 inches (76 centimeters) wide and 48 inches (122 centimeters) long, and should have a minimum of 2 inches (5 centimeters) of ground clearance.
- Weight: The weight limit for an occupied wheeled mobility device is 600 lbs (273 kg).
- Manual and battery powered: Amtrak permits both manually operated and battery powered wheeled mobility devices that meet these specifications.
Here is a link to a picture of the steps. I agree - they are quite steep and have two sharp turns. It is very easy to catch your foot on the treads going up or down. You have to use these steps to get up to the dining and viewing cars.
http://nolatron.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1998804
http://nolatron.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1998804
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June the Coach Rider
OBS Chief
I have to walk with a cane only, and I have trouble going up and down those stairs. You say he cannot walk without assistance, then I am assuming he can't do the stairs without assistance. You would so much better off getting the handicapped room for him and have the meals delivered. Then once on the train, if you find that he can do the stairs, all the better and he can go to the observation car. If you book an upstairs room and he can't even get up the stairs in the first place, this would be a terrible problem.
Edited to add: The picture of the stairs are kind of hard to tell, but they are really narrow, and VERY STEEP. If he can't walk without assistance, there is no way he can do those stairs without someone having to almost carry him up and that won't happen.
Edited to add: The picture of the stairs are kind of hard to tell, but they are really narrow, and VERY STEEP. If he can't walk without assistance, there is no way he can do those stairs without someone having to almost carry him up and that won't happen.
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I'm going to disagree with all of you about those stairs. It depends on the disability. I'm paralyzed but have good upper body strength, and the stairs are easier than the skinny aisles because the stairs have good bannisters. Most Superliner stairs have bannisters on both sides, and the ones that only have one bannister, have a useful shelf on the other side. Because the stairs are so skinny, I can reach both sides easily. So, I can see how all of you used to propelling yourselves with your legs would have trouble with those stairs, but they are as good as parallel bars, just fine for those of us used to primarily using our arms.
That said, I agree about the H-room, and I agree with June that B-I-L can decide on the train after seeing the stairs.
The scooter is interesting, especially fitting it into a Smart car! Anyone going to be on a Superliner next month, any chance you could pack a tape measure? This question about the width of various aisles comes up regularly.
That said, I agree about the H-room, and I agree with June that B-I-L can decide on the train after seeing the stairs.
The scooter is interesting, especially fitting it into a Smart car! Anyone going to be on a Superliner next month, any chance you could pack a tape measure? This question about the width of various aisles comes up regularly.
the_traveler
Engineer
Only the sleeping cars have rails on both sides.
Let me correct that. I have only seen 1 sleeping car on trains I've been on that had only a rail on one side. On the other hand, I've have only had 1 car (coach or lounge car) that had 2 rails on the stairs. And most times, I walk to other cars during the trip.
Many thanks to all of you! Your info has been very helpful. Seems BIL can walk with a walker and crutches, using his legs, (the left one is weak though), and has very good upper body strength.
We are hoping, in booking a "bedroom" on the upper level, he will only have the challenge of the stairs twice and will get to enjoy the better view from the upper level. By September, he may have improved significantly. (We hope).
To DP Roberts - thank you so much for the dimensions - if they are correct - and I'm sure they would be - his little scooter should fit, being only 23" at it's widest? i.e. across the back wheels.
Have a great day, everyone and thanks again.
Ava
We are hoping, in booking a "bedroom" on the upper level, he will only have the challenge of the stairs twice and will get to enjoy the better view from the upper level. By September, he may have improved significantly. (We hope).
To DP Roberts - thank you so much for the dimensions - if they are correct - and I'm sure they would be - his little scooter should fit, being only 23" at it's widest? i.e. across the back wheels.
Have a great day, everyone and thanks again.
Ava
seat38a
Engineer
George Harris
Engineer
I would be inclined to think you should consider an upper level room because, as said, you only have to negotiate the stairs twice. Noting that he has good upper body strength is part of the reason for my answer. There are plenty of things to hold on to when you walk the aisle, and once there you are able to access the dining car, etc. You will have much better views, also.
My wife had hip and knee troubles and stairs are very unpleasant. Our norm down the central valley is ride the lower level, and I run for food, etc. and we eat on the seat back trays or if where there is one the between seat tables. (Seat on these cars do not rotate, so half face backwards.) Their food car is a snack bar car type set up with relatively limited seating and small tables with a lot of it held down by squatters. Yet on our trip on the CZ across the Sierra we road upper level both ways. The better view and ability to go to the diner made the up and down the steps worthwhile.
My wife had hip and knee troubles and stairs are very unpleasant. Our norm down the central valley is ride the lower level, and I run for food, etc. and we eat on the seat back trays or if where there is one the between seat tables. (Seat on these cars do not rotate, so half face backwards.) Their food car is a snack bar car type set up with relatively limited seating and small tables with a lot of it held down by squatters. Yet on our trip on the CZ across the Sierra we road upper level both ways. The better view and ability to go to the diner made the up and down the steps worthwhile.
seat38a
Engineer
On the Sunset Limited, our sleeper attendant, Darlean, took care of all the disabled guest. She would bring the food from the dining car directly to their room. While venturing downstairs, I also saw her checking in on the lady in the "Accessible Bedroom" if she needed anything. Now the stairs are narrow and tricky. While boarding in Los Angeles, a elderly lady fell backwards and I stopped the fall since I was right behind her. Don't try to carry too much up or down the stairs. That is how she lost her balance.
the_traveler
Engineer
You also said he has a scooter. If you were bringing that also, there is almost no way you could bring it up the stairs - without carrying it up. Even then, it would be a tight squeeze. And unless the H-Room is unoccupied, there is no place to store it downstairs.
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Hi there - the scooter he is bringing folds down to the size of a light baby stroller and is very light. Called a TravelScoot - it's an amazing little beastie and he will be using it all over the States, but probably not on the train though as he should be able to manage with crutches.
It is only 37" long and 23" wide. One of us will carry it folded up the stairs - they have booked a bedroom (with shower and toilet), and it should be able to be stored in there - takes up next to no room. I think all considered, it's not going to be a problem. By the time we get on the Zephyr, he'll be "an old hand".
Can't wait to get back to your great country - so much to see and do.
It is only 37" long and 23" wide. One of us will carry it folded up the stairs - they have booked a bedroom (with shower and toilet), and it should be able to be stored in there - takes up next to no room. I think all considered, it's not going to be a problem. By the time we get on the Zephyr, he'll be "an old hand".
Can't wait to get back to your great country - so much to see and do.
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