Amtrak's Missed Connection Sleeper Cars at CUS

[Devil's Advocate]

Has anyone here been put up in Amtrak's missed connection sleeper cars at CUS? What was it like? Where in the station were you located? Were any engines connected? Was it noisy? Was it really bright outside? Were the doors locked or disabled? Did they have someone available if you needed something? Were food vouchers included? Did you exchange vouchers for food in the station and then take it to your room on the train? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[Pere Flyer]

I had no idea Amtrak did this. With all the talk about equipment shortages, I'm surprised Amtrak keeps a sleeper in CUS as a hostel of sorts. Indeed, inquiring minds want to know!

 

[Steve4031]

The cars are parked on 22 or 24 by the entrance from platform into station. Not sure how the food works. It would be quiet because cars are not moving. They are hooked up to station power.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I had no idea Amtrak did this. With all the talk about equipment shortages, I'm surprised Amtrak keeps a sleeper in CUS as a hostel of sorts. Indeed, inquiring minds want to know!

They may be protect cars that would normally be sitting around in the yard anyway. If they're needed, then the "hostel" is "closed" while they're being used elsewhere.

 

[Phil S]

Probably a dumb question but what is CUS? Amtrak tells me it's not a valid station code. #22 is Texas Eagle, which gets a sleeper off of #2 in San Antonio (SAS). What is #24?.

 

[JayPea]

CUS is shorthand for Chicago Union Station. The actual three letter code for Chicago is CHI.

 

[printman2000]

I saw the two cars twice in the past two weeks. One was a full sleeper and one was a transition sleeper. They were indeed hooked up to shore power.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Probably a dumb question but what is CUS? Amtrak tells me it's not a valid station code. #22 is Texas Eagle, which gets a sleeper off of #2 in San Antonio (SAS). What is #24?.

As stated, CUS is Chicago Union Station (CHI is the station code). #22 & 24 refer to track numbers at CUS/CHI

 

[zephyr17]

Just like LAUS (LAUPT for us old timers) is LA Union Station, station code LAX.

 

[zephyr17]

Any one had to use them, what was it like? How open was the access, could you go out and come back? Any other comments.

Inquiring minds want to know. I've had Amtrak provide me hotels in Chicago because of misconnects from western LDs more times than I can count.