Baggage Question

[Darryl]

I've read the rules and, although my one large American Tourister suitcase (1960 vintage) falls within the allowed size and weight limits, I wonder where I'm going to store it in coach. It's going to be a hazard to traveller's safety if I store it overhead - hate to think about it falling down. Is there space under the coach seat to store a 22"x28" suitcase? It's about 10" deep. On the second leg of my trip I can't check, so I'd just as soon carry on for the entire trip. Thanks.

 

[B&Ofan]

You needen't worry. If you think it would be too unstabel above the seat, there are locations at one of the ends of the car you can stow it.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Nice old suitecase! Would want one myself!

 

[the_traveler]

Will you be on a Superliner of an Amfleet/Horizon car? (2 level train or single level train?)
If single level, the above is correct. If Superliner, there is a large luggage rack just inside the door to store your bag(s). I would not recommend trying to carry them to the upper level, although many try. The 2 sharp 90 degree turns on the stairs make it very difficult, and it also delays those behind you.
I'm joking, but you can put just about anything smaller than a casket in the overhead luggage rack and it will stay there. Remember that they do not have doors on them (except on Acela), so there is a lot of room!

 

[SubwayNut]

Amtrak California Cars also have doors and latches on the overhead bins.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Amtrak California Cars also have doors and latches on the overhead bins.

They do? Not when I rode them!

 

[gswager]

Amtrak California Cars also have doors and latches on the overhead bins.

They do? Not when I rode them!

San Joaquin has those doors and latches on overhead bins. It's worse than airlines' overhead bins!

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Amtrak California Cars also have doors and latches on the overhead bins.

They do? Not when I rode them!

San Joaquin has those doors and latches on overhead bins. It's worse than airlines' overhead bins!

Oh right, I found a picture here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22038157@N05/3713797266/. I agree, looks horrible.

 

[roadman3313]

Amtrak California Cars also have doors and latches on the overhead bins.

They do? Not when I rode them!

San Joaquin has those doors and latches on overhead bins. It's worse than airlines' overhead bins!

Oh right, I found a picture here: http://www.flickr.co...N05/3713797266/. I agree, looks horrible.

That photo is of an 8000-series Amtrak California Car. These are the original order of cars and are used in Northern California on the Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin routes (8001-8032 Coaches, 8201-8206 Coach/Baggage, 8301-8314 Coach/Cab Cars, 8801-8814 Cafe Cars w/ Upper Level Cafes).

The cars used in Southern California are commonly known as Surfliner cars (6000-series cars). These are a different order (circa year 2000) and layout than the 8000-series cars. (6300-6307 Coach w/ Lower Level Cafe, 6400-6414 Coaches, 6800-6807 Pacific Business Class, 6900-6908 Cab/Coach/Baggage)

Another order (circa 2001-2002) are modeled after the Surfliner cars but feature different seating, tray tables, and some other minor changes. This order was split between Northern and Southern California and painted accordingly. (6351-6352 Surfliner Coach/Downstairs Cafe, 6361-6362 Amtrak California Coach with Downstairs Cafe, 6451-6453 Surfliner Coaches, 6461-6465 Amtrak California Coaches, 6851-6852 Surfliner Pacific Business Class, 6951-6953 Surfliner Cab/Coach/Baggage Car, 6961-6965 Amtrak California Cab/Coach/Baggage).

Finally you have some Superliner cars mixed in as well as wrecked Superliners that were rebuild for California Service and painted in a version of the Amtrak California or Surfliner colors. These car interiors are similar to a standard Superliner with a few modifications such as removal of the foot rest. Superliner Car doors to the platform typically are not opened for Surfliner or Amtrak California Service. Passengers can enter through a standard AC/Surfliner car and enter the Superliner car from inside the train.

Not all cars in California are "California Cars" per say. But they are all owned by the California Department of Transportation.

With that said the Baggage Space does differ within the different car types. 8000-series cars have those small baggage compartments as pictured which are not that practical for luggage. 6000-series cars have more open storage for baggage that is more similar to an Amtrak Superliner.

For the OP it really depends which type of Amtrak car you would be travelling in. I know for the Superliners on Long Distance Trains it is difficult for luggage to fall off the overhead rack as there usually is a lip to keep the luggage in the rack space. It is also carpeted so it can be a little less prone to sliding. Luggage space is also located Downstairs but it is first-come first-serve and can often fill up if the train is busy.

What train would you be taking so we may have a better idea on the potential car type to better assist in answering your question?

 

[AlanB]

Not all cars in California are "California Cars" per say. But they are all owned by the California Department of Transportation.

This statement needs some further clarification. All of the so called "California cars" are indeed owned by CADOT. When it comes t o the Surfliner cars, it's a mix of Amtrak ownership and CADOT. CADOT owns more cars than Amtrak; but they don't own all of them.

 

[roadman3313]

Thanks for the Clarification!

Another additon... The rebuilt Superliner cars are leased by Caltrans. Northern California "Amtrak California" Locomotives are owned by Caltrans under the CDTX name. Southern California Surfliner Locomotives are owned by Amtrak.

In theory, this means that if something were to happen to Amtrak per say that California would retain all of their Northern California Rail Fleet and the majority of their Southern California Rail cars. They would need a new contractor to Operate the service and agreements and what not but they would still have equipment when the time came.

As we know though, there is not enough capacity using California and Surfliner cars alone so a fair number of trains are supplimented with or use Amtrak cars and locomotives. In theory, California would have enough equipment to maintain a certain level of service, though.

Back to baggage... another question for the OP... how long is the 2nd leg of the trip and would you be getting on near the begining of the route or later on down the route? This could play into the capacity available. Regardless, I'm sure there would be a way to accomodate the baggage and the crew would be able to assist with that.

 

[AlanB]

Another additon... The rebuilt Superliner cars are leased by Caltrans. Northern California "Amtrak California" Locomotives are owned by Caltrans under the CDTX name. Southern California Surfliner Locomotives are owned by Amtrak.

Actually, it's more complicated than that. Caltrans paid to repair those cars which had been damaged, and in return they get the use of those cars for a number of years. Sorry, I don't recall how many years.

 

[roadman3313]

If more clarification or detail is wanted I'm more than happy to pool information with fellow-users so we can get a list going. I just assume the average user asking a general question is not looking (or may not be interested in) the details or things like that. Thus, most of my statements are fairly generalized and won't include many details beyond what the average riding passenger may notice or be concerned with.

And from when I worked more on the rail side of things the agreement was for 6 years back in 2007... of course I'm sure by now the number of cars has been increased and I'm sure the terms have changed as well. There were a lot of contracts and paperwork going around so the numbers did change quite a few times. With the new order for rail cars going out for review and the rebuild Comet I/Horizon cars coming out in a few months to suppliment the fleet on the San Joaquin route the consist on many trains may change IMO.

I also was trying not to stray too far OT... maybe we can open an Amtrak California Thread within the Amtrak Forum to discuss this and the other California-related questions coming up if there is a demand for it?

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

San Joaquin has those doors and latches on overhead bins. It's worse than airlines' overhead bins!

Oh right, I found a picture here: http://www.flickr.co...N05/3713797266/. I agree, looks horrible.

That photo is of an 8000-series Amtrak California Car. These are the original order of cars and are used in Northern California on the Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin routes (8001-8032 Coaches, 8201-8206 Coach/Baggage, 8301-8314 Coach/Cab Cars, 8801-8814 Cafe Cars w/ Upper Level Cafes).

The cars used in Southern California are commonly known as Surfliner cars (6000-series cars). These are a different order (circa year 2000) and layout than the 8000-series cars. (6300-6307 Coach w/ Lower Level Cafe, 6400-6414 Coaches, 6800-6807 Pacific Business Class, 6900-6908 Cab/Coach/Baggage)

Another order (circa 2001-2002) are modeled after the Surfliner cars but feature different seating, tray tables, and some other minor changes. This order was split between Northern and Southern California and painted accordingly. (6351-6352 Surfliner Coach/Downstairs Cafe, 6361-6362 Amtrak California Coach with Downstairs Cafe, 6451-6453 Surfliner Coaches, 6461-6465 Amtrak California Coaches, 6851-6852 Surfliner Pacific Business Class, 6951-6953 Surfliner Cab/Coach/Baggage Car, 6961-6965 Amtrak California Cab/Coach/Baggage).

Finally you have some Superliner cars mixed in as well as wrecked Superliners that were rebuild for California Service and painted in a version of the Amtrak California or Surfliner colors. These car interiors are similar to a standard Superliner with a few modifications such as removal of the foot rest. Superliner Car doors to the platform typically are not opened for Surfliner or Amtrak California Service. Passengers can enter through a standard AC/Surfliner car and enter the Superliner car from inside the train.

Not all cars in California are "California Cars" per say. But they are all owned by the California Department of Transportation.

Why did they remove the footrest from the Superliners?