Coast Starlight, coach- electrical outlets?

[Q]

I'm taking two little kids and our personal electronics on the Coast Starlight, from Seattle to Simi Valley, in a couple of weeks. We're riding coach, and I'm guessing we'll need some battery charges (DVD player and cell phone). I gather there are a couple of outlets in some of the coach cars? Will I get a chance to choose our seats, and if I do, where should I be looking and choosing? Where else might we find outlets?

If we can't charge our distraction-devices we'll live, but it'd sure be nice. Last year we took the same trip, but had a family bedroom... quite nice! Alas, out of my pricerange this year (also, sold out for the dates we wanted, though there are standard bedrooms available; it appears I can't book a roomette for an adult and two children online- anyone know if that's fudgeable, if the kids are really little (5 and 2, in my case)?)

Thanks for any help on these questions, or other pointers you might give!

-Q

 

[gyuri_ft]

I'm taking two little kids and our personal electronics on the Coast Starlight, from Seattle to Simi Valley, in a couple of weeks. We're riding coach, and I'm guessing we'll need some battery charges (DVD player and cell phone). I gather there are a couple of outlets in some of the coach cars? Will I get a chance to choose our seats, and if I do, where should I be looking and choosing? Where else might we find outlets?
If we can't charge our distraction-devices we'll live, but it'd sure be nice. Last year we took the same trip, but had a family bedroom... quite nice! Alas, out of my pricerange this year (also, sold out for the dates we wanted, though there are standard bedrooms available; it appears I can't book a roomette for an adult and two children online- anyone know if that's fudgeable, if the kids are really little (5 and 2, in my case)?)

Thanks for any help on these questions, or other pointers you might give!

-Q

There are some outlets but you have to ask attendant to seat you close to them. I did observe, many people fight for the seats close to outlets. It helps if you bring a cord with spare outlets: fellow passengers will thank you for that and as exchange for the favor you probably can claim the seat(s) close to the outlet.

However, with two small children I would seriously consider a roomette. As long as children are not big, Amtrak agent will allow you to occupy a single roomette - even if it is designed for two people. We had no problem with two bigger kids. If the price is too high for you, you can still ask the conductor upgrade on board of the train - provided there is a free roomette. It can be significantly cheaper to do the upgrade while the train is moving. Sometimes if there is a good discount code available or if the roomette pricing is not very high, you can end up reserving via Amtrak agent and land up paying pro person barely more than in couch: if you use roomette, it is considered "first class" and in this case the through fare is always the lowest possible. The "big extra" is the accomodation charge. However if it is within tolerance threshold, you should go for it. It is pro party, not pro person and all meals for everyone in party are included.

A little luck can turn your journay into a terrific bargain and pleasant experience. I have 3 kids, they love rail travel, but they love even more if it is in sleeping car. :lol:

 

[AlanB]

It is pro party, not pro person and all meals for everyone in party are included.

Technically that's not true. Amtrak's official policy is only 2 meals per roomette, no matter how many people are actually in the roomette. Now I will say that most dining car crews don't seem to enforce this rule, especially when kids are involved since most don't eat all that much. But if you do find a crew that enforces the rule, don't be shocked to find yourself paying for one meal.

 

[TransAtlantic]

The way small kids eat, it could be possible to share a single meal between two of them, maybe supplemented with an item or two for which you could pay cash.

Back to the electrical outlet issue, don't count on them in coach; depending on the generation of car, they will probably be hidden behind seats against the wall, accessible only by the coach cleaners who turn the seats to vacuum under them. Your options for battery charging are (a) the observation car, where there is a double outlet on top of the disused "bar" at the top of the stairs, and another just above the floor on the opposite side of the stairs, though these three are frequently used by everyone, so you'll have to take turns (and you will NOT be allowed to have a cord draped across the aisle) or (B ) the lower level of each coach has an outlet by the exit doors on the lower level which you can use, but there is no seating nearby, so you might end up sitting on the floor for 30 mins. or however long it takes to charge (unless you're comfortable leaving your electronics unattended, which some people are), and of course will have to unplug and get out of the way at any station stops

 

[Eris]

(Original poster here, I registered- alas, 'Q' is too short for the system)

The way small kids eat, it could be possible to share a single meal between two of them, maybe supplemented with an item or two for which you could pay cash.

I could probably swing paying for a child's menu meal, as necessary. A roomette is still $300 additional (for our one-way journey), which is still kind of steep. I'm glad to hear that they WILL let me book into one (just not online), so I will definitely consider it. I will either commit to it before we leave, or will try for an upgrade once on board.

When we got off the train last year, me, a 4 year old, and a 1 year old, after 41 hours on the train, in the family bedroom, 1:something AM, seven hours late, my absolute first thought was: I'm never traveling any other way again. So I totally get how nice that sleeper was! I'm not sure how a roomette would compare; they seem in my memory somewhat cramped, though of course we could spend a lot of time in the lounge cars.

Thanks for all the information about electrical outlets.

 

[XNWA]

I'm taking two little kids and our personal electronics on the Coast Starlight, from Seattle to Simi Valley, in a couple of weeks. We're riding coach, and I'm guessing we'll need some battery charges (DVD player and cell phone). I gather there are a couple of outlets in some of the coach cars? Will I get a chance to choose our seats, and if I do, where should I be looking and choosing? Where else might we find outlets?
If we can't charge our distraction-devices we'll live, but it'd sure be nice. Last year we took the same trip, but had a family bedroom... quite nice! Alas, out of my pricerange this year (also, sold out for the dates we wanted, though there are standard bedrooms available; it appears I can't book a roomette for an adult and two children online- anyone know if that's fudgeable, if the kids are really little (5 and 2, in my case)?)

Thanks for any help on these questions, or other pointers you might give!

-Q

I rode the Cresent last Saturday in coach and each seat had 2 electical outlets.

 

[Guest]

I rode the Cresent last Saturday in coach and each seat had 2 electical outlets.

Unfortunately, that uses single level equipment, not superliners.

 

[Eris]

Well, I went ahead and booked a roomette by calling USA-RAIL- y'all were right, they let me book it with my two littles no problem, and I think we'll be a lot more comfortable, even if it's a bit cramped.

 

[XNWA]

I rode the Cresent last Saturday in coach and each seat had 2 electical outlets.

Unfortunately, that uses single level equipment, not superliners.

Why are not superliners equipped the same, are they not newer?

 

[AlanB]

I rode the Cresent last Saturday in coach and each seat had 2 electical outlets.

Unfortunately, that uses single level equipment, not superliners.

Why are not superliners equipped the same, are they not newer?

Neither the Amfleet II's nor the Superliners were built with electrical outlets at every seat. For the last few years, as cars go through the rebuilding program, outlets are being added. But those cars are few and far between. The odds of getting a car with outlets at every seat are not good at this time.

 

[XNWA]

I rode the Cresent last Saturday in coach and each seat had 2 electical outlets.

Unfortunately, that uses single level equipment, not superliners.

Why are not superliners equipped the same, are they not newer?

Neither the Amfleet II's nor the Superliners were built with electrical outlets at every seat. For the last few years, as cars go through the rebuilding program, outlets are being added. But those cars are few and far between. The odds of getting a car with outlets at every seat are not good at this time.

AlanB, guess we are just lucky rideing on the Cresent in the south having the 2 outlets.

 

[AmtrakCrescent20]

AlanB, guess we are just lucky rideing on the Cresent in the south having the 2 outlets.

I beleive that there are many more Amfleet II's rebuilt than there are Superliners. The Amflt II rebuild has been going on for a much longer time, as the Superliner rebuild started with the EB "upgrade". Every time I ride the Crescent it seems that at least 50% of the coaches are refurbished

 

[AmtrakFan]

I don't any of the refurbished Superliner Coaches got elertrical outlets at every seat. Maybe I am wrong but last time I was in one 35004 to be exact they didn't have one and that refurbished and in IVb.

 

[Guest]

If I am not mistaken (I could be), the Amfleet 1s in regional service received outlets at most seats during the "Acela" branding. The paint was lost, the outlets weren't. Although I rarely use Amfleet 1s these days, I remember trying to not sit in the coaches with the red seats because you didn't get an outlet.

 

[AlanB]

I don't any of the refurbished Superliner Coaches got elertrical outlets at every seat. Maybe I am wrong but last time I was in one 35004 to be exact they didn't have one and that refurbished and in IVb.

I don't know numbers, but I have seen a few reports of people finding a Superliner coach that was wired at every seat. Again, there aren't many of them, but there are at least a few.

 

[Torgo90]

At least one coach on Coast Starlight #11 (3/16/2007) had power at each seat.

 

[Guest]

At least one Superliner coach last year at Easter on the #59 had outlets at each seat.