First Time Rider....With A Toddler

[momofone]

Hey everyone. I'm moving on Sunday and taking the Capitol Limited from Chicago's Union Station to Martinsburg, WV. It's a short trip -16 hours- and looks like most of it is evening/overnight. I said I'm a first time rider, but it's more accurate to say that I haven't traveled on the train since I was a little girl. Every time we traveled we had sleeper cars.

I have a special needs two year old and I opted for two coach seats. What is the likelihood that we will get seats together?

At Union Station are there luggage carts or people to help with the luggage? Will the person who takes me to the station be able to come in and help me with my bags/toddler?

Can I check my daughter's car seat or do I have to carry it on?

What is the general atmosphere on the Capitol Limited toward children?

My daughter has never ridden on Amtrak before...any suggestions? I opted NOT to fly, because it's quite restricting and it was very uncomfortable being known as "the lady with the toddler."

Will I be able to get up and move around with my daughter, or is it better to stay in the seat with our belongings?

About how long does baby Benadryl take to kick in? With all the excitement, my daughter will never sleep unless I give her Benadryl. She doesn't take it usually, so for those of you who use it or have used it before, please share your advice.

Just to clarify, I can carry on a stroller/laptop/purse/diaper bag in ADDITION to the two carry ons per person, right?

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I have a special needs two year old and I opted for two coach seats. What is the likelihood that we will get seats together?

I cannot imagine any situation where you will not be seated together. If they have to move people around to make this possible they will.

Can I check my daughter's car seat or do I have to carry it on?

Either is fine, it's up to you. The key issue is if you require assistance to carry it on or off it's best to check it.

What is the general atmosphere on the Capitol Limited toward children?

There are as many opinions about children as there are passengers. Or maybe I just don't fully understand the question? When in doubt just remember that other passengers can avert their eyes but not their ears. So as long as your daughter isn't screaming or running around I would imagine everything will be just fine.

My daughter has never ridden on Amtrak before...any suggestions? I opted NOT to fly, because it's quite restricting and it was very uncomfortable being known as "the lady with the toddler."

I would advise you to bring plenty of things to keep your daughter occupied and some healthy snacks. Other folks will have a long list of items to bring, including duct tape, but I don't think most of that is truly necessary.

Will I be able to get up and move around with my daughter, or is it better to stay in the seat with our belongings?

Entirely up to you.

About how long does baby Benadryl take to kick in? With all the excitement, my daughter will never sleep unless I give her Benadryl. She doesn't take it usually, so for those of you who use it or have used it before, please share your advice.

Don't know about the baby version but for me it takes an hour or two usually.

 

[momofone]

I have a special needs two year old and I opted for two coach seats. What is the likelihood that we will get seats together?

I cannot imagine any situation where you will not be seated together. If they have to move people around to make this possible they will.

Can I check my daughter's car seat or do I have to carry it on?

Either is fine, it's up to you. The key issue is if you require assistance to carry it on or off it's best to check it.

What is the general atmosphere on the Capitol Limited toward children?

There are as many opinions about children as there are passengers. Or maybe I just don't fully understand the question? When in doubt just remember that other passengers can avert their eyes but not their ears. So as long as your daughter isn't screaming or running around I would imagine everything will be just fine.

My daughter has never ridden on Amtrak before...any suggestions? I opted NOT to fly, because it's quite restricting and it was very uncomfortable being known as "the lady with the toddler."

I would advise you to bring plenty of things to keep your daughter occupied and some healthy snacks. Other folks will have a long list of items to bring, including duct tape, but I don't think most of that is truly necessary.

Will I be able to get up and move around with my daughter, or is it better to stay in the seat with our belongings?

Entirely up to you.

About how long does baby Benadryl take to kick in? With all the excitement, my daughter will never sleep unless I give her Benadryl. She doesn't take it usually, so for those of you who use it or have used it before, please share your advice.

Don't know about the baby version but for me it takes an hour or two usually.

Thanks so much for your input. I have decided to check the car seat...I'd like to make things as simple as possible, so that seems like the way to go. Should I wrap it in plastic or anything like that?

Buying Benadryl this afternoon...I want this to be a pleasant train ride for everyone who has to sit near us.

Coloring books, crayons, baby dolls, books, small toys...all a go.

One more question: do coach seats have at least one outlet nearby? If I could plug in my laptop for movies it would be great. Thanks!

 

[Everydaymatters]

One of your questions was if the person who takes you to the station can come in and help you. They can help you up to where they check your tickets, but I don't believe they'll allow them beyond that point.

If you are taking a laptop, I wouldn't recommend leaving it unattended if you go into the lounge car or areas other than your seat.

 

[George Harris]

Depending upon how much stuff you have to carry, you might want to re-think checking the car sseat. there will be plenty of space inside the car for it. Since this in the Capital and runs with Superliner equipment, there will be two levels of seating. The passageways between cars are on the upper level. The restrooms, luggage racks, and doors are on the lower level. In general, priority for the lower level seating is given to the elderly and people with mobility issues, as it avoids the need to climb steps to the upper level. However, if you want to visit the dining car, you must go to the upper level to get there. If you want lower level seating, there should be no problem with getting it. Being handy to the restrooms can be a plus.

Luggage cars or help in Chicago: Somebody else will have to answer that. If it is obvious that you need help, I would expect that it will be offered.

As to atmosphere: It depends upon the people on the train. Generally, it will be somewhat laid back. There will probably be other people with kids of varying ages from infants up on the train, moreso than you would normally find on an airplane. Rowdyness is firmly discouraged on most trains.

Since the Superliners were originally built before "everybody" carried electronics, the outlet issue can be hit or miss. Generally if a car has been through a major refurbishment or major repair, it will have multiple outlets. If not there may be some, but not very many.

Oh, yeah: Train seats have no seatbelts.

 

[BeckysBarn]

At Chicago, there are both Red Caps & luggage carts. If you have someone to help you, the luggage cart may be OK. I prefer the Red Cap, because your luggage (and you) will be taken right to the door of your train car.

 

[coachseats]

We took our toddler on a trip this past summer, one of the trains was on the Capitol Limited. You should have no problem getting two coach seats together especially since you are getting on in Chicago. When you get to the station have a red cap help you with your bags into the station. Small tip is appropriate. Tell him/her that you need assistance in boarding and they will set you up with that and you should be able to board early. I would just take the carseat onto the train with you. Martinsburg, WV is listed on the Amtrak site as NOT having checked luggage available so that means you will have to just take everything with you in the coach car. This is not a problem as there is plenty of storage space. Put nonvaluables like the car seat and clothes downstairs and take valuables up with you to store in the overhead bin by your seats. The red cap can help you with your luggage on and at Martinsburg the conductor or coach attendant can help you get stuff off- just let them know you need help. I agree with the other advice about bringing plenty to keep your daughter busy- maybe a new book or toy- whatever she likes. If she gets restless in the coach seat you can take a walk to the sightseer lounge car where there are booths, couches, and big windows. Our daughter really enjoyed spending time there and making a bit more noise is OK there since no one is trying to sleep. You can eat in the dining car or get something from the snack area in the lower level of the lounge car. Check with your pediatrician about the benadryl so see if they recommend using this for this kind of situation. I think you will have a great trip- by the time you get on in Chicago, get settled, go to the lounge car for eats, and go to bed, then you will wake up in the AM and almost be there! Ask if you have any more questions!

 

[the_traveler]

I personally might consider a sleeper - if you can financially. It provides you more privacy, and includes meals for both of you! (That would be 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts, at least!) And it would also guarantee you an outlet. (Last month, I took a trip and had a sleeper. However, almost all - if not all - the coaches I saw had outlets at every seat.) Another advantage of getting a sleeper is that you can use the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago to wait in!

As said, here are Red Caps to assist you at Union Station.

I don't know if your toddler is under or over 2, but if (s)he has a ticket, you are entitled to 3 checked bags and (technically) 2 carry ons PER PERSON! But there are many things excluded from counting towards the carry on limit. They include

• Purses
• Coats/Sweaters
• Car Seats
• Laptops/ Netbooks
• Strollers
• Pillows
• Etc ...

However, I have never seen this carry on limit strictly enforced!

(Not to say it never is - just that I've never saw it in my many trips.)

 

[momofone]

We took our toddler on a trip this past summer, one of the trains was on the Capitol Limited. You should have no problem getting two coach seats together especially since you are getting on in Chicago. When you get to the station have a red cap help you with your bags into the station. Small tip is appropriate. Tell him/her that you need assistance in boarding and they will set you up with that and you should be able to board early. I would just take the carseat onto the train with you. Martinsburg, WV is listed on the Amtrak site as NOT having checked luggage available so that means you will have to just take everything with you in the coach car. This is not a problem as there is plenty of storage space. Put nonvaluables like the car seat and clothes downstairs and take valuables up with you to store in the overhead bin by your seats. The red cap can help you with your luggage on and at Martinsburg the conductor or coach attendant can help you get stuff off- just let them know you need help. I agree with the other advice about bringing plenty to keep your daughter busy- maybe a new book or toy- whatever she likes. If she gets restless in the coach seat you can take a walk to the sightseer lounge car where there are booths, couches, and big windows. Our daughter really enjoyed spending time there and making a bit more noise is OK there since no one is trying to sleep. You can eat in the dining car or get something from the snack area in the lower level of the lounge car. Check with your pediatrician about the benadryl so see if they recommend using this for this kind of situation. I think you will have a great trip- by the time you get on in Chicago, get settled, go to the lounge car for eats, and go to bed, then you will wake up in the AM and almost be there! Ask if you have any more questions!

I'm confused by what you mean when you say that Martinsburg has no checked luggage available...does this mean I can't check any baggage in Chicago...?

 

[Eric S]

I'm confused by what you mean when you say that Martinsburg has no checked luggage available...does this mean I can't check any baggage in Chicago...?

In order to use checked baggage service on Amtrak, both your departing station (in this case Chicago) and arriving station (in this case Martinsburg) must offer checked baggage service. You will not be able to check bags from Chicago to Martinsburg or from Martinsburg to Chicago. Instead, you will have to carry all baggage on board with you.

 

[momofone]

I'm confused by what you mean when you say that Martinsburg has no checked luggage available...does this mean I can't check any baggage in Chicago...?

In order to use checked baggage service on Amtrak, both your departing station (in this case Chicago) and arriving station (in this case Martinsburg) must offer checked baggage service. You will not be able to check bags from Chicago to Martinsburg or from Martinsburg to Chicago. Instead, you will have to carry all baggage on board with you.

I had no idea....I obviously didn't do my homework. So what happens with the luggage I thought I would be able to check? Will I have to scale it down to two bags per person or is it true that the luggage "restrictions" are pretty lax. Would anyone bat an eye if I lugged on four extra bags...?

 

[sunchaser]

I'm confused by what you mean when you say that Martinsburg has no checked luggage available...does this mean I can't check any baggage in Chicago...?

In order to use checked baggage service on Amtrak, both your departing station (in this case Chicago) and arriving station (in this case Martinsburg) must offer checked baggage service. You will not be able to check bags from Chicago to Martinsburg or from Martinsburg to Chicago. Instead, you will have to carry all baggage on board with you.

I had no idea....I obviously didn't do my homework. So what happens with the luggage I thought I would be able to check? Will I have to scale it down to two bags per person or is it true that the luggage "restrictions" are pretty lax. Would anyone bat an eye if I lugged on four extra bags...?

Welcome to the board!

Amtrak's baggage policy is listed here. Baby stuff & your purse, a laptop bag do not count. Please note it's two carryons per person, so that would be 4 bags. I seriously would check into getting a roomette if you can afford it. You will then be able to let her nap or sleep undisturbed. There's no way to tell if coach would be quiet enough for her to sleep. If the price is too high right now, check with your Conductor after boarding. You may be able to get one at a lower cost. Please check with her Doctor about giving her Benadryl for this reason. You probably won't need it anyway. The train while moving has a gentle swaying motion, similar to a giant rocking chair. Enjoy your trip!

 

[pebbleworm]

I'd spring for a roomette as well- the included meals take some of the sting out of the price, and the privacy is a big help. On the other tentacle, one of my favorite memories is four 2-4 year olds packed in a seat watching Wall-E on a portable DVD player with the sound off on an 8 hour trip. Little kids seem to find each other.