Have never taken a long train trip before

[missellie]

Hello,

I am thinking a of taking the California Zephyr from Sacramento to Chicago next month. The longest train trip I have taken has been from Sacramento to Reno. I really enjoyed it. I will be traveling alone and can only afford a coach seat. Like alot of people I do have lower back pain and tend to get stiff. I am in my fifties, enjoy reading and beautiful scenery. Do you think this trip is for me?

On the trains do they offer t.v. or movies for viewing? Any special hints on what to bring or things to do to make my trip more comfortable. Any and all advice will be appreciated.

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[AmtrakWPK]

Welcome! I am going to move this to the main Amtrak forum, as that will probably get more visibility for your query. I haven't traveled that route myself but I know that many of our members have.

 

[Buildy]

Missellie:

I just got back from that exact trip last week. My answer to you based on my own experience is to book a roomette if you possibly can come up with the extra fare. I found the coach seats very uncomfortable to try to sleep on,and I am 50 yrs old,and don`t even have the trouble with my back,etc. The worst part is they now have emergency lights that are left on all night in coach,and passengers are constantly walking thru the coach cars. The seats feel comfortable at first,but get worse and worse as time goes by in my opinion.

This is a beautiful trip,but two nights in coach would be tough.

I did coach on the one day legs of my trip,that is how I know about those seats. I got about two hours of very fitful sleep on the final leg of my trip,on the Capital Limited...

Also,sleeper class gets more personal help from their car attendent,and meals in the dining car are included in the price.

 

[RailFanLNK]

Welcome MissEllie,

I too, have lower back pain and thats why I like the train over the plane and automobile. I can walk around in the train, almost impossible to do in a plane and can't do in a car. I would bring some anti-imflamtory for your back if it really acts up. Riding and sleeping in coach for two days could be a challenge. Riding in coach wouldn't be for me, but sleeping in coach for two days would. I would try and see if maybe you could upgrade to a sleeper (if there's availability) before Denver. That way you could at least sleep one night horizontilly. My girlfriends daughter curled up on the floor of the train in the lower level coach seating. There was room behind the last row so she laid a blanket down to sleep on and then used another blanket to cover herself. To be in this area, you either need to be ticketed there or have the conductor assign your seat there. (we were assigned there due to the full capacity of the CZ 3 weeks ago) Bring a good book. The last couple of trips I have brought book(s) and thats too many. Just a good book that is definately keep your interest for 48+ hours. Bring a camera, a notebook to journal in (if your into that) earplugs, your own blanket and pillow and......please Febreeze your shoes before the trip, nuttin' like 50 pairs of stinky feet/shoes at bedtime in coach! :lol: Don't expect to be on time, so don't plan anything for the second the train is suppose to be in CHI. The trip itself after UT is awesome, its real good in the Sierra's but absolutely awesome in CO. Make for sure you get off to get some fresh air in Glenwood Springs CO, neat lil' resort town with a cool lil' rail station.

Al

 

[Guest]

They no longer offer movies in the dome/sightseeing lounge car, but they offer to rent you a personal unit that has movies/shows programmed onto it. I don't know how much they cost to rent, but I purchased a personal dvd player before my long trip (they are much cheaper now) and was able to enjoy some entertainment.

Also, coach is tricky traveling by yourself these days. Gone are the days where you could stretch out on two seats. The car attendants used to try to match up single travelers with some discretion, (females with females), but these days it seems anything goes. It's hard enought to sleep two nights on the train in coach, but even more difficult if you are seated next to someone you would rather not share space with. The last time I did this, I was so concerned about my coach mate violating my personal space while he snored away bobbing and weaving, that I barely got any sleep.

On a trip such as this, you can only bring so much of your own food unless you bring a small cooler and even then you will no doubt be eating either in the dining car and/or the lounge car. Either way, the food and drink is expensive and if you tally up your expected expenditures, shelling out some extra money for a sleeper, even if it is for only one night may not seem so out of reach. If you have flexibility with your schedule, book way in advance during a non-holiday, non vacation month, and you may be surprised by the cost.

 

[missellie]

Missellie:
I just got back from that exact trip last week. My answer to you based on my own experience is to book a roomette if you possibly can come up with the extra fare. I found the coach seats very uncomfortable to try to sleep on,and I am 50 yrs old,and don`t even have the trouble with my back,etc. The worst part is they now have emergency lights that are left on all night in coach,and passengers are constantly walking thru the coach cars. The seats feel comfortable at first,but get worse and worse as time goes by in my opinion.

This is a beautiful trip,but two nights in coach would be tough.

I did coach on the one day legs of my trip,that is how I know about those seats. I got about two hours of very fitful sleep on the final leg of my trip,on the Capital Limited...

Also,sleeper class gets more personal help from their car attendent,and meals in the dining car are included in the price.

Thanks to everyone for the info. I am am traveling for a wedding and the rooms are now all booked. For this event I believe I will go ahead and fly. But, I think I will save my money and still make the trip again later with a room. I so much want to see the country by rail. Thank you everyone again for your in put.

Ellen