Mailliw
OBS Chief
Which is more comfortable to sleep in parallel berths (like in a roomette) or perpendicular (like in a bedroom)? Which design allows for more berths in the sleeping car? Are there any differences in safety?
I prefer parallel orientation like in a roomette. In fact that often rocks me to sleep even when I intended to be awake. The most efficient conventional design would probably involve multi-level open berths as seen in other countries. The most efficient single-level sleeper density would probably be herringbone style divided lounge pods like on airlines. I suppose the holy grail of sleeper efficiency would be some sort of multi-level herringbone design. That would probably require an expensive niche solution for the initial roll-out but if it managed to live up to the promise it might result in the best fare recovery. The least safe orientation would probably be head-first, but other than it probably doesn't matter too much.Which is more comfortable to sleep in parallel berths (like in a roomette) or perpendicular (like in a bedroom)? Which design allows for more berths in the sleeping car? Are there any differences in safety?
I can assure you it is no better in a bedroom on the City near the front of the train. That track is some rough.I think the last time I slept perpendicular was in the Iowa Pacific Tail car on the back of the city of New Orleans. Being in a single level car, at the very back of a superliner trainset on CN track? I’m not going to blame the orientation of the bed for my lack of sleep! Haha.
Personally, I prefer parallel, feet first.
If you are berthed parallel, I was taught to always bunk feet towards direction of travel.. That way in case the train derails or goes into emergency, your feet will absorb the impact much easier than your head.
Pullman used to have an accommodation called "Duplex Single Room" that were perpendicular...they did have a sink and toilet in the room, and saved space with their upper and lower offset duplex layout. Although I don't believe them filling an entire car...they were mixed in with other types of rooms.@sttom got me thinking (a very dangerous thing to do).
A new sleeper car floor plan where the roomettes are basically just like the bedrooms, but much narrower, by removing the in-room toilet and extra chair. There might be some space efficiency by having the hall run down the side for the entire length, and not having that jog-to-center in the middle of the car.
Of course, this will upset all the parallel loving passengers.
@sttom got me thinking (a very dangerous thing to do).
A new sleeper car floor plan where the roomettes are basically just like the bedrooms, but much narrower, by removing the in-room toilet and extra chair. There might be some space efficiency by having the hall run down the side for the entire length, and not having that jog-to-center in the middle of the car.
Of course, this will upset all the parallel loving passengers.
On the topic of a duplex room, I found this a while back that talks about it.Pullman used to have an accommodation called "Duplex Single Room" that were perpendicular...they did have a sink and toilet in the room, and saved space with their upper and lower offset duplex layout. Although I don't believe them filling an entire car...they were mixed in with other types of rooms.
These were priced just above a standard roomette, and below a double bedroom...
Here's some more....On the topic of a duplex room, I found this a while back that talks about it.
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/classic/CARdwgs11.html
The Pennsylvania had full cars of those I believe. I think they ran on the Broadway. They were an ingenious offset design.Pullman used to have an accommodation called "Duplex Single Room" that were perpendicular...they did have a sink and toilet in the room, and saved space with their upper and lower offset duplex layout. Although I don't believe them filling an entire car...they were mixed in with other types of rooms.
These were priced just above a standard roomette, and below a double bedroom...
Correct.The Pennsylvania had full cars of those I believe. I think they ran on the Broadway. They were an ingenious offset design.
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