Riding Amtrak from NY to Cali

[Noora]

So this will be my first time taking a train, not including the subway. I'm gonna taking it alone, and I'm an 18 year old girl who hasn't had to do anything alone yet, so the idea of spending like 3 days on a train by myself sounds not so fun. Plus, I'm kinda a compulsive planner so I have a bunch of questions for the Amtrak gods or whatever you experienced riders would like to be called. Now I'm used to planes so bare with me please.

Question 1: I'm going from Penn Station, New York to Union Station, California. I'd like to be able to use my laptop since it's a three day trip, but I have a regular reserved coach seat. Does the fact that I'm not on the lower level mean that the odds of having an outlet are against me?

Question 2: This one is about bathrooms. I read on the Amtrak site that only the lower level has a restroom area. Does this mean upper level has to hold it? if so then that's a cruel and unusual punishment.

In all seriousness though, would I just have to go down to the lower level to use the restroom? I always thought it was like on planes and they don't allow you to leave your class or level.

Question 3 (last one): This one is about the whole food thing. Now I've pretty much figured that this part isn't like planes and they don't have people with big carts serving the food, so around where would the dinning area or whatever be? Is this also on the lower level?

Apologies for all the questions guys. I wish I could go with the flow or whatever, but I can't help myself I like to know what to expect and I adore planning.

Thanks in advance for your time!

 

[Texan Eagle]

Question 1: I'm going from Penn Station, New York to Union Station, California. I'd like to be able to use my laptop since it's a three day trip, but I have a regular reserved coach seat. Does the fact that I'm not on the lower level mean that the odds of having an outlet are against me?

Union Station, Los Angeles, California? You did not mention the city.

Remember there is no direct train from New York to California. You will have to change train in Chicago. From New York to Chicago you can either take the Lake Shore Limited or Cardinal, or take a Northeast Regional to Washington DC and Capitol Limited to Chicago. West of Chicago you have option of Southwest Chief or Texas Eagle. Which combination have you booked?

In any case, Upper level or lower level coach should not make a difference. There are power outlets on both levels, but remember, no Wifi. So if you need internet access, you need to bring your own USB internet dongle.

Question 2: This one is about bathrooms. I read on the Amtrak site that only the lower level has a restroom area. Does this mean upper level has to hold it? if so then that's a cruel and unusual punishment.

In all seriousness though, would I just have to go down to the lower level to use the restroom? I always thought it was like on planes and they don't allow you to leave your class or level.

Yes, all restrooms for coach passengers are on lower level. You are free to go up and down between the levels as many times as you want to. Think of it as a double deck bus, not an airplane where you cannot go to other sections.

Question 3 (last one): This one is about the whole food thing. Now I've pretty much figured that this part isn't like planes and they don't have people with big carts serving the food, so around where would the dinning area or whatever be? Is this also on the lower level?

There is a full-fledged separate Dining Car with seating on Upper Level, In addition one of the cars will have a Cafe/Shop selling snacks and drinks on the lower level.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

So this will be my first time taking a train, not including the subway. I'm gonna taking it alone, and I'm an 18 year old girl who hasn't had to do anything alone yet, so the idea of spending like 3 days on a train by myself sounds not so fun. Plus, I'm kinda a compulsive planner so I have a bunch of questions for the Amtrak gods or whatever you experienced riders would like to be called. Now I'm used to planes so bare with me please.

Question 1: I'm going from Penn Station, New York to Union Station, California. I'd like to be able to use my laptop since it's a three day trip, but I have a regular reserved coach seat. Does the fact that I'm not on the lower level mean that the odds of having an outlet are against me?

Question 2: This one is about bathrooms. I read on the Amtrak site that only the lower level has a restroom area. Does this mean upper level has to hold it? if so then that's a cruel and unusual punishment.

In all seriousness though, would I just have to go down to the lower level to use the restroom? I always thought it was like on planes and they don't allow you to leave your class or level.

Question 3 (last one): This one is about the whole food thing. Now I've pretty much figured that this part isn't like planes and they don't have people with big carts serving the food, so around where would the dinning area or whatever be? Is this also on the lower level?

Apologies for all the questions guys. I wish I could go with the flow or whatever, but I can't help myself I like to know what to expect and I adore planning.

Thanks in advance for your time!

Which train are you taking? From where to where? You do not mention you origin and destination. Please respond and provide more information.

1. You should have an outlet by your seat. No Wi-Fi.

2. You can walk around as much as you like, but Coach passengers cannot enter Sleepers. You would probably be surprised at the freedom you have on a train.

3. It is in the Diner or Cafe/Lounge. The Diner serves full meals for high prices, the Cafe/Lounge serves fast food for prices that are too high for the product. Diner has great value for dinner.

Consider upgrading to Sleeper. Use http://biketrain.net...trak/amSnag.php to search for cheaper fares. Great site!

Don't use your laptp too much, it's hard and tiring to do so on a moving train. Same with reading. Enjoy the scenery.

See this for info about accomodations: http://biketrain.net...trak/amSnag.php

Expect huge delays. Don't go for same day connections if possible. Use http://www.dixielandsoftware.com/

Don't expect very good service. Sleeper attendants seem nicer than Coach attendants, maybe because the latter has to take care of more passengers.

Please wear close-toed shoes when walking around the train. It is very easy to injure oneself.

Once you take the train, then if you can get past poor reliability, you'll always yearn to come back!

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Oh yes, here is an Amtrak Coach seat. As you can see it is huge:

More pics:

http://www.trainweb.org/amtrakonline/abr25090seats.jpg

http://www.trainweb.org/amtrakonline/abr25090seats2.jpg

 

[Noora]

Sorry! It says Cardinal and Southwest Chief. Does that help? Sorry I'm really new at this whole thing and my brother helped me book it so I'm not entire sure what info is important.

 

[Noora]

Which train are you taking? From where to where? You do not mention you origin and destination. Please respond and provide more information.

1. You should have an outlet by your seat. No Wi-Fi.

2. You can walk around as much as you like, but Coach passengers cannot enter Sleepers. You would probably be surprised at the freedom you have on a train.

3. It is in the Diner or Cafe/Lounge. The Diner serves full meals for high prices, the Cafe/Lounge serves fast food for prices that are too high for the product. Diner has great value for dinner.

Consider upgrading to Sleeper. Use http://biketrain.net...trak/amSnag.php to search for cheaper fares. Great site!

Don't use your laptp too much, it's hard and tiring to do so on a moving train. Same with reading. Enjoy the scenery.

See this for info about accomodations: http://biketrain.net...trak/amSnag.php

Expect huge delays. Don't go for same day connections if possible. Use http://www.dixielandsoftware.com/

Don't expect very good service. Sleeper attendants seem nicer than Coach attendants, maybe because the latter has to take care of more passengers.

Please wear close-toed shoes when walking around the train. It is very easy to injure oneself.

Once you take the train, then if you can get past poor reliability, you'll always yearn to come back!

Origin is New York, New York and destination is Los Angeles, California. It says I'll be taking the 51 Cardinal at Penn Station and then the 3 Southwest Chief.

Does this mean I'll have to get up and change trains? I'm really worried about getting lost and missing the train.

 

[cirdan]

Enjoy your trip. the Southwest Chief passes through some of the most incredible scenery. It's an experience of a lifetime.

Go to the lounge/sightseeing car. It has bigger windows and you don't need to twist your neck tzo look sideways. It's also a great place to meet and chat with fellow passengers.

In contrast to short flights or bus trips, being on the same train for so long means you really get to know some of your fellow passengers (if you choose to) and can have great fun.

Train travel isn't at all that hard once you get used to it. my personal advice is to try and upgrade to sleeper (roomette). It gives you a small room you can retire to when you want to be alone. You sleep better, and meals are included (which relativizes the cost).

You will need to change trains in Chicago. In case the incoming train is late, it is a good idea to have some spare time there. It's very easy to find your train. It's much smaller and simpler than your average airport. If you're in sleeper category can also use the Metropolitan lounge there, where you can sit down and have free tea or coffee and they will look after your luggage in case you want to go outside.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Apologies for all the questions guys. I wish I could go with the flow or whatever, but I can't help myself I like to know what to expect and I adore planning.

I tend to be one to go with the flow, but only after I've researched the "new" thing to death. :giggle:

I did a lot of research/questioning before my 1st trip last year (and I'm old enough to be your grandmom), then relaxed and went with the flow on my trip.

Have fun.

 

[Tracktwentynine]

Welcome, Noora.

On your trip from New York (Penn Station) to Los Angeles (Union Station), you will see lots of great scenery, and perhaps meet some nice people.

You've indicated that you're taking the Cardinal and the Southwest Chief. These trains use different cars, so there are some differences to discuss.

New York Penn Station

New York's Penn Station is a big complex. Just follow signs to the Amtrak ticketing area. You'll see a massive display board showing train departures. You should look for your train number #51 and its destination (Chicago). They will announce it, and boarding will probably begin 15-20 minutes prior to departure.

For coach passengers, there's an exclusive waiting area with ample seating. You have to show your ticket to get in, so that keeps out the regular commuters and homeless people. This area is located just off the main hall of Penn Station. If you're facing the big train departures board and the ticket counters are on your left, then the coach waiting area will be on your right. There's a booth for Amtrak police in the main hall. If you can't find the coach waiting area, just ask one of them to direct you.

Cardinal

The Cardinal uses single-level railcars. These cars only have one floor. Bathrooms will be located at one end of the car. There are two in each car, across the aisle from each other. There will likely be outlets at each seat.

On the Cardinal, there is no dining car. Instead, the cafe car (which will be toward the front) is divided, with half of the car serving as the cafe (with a walk-up counter) and the other half having table service and more expensive options. Sleeping car passengers get first crack at the table-service half of the car. If you choose the cafe counter option, you can sit at the tables in the rear half of the cafe (first come, first served) or take your food back to your seat.

Your seat will have lots of leg room. You can recline the seatback, just like on an airplane. Additionally, there's a black knob that will raise a support for your legs, so you can recline almost all the way back.

On board, you can go anywhere on the train except the sleeping car. Your ticket won't have an assigned seat, but the conductor might assign you a car. When he checks your ticket, he or she will put a "seat check" above your seat with your destination (Chicago) on it. That will let them know you've already given your ticket and also let them know when to wake you to get off, if necessary. If a seat opens up elsewhere in your car and you want to move, make sure to take your seat check with you.

The Cardinal is typically arranged like this: engine - baggage car - sleeping car - cafe car - coach - coach - coach.

The Cardinal is scheduled to arrive in Chicago at 10:05A. If it's on time, you'll have 5 hours before the Southwest Chief leaves at 3:00P.

Chicago Union Station

When you get off the Cardinal, you will head into Union Station. There's an Amtrak waiting room, and you can stay there if you want. There are a few restaurants scattered around the station. You can also venture out into Chicago. The Sears Tower is only 3 blocks away.

Southwest Chief

Make sure to be back in the waiting room at least 30 minutes prior to departure. Listen for them to call #3, the Southwest Chief, to Los Angeles.

The Chief uses the double-decker cars that have been referred to above. The lower level seats are typically reserved for mobility-impaired passengers and their companions. Everyone else sits upstairs. The passage between cars is on the second level. You'll enter the train on the lower level and then ascend to the second level, where your seat will be located.

There should be an outlet at your seat. Bathrooms are located downstairs, as mentioned before. You can move freely about the train. The only place you're not allowed is the sleeping cars. Remember, the same applies about your seat and seat check as was stated in the Cardinal section.

On the train, there will be a dining car. The dining car offers table service with a waiter. Meals are more expensive and the car is only open during meal times. Before each seating, the staff will come through to offer reservations. The tables in the dining car are on the upper level (the lower level is where the kitchen is).

There's also a lounge car. The lounge has big wrap-around windows on the upper level. None of the seats are reserved. Some have tables. These seats are all first-come, first-served. It's a great place to watch the scenery go by. In that car, downstairs, is the cafe. There are more tables downstairs, along with a counter where you can buy hamburgers and snacks. The cafe is generally open, though it closes so the attendant can take breaks occasionally, and is also closed at night.

The Southwest Chief is generally arranged like this: engines - baggage car - crew dormitory - sleeper - sleeper - dining car - lounge/cafe - coach - coach - coach.

Enjoy your trip! Let us know if you have other questions.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Here are links to info about the Cardinal and the Southwest Chief. On these pages you will find links to the menus onboard these trains.

Cardinal

Southwest Chief

 

[George Harris]

Get an Amtrak schedule book or at the least schedule folders for each train. They are available on line at amtrak.com. go to the tab that says "Timetables" and scroll down the list until you see you train names. Click on it and you will get a pdf of the schedule for the train. Take Swadian's "expect huge delays" with a grain of salt. Keeping to schedule is not a precise act with Amtrak, but normally you will not be too far off. Just don't expect Japanesse style precision where you can with confidence make connections between trains with a scheduled gap of 8 minutes. While taliking schedule keeping: the normal Amtrak schedule has quite a bit of "padding" at sevveral places along the route. That means a scheduled time between two stops well in excess of normal run times. Coming into Chicago, the "pad" is about 25 minutes, which is not really that much due to the potential for delay in the railroad congestion in the Chicago area. Howevee, coming into Los Angeles on the Southwest Chief, there is about one hour of padding. That is, Los Angeles to Fullerton is scheduled to take 35 minutes and Fullerton to Los Angeles is scheduled to take 1 hour 41 minutes. So, if you leave Fullerton on time expect to get into Los Angeles Uning Staion about 1 hour early.

You are going to expierence both ends of Amtrak's long distance passenger trains. The cardinal is slow and takes a somewhat roundabout route. You get the fast run down the Northeast Corridor to Washington DC. Then the more or less normal Eastern long distance train on a main line railroad, in this case Norfolk Southern, to Orange VA where it goes to the very secondary main Buckingham Branch. At Clifton Forge VA you get on the CSX main which will take you across West Virginia and along the Ohio River in eastern Kentucky to Cincinatti OH. From there you will be on CSX secondary main lines to Chicago, with the last few miles being on other railroads, to complex for brief explanations. Out of Chicago, you will be on tracks of BNSF the rest of the way to Los Angeles.

Track and train speeds: Out of New York, you will be on the multiple track electrified Northeast Corridor, speed limit for the Cardinal 100 to 110 mph. Out of Washington DC you will be on the double track CSX line to just past Alexandria VA. From there to Orange, you will be on the NS main that goes to Atlanta, but only as far as Orange VA. It is mostly double track with some stretches of single track, 79 mph speed limt. The Buckingham Branch is single track, speed limit 60 mph with quite a bit on curves that are slower. The CSX main across West Virginia and Kentucky is mostly double track. Don't know the speed limit, but much of it so curvey that speed is limited by curves, anyway. Beautiful scenery if you like the wooded eastern mountains. From Cincinatti, all sinle track, I think 60 mph speed limits. The BNSF: Chicago to just past Knasas City, double track, 79 mph speed limit. Line through Topeka KS, single track, back on the double track for a few miles, then back on single track across Kansas, eastern Colorado and into New Mexico to Albuquerque. Most of this is still 79 mph speed limit, but some may be less. I hear that much of this rides fairly rough. Very few freigth trains on this route. For the most part they follow a low grade route through Amarillo. After Albuquerque you get nack on the BNSF transcontinental double track freight main for the rest of the way to LA. Much of this across New Mexico and Arizona has a 90 mph speed limit for passenger trains and 70 mph for freight trains. Expect to meet lots of fast moving freight trains.

I will leave it to somebody else to talk about scenery.

When things get bouncy and rough on the track, remember this: The limit of safety for track roughness is way beyond the level of comfort, so a rough ride does not mean you are in danger of the train coming off the track.

No seat belts. No need for them. No TSA style theatre. Generally, it is go out to the platform and climb on. Any form of TSA style nonsense would be useless anyway, as there are many stops across the country that have no control on access to the platform of any kind, nor any easy way of creating any. Commonly at these places you are not even asked to show that you have a ticket until after you are on the train. An example: This evening we are going San Francisco to Fesno CA. That means bus across the Bay Bridge to Emeryville station. The bus driver will check and take our ticket for the bus segment. We get off at Emeryville and walk through the station and find a place to stand on the platform. The train comes in, we get on, and at some time before getting to the next stop, the conductor will come by and take our ticket and put the seat check in the clip about the seat. Normally he will scrall on it 2 F in large letters. At Fresno we get off. Geerally we read, look out the window, maybe I will do some work on the laptop, at some point we walk to the Cafe car and get a meal, or mure usually, I walk to the Cafe car and get meals for both of us and come back to the seat. In the reverse direction, our son drops us off at the Fresno station, we walk out onto the platform and get on the train when it pulls in. No fuss, no hassle.

The one thing to remember is that if you are checking anything, you need to do so not less than 30 minutes before train departure. Also, when you pick up checked baggae, they will compare you baggage check with the tag on the bag, so don't misplace the check.

 

[Noora]

Thank you all for so much!!! I really appreciate all the info! I feel a lot better.

I have one last question though

Do they serve vegan meals? I've had a strict vegan diet since I was 5 so now I wouldn't be able to eat anything with meat, pork, fish, gluten or dairy, even if I wanted to because my body has no idea what any of that stuff is lol. I plan on already packing something, but I wanted to at least try some of the food out since it would be my first experience.

Thank you so much for the really detailed replies I honestly have never met anyone group of people as friendly as this, I really wasn't expecting it!

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Thank you all for so much!!! I really appreciate all the info! I feel a lot better.

I have one last question though

Do they serve vegan meals? I've had a strict vegan diet since I was 5 so now I wouldn't be able to eat anything with meat, pork, fish, gluten or dairy, even if I wanted to because my body has no idea what any of that stuff is lol. I plan on already packing something, but I wanted to at least try some of the food out since it would be my first experience.

Thank you so much for the really detailed replies I honestly have never met anyone group of people as friendly as this, I really wasn't expecting it!

Special Menus & Special Dietary Requirements

 

[Noora]

You're an angel! These are gonna be the best three days ever!

 

[MrFSS]

You're an angel! These are gonna be the best three days ever!

Remember, you have to give Amtrak 3 days advance notice for vegan meals.

 

[the_traveler]

Welcome, Noora!

As you have found out, we are a great and informative group. Sure we don't always agree, but you can find that in any disfunctional family. And Amtrak Unlimited (AU) is really one big family from around the globe!

Every year, AU has a get together we call a Gathering. This year the Gathering is being held in Philadelphia in October. Check out the information listed. We would love to meet you. The registration is free, you can do as much or as little as you want and the only cost is for what you do. (Like train fares, food, etc...)

As far as your question about Vegan food, I really don't know, but I think I saw a current thread about that very subject.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Origin is New York, New York and destination is Los Angeles, California. It says I'll be taking the 51 Cardinal at Penn Station and then the 3 Southwest Chief.

Does this mean I'll have to get up and change trains? I'm really worried about getting lost and missing the train.

You'll be taking the Cardinal? I really like this train, but I've only done it in Sleeper. This train has very good scenery but poor on-time performance. You will be taking this train from your start (New York Penn/NYP) to Chicago (CHI). The best scenery is in West Virginia. You will pass through the New River Gorge. You can only pass through this by train, raft, or walking.

The reason you must change trains is mainly because the cars of the Southwest Chief are too high to run into NYP. Chicago has a great station, I'm sure you won't get lost too bad. I was just there a few days ago, and I've been there before, too. Remember that when you get off the train it will be very loud outside. Anything you say will be hard to hear even if you yell. Get off the platform into the station ASAP unless you want to look at more trains.

Great site about the Cardinal: http://www.trainweb.com/routes/route_50.htm

Great site about the SWC, your second train: http://www.trainweb.com/routes/route_3.htm

The Cardinal: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=400136&nseq=28

The SWC: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=400619&nseq=59

If you have any more questions please feel free to post them.

 

[George Harris]

Carry on versus checked baggage:

If you check it, it will not be available until Los Angeles, so do not put anything in it that you will want to get before arriving in LA.

Carryon: Don't know about NYC, but in general the unwritten pollicy seems to be that, if you can get it into the train, you can take it as carryon. Theft does not seem to be a serious problem, but you should keep the easily portable vauables like camer, cell phone, laptops with you, including going to the dining car. (If you are in a sleeper, you can leave them in the room.)

People on the train: usually a fairly laid back and friendly bunch and willing to be helpful. There will still be those who talk loudly with others or on their cell phones and the occasional drunks and rowdies. If you are bothered, complain to a member of the train crew, best to the conductor. Real problem makers can and do find themselves standing alongside the track or sitting in the back of a police car as the train continues on its journey without them. You may be seeing a slice of America that you did not knonw existed.

Eyeshades / earplugs may be a good idea, particularly for daytime naps.

Take a light jacket. Temperatures can vary, and may be too cool for comfort at times.

If you have not been outside the northeast, the sheer expanse of open country can be a shock.

Relax and enjoy the trip. When things go haywire, they will usually in time get un-haywire. Once you get into this stuff and the travel bug bites, this can be the start of a lifetime of new experiences and adventrue.

 

[williamflemming]

So this will be my first time taking a train, not including the subway. I'm gonna taking it alone, and I'm an 18 year old girl who hasn't had to do anything alone yet, so the idea of spending like 3 days on a train by myself sounds not so fun. Plus, I'm kinda a compulsive planner so I have a bunch of questions for the Amtrak gods or whatever you experienced riders would like to be called. Now I'm used to planes so bare with me please.

Question 1: I'm going from Penn Station, New York to Union Station, California. I'd like to be able to use my laptop since it's a three day trip, but I have a regular reserved coach seat. Does the fact that I'm not on the lower level mean that the odds of having an outlet are against me?

Question 2: This one is about bathrooms. I read on the Amtrak site that only the lower level has a restroom area. Does this mean upper level has to hold it? if so then that's a cruel and unusual punishment.

In all seriousness though, would I just have to go down to the lower level to use the restroom? I always thought it was like on planes and they don't allow you to leave your class or level.

Question 3 (last one): This one is about the whole food thing. Now I've pretty much figured that this part isn't like planes and they don't have people with big carts serving the food, so around where would the dinning area or whatever be? Is this also on the lower level?

Apologies for all the questions guys. I wish I could go with the flow or whatever, but I can't help myself I like to know what to expect and I adore planning.

Thanks in advance for your time!

1. There are power outlets on some seats. Meaning probably 2. They have those so when cleaning the train they can plug in vacuum cleaners. Or you could charge the lap top in the bathroom :giggle: (I know some one who did that).

2. No, there is a stairway between upper and lower levels. all the connections between cars are on the upper level. The bottom level is like a basement.

3. You can buy a quick cheap bite from the snack bar on the lower level of the lounge. From the dining car you can get formal meals, though, if not riding in sleeper they can be a bit expensive ($25 dollars for a steak). If you plan on eating meals in the dining car, it some times is just more cost efficient to go sleeper, especially on long haul trains. If you have the money, sleeper is worth it for a 3 day trip. But which ever class of service you ride, Have a great trip!!!!!!!!!

PS If you are going from NY, if you want a treat that sometimes is late you should take the cardinal. Beautiful. I call it the Zephyr of the east.

 

[williamflemming]

Amtrak Unlimited (AU) is really one big family from around the globe!

+1 on that

 

[Noora]

Remember, you have to give Amtrak 3 days advance notice for vegan meals.

Thanks for the info!

Welcome, Noora!

As you have found out, we are a great and informative group. Sure we don't always agree, but you can find that in any disfunctional family. And Amtrak Unlimited (AU) is really one big family from around the globe!

Every year, AU has a get together we call a Gathering. This year the Gathering is being held in Philadelphia in October. Check out the information listed. We would love to meet you. The registration is free, you can do as much or as little as you want and the only cost is for what you do. (Like train fares, food, etc...)

That sounds awesome! I'd love to go!

You'll be taking the Cardinal? I really like this train, but I've only done it in Sleeper. This train has very good scenery but poor on-time performance. You will be taking this train from your start (New York Penn/NYP) to Chicago (CHI). The best scenery is in West Virginia. You will pass through the New River Gorge. You can only pass through this by train, raft, or walking.

The reason you must change trains is mainly because the cars of the Southwest Chief are too high to run into NYP. Chicago has a great station, I'm sure you won't get lost too bad. I was just there a few days ago, and I've been there before, too. Remember that when you get off the train it will be very loud outside. Anything you say will be hard to hear even if you yell. Get off the platform into the station ASAP unless you want to look at more trains.

Great site about the Cardinal: http://www.trainweb....es/route_50.htm

Great site about the SWC, your second train: http://www.trainweb.com/routes/route_3.htm

The Cardinal: http://www.railpictu...=400136&nseq=28

The SWC: http://www.railpictu...=400619&nseq=59

If you have any more questions please feel free to post them.

Thank you for the links! I love being super prepared for new things.

Carry on versus checked baggage:

If you check it, it will not be available until Los Angeles, so do not put anything in it that you will want to get before arriving in LA.

Carryon: Don't know about NYC, but in general the unwritten pollicy seems to be that, if you can get it into the train, you can take it as carryon. Theft does not seem to be a serious problem, but you should keep the easily portable vauables like camer, cell phone, laptops with you, including going to the dining car. (If you are in a sleeper, you can leave them in the room.)

People on the train: usually a fairly laid back and friendly bunch and willing to be helpful. There will still be those who talk loudly with others or on their cell phones and the occasional drunks and rowdies. If you are bothered, complain to a member of the train crew, best to the conductor. Real problem makers can and do find themselves standing alongside the track or sitting in the back of a police car as the train continues on its journey without them. You may be seeing a slice of America that you did not knonw existed.

Eyeshades / earplugs may be a good idea, particularly for daytime naps.

Take a light jacket. Temperatures can vary, and may be too cool for comfort at times.

If you have not been outside the northeast, the sheer expanse of open country can be a shock.

Relax and enjoy the trip. When things go haywire, they will usually in time get un-haywire. Once you get into this stuff and the travel bug bites, this can be the start of a lifetime of new experiences and adventrue.

I have about 4 suitcases so I plan on just shipping it over by mail since I could never carrying all that in a million years lol. Thanks for the advance for the jacket! I would have gone in a t-shirt. I completely forgot about the whole temperature thing lol.

 

[George Harris]

I have about 4 suitcases so I plan on just shipping it over by mail since I could never carrying all that in a million years lol. Thanks for the advance for the jacket! I would have gone in a t-shirt. I completely forgot about the whole temperature thing lol.

You might want to re-think this. Quoting from the back of the national timetable:

The free checked baggage allowance is three pieces per passenger. The maximum weight is 50 pounds (23 kg) and the maximum size is 36"x36"x36" (900x900x900 mm). Three additional bags will be accepted at $10.00 per bag. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to train departure to check your luggage.

I would go for a good bit more than 30 minutes at Penn Station. How are you getting to Penn Station? That might be the problem with your luggage. The other problem might be on the LA end depending upon how you are gettion from the station to where you are going, but I seen none on the train.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I have about 4 suitcases so I plan on just shipping it over by mail since I could never carrying all that in a million years lol. Thanks for the advance for the jacket! I would have gone in a t-shirt. I completely forgot about the whole temperature thing lol.

You might want to re-think this. Quoting from the back of the national timetable:

The free checked baggage allowance is three pieces per passenger. The maximum weight is 50 pounds (23 kg) and the maximum size is 36"x36"x36" (900x900x900 mm). Three additional bags will be accepted at $10.00 per bag. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to train departure to check your luggage.

I would go for a good bit more than 30 minutes at Penn Station. How are you getting to Penn Station? That might be the problem with your luggage. The other problem might be on the LA end depending upon how you are gettion from the station to where you are going, but I seen none on the train.

I would also check some of the bags. Amtrak has a baggage car on both your trains and it's free to check your bags, so you might as well take advantage. Some not-so-important things can and, IMO, should be checked. I've checked some big and hefty bags on Amtrak and I had no problem.

You could also ask for Red Cap service. This service is officialy free but we usually tip them $3. They will come around in motorized carts with seats in front. You can put your bags in the cart and ride it straight to the platform. Some stations don't have carts, but Red Caps can still carry bags for you. If they do this please tip $5.

BTW, I've found shipping stuff over the mail to be a big hassle, so I avoid it as much as possible.

 

[Noora]

I have about 4 suitcases so I plan on just shipping it over by mail since I could never carrying all that in a million years lol. Thanks for the advance for the jacket! I would have gone in a t-shirt. I completely forgot about the whole temperature thing lol.

You might want to re-think this. Quoting from the back of the national timetable:

The free checked baggage allowance is three pieces per passenger. The maximum weight is 50 pounds (23 kg) and the maximum size is 36"x36"x36" (900x900x900 mm). Three additional bags will be accepted at $10.00 per bag. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to train departure to check your luggage.

I would go for a good bit more than 30 minutes at Penn Station. How are you getting to Penn Station? That might be the problem with your luggage. The other problem might be on the LA end depending upon how you are gettion from the station to where you are going, but I seen none on the train.

The free checked baggage allowance sounds good, my only issue is that I'll be traveling allow and the 4 suitcases are pretty big. These aren't include my one carry on. Getting them on the train would be a huge hassle. I'm 5ft tall and 103 pounds. If I even attempt at carrying those I might die in the process lol.

As for how I'll be getting there, I'll be taking a cab there since I live in queens and lugging around a guitar and a carry on suitcase in the subway by myself would totally suck.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I have about 4 suitcases so I plan on just shipping it over by mail since I could never carrying all that in a million years lol. Thanks for the advance for the jacket! I would have gone in a t-shirt. I completely forgot about the whole temperature thing lol.

You might want to re-think this. Quoting from the back of the national timetable:

The free checked baggage allowance is three pieces per passenger. The maximum weight is 50 pounds (23 kg) and the maximum size is 36"x36"x36" (900x900x900 mm). Three additional bags will be accepted at $10.00 per bag. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to train departure to check your luggage.

I would go for a good bit more than 30 minutes at Penn Station. How are you getting to Penn Station? That might be the problem with your luggage. The other problem might be on the LA end depending upon how you are gettion from the station to where you are going, but I seen none on the train.

The free checked baggage allowance sounds good, my only issue is that I'll be traveling allow and the 4 suitcases are pretty big. These aren't include my one carry on. Getting them on the train would be a huge hassle. I'm 5ft tall and 103 pounds. If I even attempt at carrying those I might die in the process lol.

As for how I'll be getting there, I'll be taking a cab there since I live in queens and lugging around a guitar and a carry on suitcase in the subway by myself would totally suck.

A guitar and four huge bags?! What are you going to California for?