Sleeper accommodation discussion

[John Santos]

Some people can sleep easily on trains and some can not. I think most people are in the middle. So it depends

I've only been in lower level Superliner roomettes a couple of times. It's a mixed bag; it is nice to be close to multiple bathrooms and the shower, and easier to get on and off at stations for a short walk (or a very long walk if you get stuck in Winnemucca for 3 hours because your crew has timed out and the replacement crew had a really late arrival and needs to get their sleep in!) but you do have to go up stairs to go to the diner or lounge car. I rarely need to call the attendant, but it seems a little easier to call them or get their attention on the upper level.

I haven't found a noticeable difference in the ride quality. I think it depends more on the track quality than on the level, though being over the wheels is supposed to be slightly rougher than in the middle of the car. The four lower level roomettes are closer to the middle than most of the upper level roomettes. I think they are directly under roomettes 1-4, closest to the middle, so should be smoother than 9 & 10 at the end of the top level. Maybe it sways more up top, but I haven't really noticed.

The view is definitely better on the upper level, but it is easier to get to the door/vestibule area on the lower level, where you can look out the windows on both sides, and there isn't usually a crowd except at or near major stops.

One time on the EB going west, I was in #14, next to the family bedroom which had a mom and 3 rambunctious (noisy and talkative but generally well-behaved kids) and by 9PM I was getting worried about the noise, but they quieted down before 10 and I didn't hear a peep out of them all night. They got off somewhere in Montana (while I was asleep) and so it was dead quiet the rest of the way.

Finally, I don't get why someone would change from a SL lower level to a VL... ALL the rooms on a VL are on the lower level!

 

[JulieLovesCars]

I'm going to Washington on a Superliner Amtrak and was assigned room 14 roomette.
But I immediately called Amtrak and switched to a Viewliner and got room 8.
I paid a tad more but Youtube videos from past riders say the lower level of the Superliner sucks.
You can hear residents conversations, you get more bumps on the train and it's not a smooth ride.
Does anyone agree? Should I have switched my reservation?

I just got off the CZ and was in roomette 11 on the bottom level. There's not much foot traffic on the lower level because nobody's there except anybody staying on that level. I liked being close to the bathrooms and the shower. I didn't have much trouble walking on the lower level because it doesn't seem to sway as much. I had a lot of trouble walking down the hallways on the upper level going to the dining car.

They initially booked me in roomette 14 and I knew that was right next to the family bedroom. I asked AGR to move me and I'm glad they did because there was a family of seven in the family bedroom. There was somebody in the roomette next to mine but I did not hear a peep from them.

I don't know if it's quieter on the upper level than it is on the bottom level. I felt a little more isolated on the bottom level and I like that. I'm a loner.

I'm going east on the CZ this week and have the same roomette for the trip back.

Do they ever clean the roomettes beyond clean sheets? Mine certainly hadn't been cleaned.

 

[MARC Rider]

Even though the viewliner has decent storage you may need extra storage. The superliner has downstair storage.

That's assuming the downstairs luggage racks aren't full when you board.

 

[Cal]

I'm going to Washington on a Superliner Amtrak and was assigned room 14 roomette.
But I immediately called Amtrak and switched to a Viewliner and got room 8.
I paid a tad more but Youtube videos from past riders say the lower level of the Superliner sucks.
You can hear residents conversations, you get more bumps on the train and it's not a smooth ride.
Does anyone agree? Should I have switched my reservation?

I haven't had a problem with the downstairs roomettes. Hearing residents conversations is most prevalent in the bedrooms IMO, as the divider is quite thin. Never had an issue with roomettes. And never had any notable issues with ride quality.

Finally, I don't get why someone would change from a SL lower level to a VL... ALL the rooms on a VL are on the lower level!

Viewliner roomettes, unless you are adamantly against the restroom, as much better IMO. In the upper bunk you can actually sit up straight and you have a window. Plus the extra luggage storage.

The view is definitely better on the upper level

One thing I like doing is just looking at the track flow past, especially when going over switches at higher speeds. There's something very simple and enjoyable about it. And it's much easier to do on the lower level.

 

[Kbyrdleroydogg]

Some people can sleep easily on trains and some can not. I think most people are in the middle. So it depends

I've only been in lower level Superliner roomettes a couple of times. It's a mixed bag; it is nice to be close to multiple bathrooms and the shower, and easier to get on and off at stations for a short walk (or a very long walk if you get stuck in Winnemucca for 3 hours because your crew has timed out and the replacement crew had a really late arrival and needs to get their sleep in!) but you do have to go up stairs to go to the diner or lounge car. I rarely need to call the attendant, but it seems a little easier to call them or get their attention on the upper level.

I haven't found a noticeable difference in the ride quality. I think it depends more on the track quality than on the level, though being over the wheels is supposed to be slightly rougher than in the middle of the car. The four lower level roomettes are closer to the middle than most of the upper level roomettes. I think they are directly under roomettes 1-4, closest to the middle, so should be smoother than 9 & 10 at the end of the top level. Maybe it sways more up top, but I haven't really noticed.

The view is definitely better on the upper level, but it is easier to get to the door/vestibule area on the lower level, where you can look out the windows on both sides, and there isn't usually a crowd except at or near major stops.

One time on the EB going west, I was in #14, next to the family bedroom which had a mom and 3 rambunctious (noisy and talkative but generally well-behaved kids) and by 9PM I was getting worried about the noise, but they quieted down before 10 and I didn't hear a peep out of them all night. They got off somewhere in Montana (while I was asleep) and so it was dead quiet the rest of the way.

Finally, I don't get why someone would change from a SL lower level to a VL... ALL the rooms on a VL are on the lower level!

The other Superliner trains going to WAS were more expensive or all roomettes were booked. I always preferred the Viewliner because of the upper bunk and its window where you feel you are above the stations that go buy like on a Superliner.

 

[railiner]

We've discussed many times the pro's and con's of Superliner upper level versus lower level.
Being dead center, and low in a railroad car, a bus, or a ship affords the smoothest ride. The tradeoff in the Superliner is that you are not as isolated from road noise...the tracks, loose gravel, etc. OTOH, as mentioned, their is less "thru traffic" on the lower level, except when passengers are boarding or leaving.
The view is better on the upper level, the windows don't get as dirty, although you can sometimes clean your own lower level window at longer station stops

 

[joelkfla]

Found a new use for gaffer's tape, the Amtrak rider's best MacGyvering tool.

In the VL1 H-room, there's a closet at the head of the bed. The closet door wouldn't close, so the little light inside was always on. I taped down the little refrigerator-type light switch, and then taped the door shut, with a gap of about half an inch. But this car rides so roughly (as confirmed by SCA Patrick) that the tape came loose and the switch popped out in the middle of the night, leaving the light shining through the gap directly onto my face. Fortunately, my trusty roll of gaffers tape was in my backpack within reach, so I tore off some long strips and taped all along the edge of the door to block the light.

Thank goodness for gaffers tape!

 

[JRR]

Found a new use for gaffer's tape, the Amtrak rider's best MacGyvering tool.

In the VL1 H-room, there's a closet at the head of the bed. The closet door wouldn't close, so the little light inside was always on. I taped down the little refrigerator-type light switch, and then taped the door shut, with a gap of about half an inch. But this car rides so roughly (as confirmed by SCA Patrick) that the tape came loose and the switch popped out in the middle of the night, leaving the light shining through the gap directly onto my face. Fortunately, my trusty roll of gaffers tape was in my backpack within reach, so I tore off some long strips and taped all along the edge of the door to block the light.

Thank goodness for gaffers tape!

This summer in a bedroom on the SSL, the partition between the rooms was so loose I was able to stuff a paperback book into the gap and silence the unbearable noise. The doorstop I always carry to stop rattles wasn’t big enough!

 

[UhClem]

On the Silver Meteor about a week ago, the VL2 roomette door would rattle in the frame near the trash door. At first I stuffed some of the curtain in the gap, but discovered that a coffee cup lid worked better. Have used the wash cloth to dampen a rattling sink on a VL1 last year. We should compile a list.

 

[Eric in East County]

Someone really needs to compile a “Survivalist’s Guide for Amtrak Riders.” Not only should it include little tips for making quick fixes to those little annoyances encountered in a bedroom or roomette (doors that rattle or won’t stay shut, lights that don’t turn off, etc.) but also some of the hints and suggestions that have been shared in other threads: how soon to book reservations, which sleeping car to request, which bedroom or roomette to request, essential items to have while traveling (gaffer’s tape, disinfecting wet wipes, first aid items, etc.), some idea of the amounts of the cash vouchers Amtrak Customer Relations typically doles out in compensation for such inconveniences as a bedroom toilet or air conditioning system that doesn’t work, trains that are cancelled at the last minute, reservations that are unexpectedly changed or cancelled by Amtrak at the last minute, etc. Such a guide would be worth it’s weight in gold!

 

[flitcraft]

In my recent experience this past year, having no functioning toilets in the sleeping car resulted not in points but in cash vouchers. We got $500 for a two overnight trip with a bedroom and roomette (3 passengers) and $400 for a different two overnight trip with 2 passengers in a bedroom. I suspect that there is a preset metric on compensation, which might be a function of what kind of room or seat you had on the trip. Candidly, the vouchers are probably worth more than whatever points might be offered. And, of course, this was via Customer Relations, not Customer Service.

 

[joelkfla]

On the Silver Meteor about a week ago, the VL2 roomette door would rattle in the frame near the trash door. At first I stuffed some of the curtain in the gap, but discovered that a coffee cup lid worked better. Have used the wash cloth to dampen a rattling sink on a VL1 last year. We should compile a list.

I used an Amtrak hand towel. If it's not thick enough, just fold it as many times as needed.

 

[dlagrua]

Here are our tips for sleeper travel. For expected rattles, take along a package of carpenters wedges, some bubble wrap and some gaffers tape ( basically duct tape with a non permanent adhesive). Optional items; a small bar of soap, shampoo, extension cord, flashlight and an LED night light. Why the flashlight? On one trip the bathroom light did not work so we "showered by flashlight" placed on the towel shelf.

 

[Eric in East County]

Why the flashlight? On one trip the bathroom light did not work so we "showered by flashlight" placed on the towel shelf.

A small flashlight is one of our travel essentials, too.

 

[Rasputin]

A small flashlight is one of our travel essentials, too.

A good point. A flashlight is a great thing to have and could be a lifesaver in an emergency during the night (as long as you can find it). I always have one in my backpack which I keep in the roomette

 

[Aarem]

I am trying to decide between a bedroom vs. a roomette. I understand that bedrooms have the bathroom/shower inside the room, but not the roomette. Also Amtrak says that the bedroom is twice the space of the roomette. However, what I am trying to understand is if there is a difference in the sleeping arrangements of a bedroom, vs. a roomette. I find the upper bunk of a roomette quite uncomfortable nowadays (thoguh I last used it in 2019), and I have never been in an Amtrak bedroom. I guess I am trying to figure out if it is worth the extra cost on the Eastbound CZ.

 

[danasgoodstuff]

My wife and I were able to both sleep in the lower bunk in a bedroom, it's quite wide when pulled out. Also, it's easier to have one sleeping and one not if you're on different schedules.

 

[Chatter163]

I am trying to decide between a bedroom vs. a roomette. I understand that bedrooms have the bathroom/shower inside the room, but not the roomette. Also Amtrak says that the bedroom is twice the space of the roomette. However, what I am trying to understand is if there is a difference in the sleeping arrangements of a bedroom, vs. a roomette. I find the upper bunk of a roomette quite uncomfortable nowadays (thoguh I last used it in 2019), and I have never been in an Amtrak bedroom. I guess I am trying to figure out if it is worth the extra cost on the Eastbound CZ.

Yes, it certainly is, but you’ll never be able to truly tell unless you do so yourself. Don’t rely on the subjective opinions of others, whose thought process and circumstances may be different from your own.

 

[Widfara]

I am 6' 6" and "robusto", and 74 years old, and the beds on the Viewliner roomettes are too small for me. The Superliner roomettes's are okay, but the Viewliner bed narrows down at the foot, and I hit things with my feet when turning over. So, as I have the means, I decided to get bedrooms on the Viewliners for my upcoming trip in March. I have a roomette on the eaglette going up, bedrooms on the Cardinal and for the return, bedrooms on both the Lake Shore Limited, and the eaglette (roomettes sold out for that date, already, apparently.

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

I am 6' 6" and "robusto", and 74 years old, and the beds on the Viewliner roomettes are too small for me. The Superliner roomettes's are okay, but the Viewliner bed narrows down at the foot, and I hit things with my feet when turning over. So, as I have the means, I decided to get bedrooms on the Viewliners for my upcoming trip in March. I have a roomette on the eaglette going up, bedrooms on the Cardinal and for the return, bedrooms on both the Lake Shore Limited, and the eaglette (roomettes sold out for that date, already, apparently.

When I travel in a viewliner roomette, (also 6’6”) I remove the seat back from the wall. Velcro on the bottom, hooks on the top. The mess behind the seat back can be impressive. I then put the seat back in the luggage hole above the hallway. This way I can kind-of fit into the 6’2” bed. Using the top bunk will also give you better space, but at my age the flexibility is a bit of an issue sometimes.

 

[Aarem]

My wife and I were able to both sleep in the lower bunk in a bedroom, it's quite wide when pulled out. Also, it's easier to have one sleeping and one not if you're on different schedules.

Thank you for this information! This is very helpful.

Yes, it certainly is, but you’ll never be able to truly tell unless you do so yourself. Don’t rely on the subjective opinions of others, whose thought process and circumstances may be different from your own.

Yes, indeed, thanks very much for this point!

 

[Rasputin]

Yes, it certainly is, but you’ll never be able to truly tell unless you do so yourself. Don’t rely on the subjective opinions of others, whose thought process and circumstances may be different from your own.

That is great advice. My wife and I are long-time roomette customers. We have had friends constantly tell us, "Once you try a bedroom, you will never go back." Well, we have tried bedrooms from time to time and they were fine but we have gone back to roomettes many times because they are often much more affordable for us than a bedroom. That is our subjective opinion.

 

[Aarem]

I got a roomette 632 #3, any thoughts on this?

 

[Widfara]

That is great advice. My wife and I are long-time roomette customers. We have had friends constantly tell us, "Once you try a bedroom, you will never go back." Well, we have tried bedrooms from time to time and they were fine but we have gone back to roomettes many times because they are often much more affordable for us than a bedroom. That is our subjective opinion.

Certainly more affordable, but I just don't fit in a Viewliner roomette, and since I have no little birds to buy worms for, I have the money.

 

[cassie225]

I have tried roomettes on short trips alone and feel bundled in so I don’t think I could do an overnight. I love bedrooms because they don’t make me feel as claustrophobic, They are extremely expensive from when I first started to ride trains and if you have ever ridden in the H room it is awesome. But you must decide for yourself what you like and can handle.