Tips for sleeping well on Amtrak

[tomfuller]

Since someone mentioned tonic water, if you sometimes suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome, a can of tonic water (with quinine) will calm your legs. Even if the cafe car is closed, your SCA can get you a can if you say you need it. They don't charge for it since they only use it to make a G&T.

 

[Chatter163]

 

[Dakota 400]

although a nightcap is ok... alcohol can have the reverse effect.

That's what I have read, but, some wine before bed seems to help relax me sufficiently that, on most nights, I quickly go to sleep. I'll sleep 4-5 hours and then awake. Sometimes, then, after a visit to the loo, I'll have trouble going back to sleep. I have wondered if it is due to the residual effects of the alcohol or did I get myself "too awake" by my visit to the bathroom?

I put my glasses, watch, wallet and any small change in my left shoe

I thought I was the only one who did that! I started doing this after one worrisome experience of having the small, loose items changing positions from where I had placed them during the night because of the train's motion. In the cramped conditions of a Roomette with the door closed and the bed in place, it's difficult enough to stand/move, etc., let alone trying to find small items that are where?

Do y’all change into pajamas at night?

Yes. I am more comfortable dressed like that since that is the way I dress at home. Helps to promote sleep, I think. Used to wear a robe when going to the restroom during the night. Stopped doing that. I am properly attired, the robe takes up space in my carry-on, and, if someone sees me and doesn't like it,: then, stop looking.

 

[20th Century Rider]

That's what I have read, but, some wine before bed seems to help relax me sufficiently that, on most nights, I quickly go to sleep. I'll sleep 4-5 hours and then awake. Sometimes, then, after a visit to the loo, I'll have trouble going back to sleep. I have wondered if it is due to the residual effects of the alcohol or did I get myself "too awake" by my visit to the bathroom?



I thought I was the only one who did that! I started doing this after one worrisome experience of having the small, loose items changing positions from where I had placed them during the night because of the train's motion. In the cramped conditions of a Roomette with the door closed and the bed in place, it's difficult enough to stand/move, etc., let alone trying to find small items that are where?



Yes. I am more comfortable dressed like that since that is the way I dress at home. Helps to promote sleep, I think. Used to wear a robe when going to the restroom during the night. Stopped doing that. I am properly attired, the robe takes up space in my carry-on, and, if someone sees me and doesn't like it,: then, stop looking.

A most useful idea for traveling in small cramped spaces is to bring cloth bags or other types of hanging containers that can can be positioned on some kind of hooks or things that project out. Absolutely essential for keeping track of your stuff. I also give the space a complete look over to insure I haven't left anything behind.

RE the shoes... mine don't smell pretty but I do stuff my socks in them at night... or keep them on my feet if it's chilly. By keeping everything organized it has been rare that I lose anything.

Another tip to pass along if you don't do well with opening ketchup sachets etc... a small blunt end kid's scissors do an amazing job of getting you access to things.

In the privacy of my room I take off my shirt and stay cozy under the blanket.

RE the alcohol I do ok with a reasonable drink or two but never too much and I still get a good sleep.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I use my shoe(s) to hold the water bottle(s) at night.

 

[cassie225]

Wow everyone all very good ideas that will help keep me organized on my next trip, the only time I get nervous sleeping on the train is it seems at night they go faster and the train sometimes feels like it’s coming off tracks. Do they speed up at night?

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Wow everyone all very good ideas that will help keep me organized on my next trip, the only time I get nervous sleeping on the train is it seems at night they go faster and the train sometimes feels like it’s coming off tracks. Do they speed up at night?

No, they do not speed up specifically at night. LD trains are limited to 79 mph except in a few places. 79 is the max, but many areas are restricted to lower speeds.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

View attachment 28200

The active ingredient in this is the worst sleep aid I've ever used. It did not promote restful sleep, but did put me in a cloudy half-awake state that could last eight hours or more, and the longer I used it the worse I felt. Diphenhydramine was originally intended as a topical antihistamine and that is where it belongs IMO.

 

[Asher]

I'm okay with sleeping on the train. The only thing that gets me is when the car does that sudden "shimmy" as I call it - a very quick and jolting left and right motion, especially at high speeds!

I’ve felt that. It’s that jolting and then silence like the train just left the tracks that has me hanging on.

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

The bang with quiet is very noticeable if your over the trucks. I do believe it’s a switch that is causing this. Depending on the railroad a switch will force a wheel flange to go in a certain way, by using a guard rail/check rail or a frog with guards. Straight or diverting is the switch purpose. The bang is the wheel hitting the guard rail or check rail that enforce the directions of the wheel at the frog.

You will also experience silence from the rail cars trucks on the transition from/to a curve. The shimmering is occurring as neither flange is in contact with a railhead. Follow by a much smaller bump, as the railcars wheels “leans” into the curve.

High speed rail needs gently curves so the railcars flange are making contact with the railhead. Straight flat track is not ideal for high speed service.

The whole train goes faster at night is a you thing. Your are more relaxed and focused on the noises and bumps occurring when your resting. So the speed seems faster. Try to settle down and refocus yourself during the day time and all those noises will be present waiting for you.

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

Additional you have the hop and shimmering, which is a at grade crossing of a roadway.

Bridges can just be a huge noise maker depending on the structure.

 

[BalmyZephyr]

I sleep poorly in new places and extra poorly on sleeper trains. Motion (lurch and bump) is even more of an issue than noise and light. I always carry an old-school white noise machine and a roll of black photographic tape (amazing tape, doesn't ruin walls but sticks nicely, is reusable a time or two) to secure the edges of the curtains (which are otherwise opaque, thanks for that). In a Bedroom I sleep on the top bunk because hubby gets up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night and I don't. There's a small luggage area up there where I set up my CPAP, noise machine, water bottle, etc. We travel with extension cords but I don't recall needing one for that setup. Half a Benadryl does help but then I'm logy the next day. Two drinks early evening is usually helpful. More than that and you may wake up at 3 AM dehydrated. Basically we take train trips knowing we will be sleep deprived the entire time, but it's worth it. Good luck haha!

 

[scrandal]

My husband and I are new riders this year on Amtrak. My husband has a very hard time sleeping even though we have a room. Do you all have any suggestions to help him pass a peaceful night on the train?

 

[Chatter163]

My husband and I are new riders this year on Amtrak. My husband has a very hard time sleeping even though we have a room. Do you all have any suggestions to help him pass a peaceful night on the train?

Z-quil. I take it on most trips.

 

[Cal]

Maybe bring your own pillow? Amtrak ones aren’t particularly amazing

 

[pennyk]

I do not sleep well at all either. I now bring a small white noise machine with me when I travel and that helps a bit. Also, not sharing a room with anyone helps me sleep.

 

[Bob Dylan]

As a Lifelong Rider of Passenger Trains ( 78 years) I've usually had trouble sleeping the First night in a Sleeper.

This is due to a combination of Excitemenf about the Trip, getting used to the Motions and Noises aboard a Train and the Stops during the night.

By the Second night, and on extended Trips, I have no problem Sleeping Well.

Tips: Meletonin or a Sleep Aide as was said, a Shower,a Sleep Mask, your own pillow and avoid Caffeine after Dinner.

Personally I like to listen to soothing Music and Read a bit, but everyone is not the same so try out different methods.

 

[SarahZ]

I try to get only a few hours of sleep the night before my trip, if possible. That, plus earplugs, wine, and melatonin does the trick.

I still wake up if we stop in a brightly-lit station, or when we go over a hard patch of track, but I can usually fall back asleep pretty easily. I'd say I get about 6 hours of decent sleep.

The second night is much easier, as others have mentioned.

The roomettes tend to be way too warm for me, so I wear light pajama pants and a sleeveless pajama top. I keep slip-on shoes and a sweatshirt near the bed in case I have to get up at night.

Also, I'm normally a side sleeper, but I don't get thrown around as much if I sleep on my back or stomach. I find that helps keep me asleep as well.

 

[dlagrua]

Sleeping on a train takes some getting used to. We began our Amtrak experience taking the Autotrain 20 years ago. It took us a few trips to get a restful nights sleep and to discover the formula. I then resorted to taking Unisom (1/2 tablet) at bedtime and it worked but that is an antihistamine and like Devils Advocate stated, the after-effects at wake up time can be unpleasant and last for a couple of hours. There is a new herbal sleep aid called Relaxium that works pretty well. Bach's Rescue Pastilles can also take the edge off but its works to a lesser degree. No coffee after 6 PM also helps
As for noise, we carry Gaffers tape, bubble wrap and carpenters wedges with us. All three have their place in reducing noise

 

[Heading North]

I hate to miss out on the scenery, but have found that I do best when the room is as dark as possible (window and interior blinds all closed tight). If I really can’t sleep, or have a long stop and wonder where I am (like Toledo), I’ll crack the blinds open for a bit, but the outside light really is a distraction.

Some find the movement in bedrooms better (rocking head to toe) instead of a roomette (rocking side to side). For a roomette, as much as I’m a side sleeper at home, the motion is more tolerable on my back.

 

[railiner]

My practice on a long train trip, is to resist attempting sleep too early. I try to stay awake socializing, watching scenery, or reading, until I can’t keep my eyes open, and then get into bed.
This technique always works for me, and I get a good nights sleep, instead of a series of short naps.

 

[MARC Rider]

My sleep doctor prescribed me something called Zaleplon for the times when I wake up in the middle of the night and really can't get back to sleep. I use it maybe once every couple of weeks. I've never tried it on a train, so I don't know how effective it would be in that case, but it does work at home, and the nice thing is that the 10 mg dose wears off pretty quickly, and I have no bad after-effects when I wake up. I can take it at 2 or 3 AM, get to sleep, and wake up at my normal waking time. However, you need a doctor's prescription for the stuff and you should read the usual warnings, etc. On the other hand, it seems to have the least adverse reactions of all the prescription sleeping pills that are available.

 

[danasgoodstuff]

I slept ok on my recent cross country and back trip, roomette or bedroom, bunk and chair. In a crowded coach car, not so much. In my cloths, always.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

I find the chiming of the K5LA horn to be very relaxing and sometimes if I have trouble falling asleep at home, I'll roll a long play onboard train sounds video from YouTube through the bedroom speakers..

 

[Devil's Advocate]

My husband and I are new riders this year on Amtrak. My husband has a very hard time sleeping even though we have a room. Do you all have any suggestions to help him pass a peaceful night on the train?

Sure…

Melatonin, valerian root caplets (not capsules), spirits, and breathing strips can do wonders for promoting restful sleep. I now advise against diphenhydramine (found in most “PM” pills) as it can create an unpleasant and extended twilight state with other undesirable side effects.

I've tried Valerian Root. For me, it doesn't work and the capsules smell like a dirty sock.

For me Melatonin works well to put me to sleep but does little to keep me asleep if I’m restless whereas Valerian Root caplets do little to put me to sleep but work well to keep me asleep through the night. If I’m struggling with falling asleep and staying asleep I take both.