Train coach layouts?

[FrenchieFrogZ]

Is there an on-line reference to the coaches that Amtrak runs? I'm trying to figure out my roomette assignment... since it seems Amtrak does not allow you to pick upper or lower level roomette assignment when you pay for your reservation.

For example, I am on the COAST STARLIGHT, on March 6. I am assigned Car #1430, room 008. On the return, I am assigned Car #1130, room 004.

I want to be on the upper level.

Also, is it possible to request a change to the upper level if I'm on the lower level?

 

[Steve Manfred]

If I'm reading this correctly, http://www.amtrakagentsupport.com/fam-3d-tours-diagrams.htm, then you are on the upper level for both directions.

 

[amtkstn]

You can call 1-800-872-7245 and ask to change rooms. Make sure to keep the same price. Do it as far out before your travel date, the price may go up.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

8 and 4 are both considered good rooms. Some people do not like 9 and 10 because they are adjacent to the end of car door (noise) or 2 because it is next to the coffee station and stairs (traffic and noise).

 

[SarahZ]

As others stated, you are on the upper level.

In the future, if you want a specific level, car, and/or room, you can call to request it. For example, I always try to book the car closest to the dining car and a roomette in the middle of the upper level.

 

[KmH]

Here are Amtrak car diagrams that I prefer over the diagrams provided at Amtrak Agent Support.

http://www.craigmashburn.com/amtrakcardiagrams.html

 

[PerRock]

As if you needed more options, but here are some I've made from various official documents (& help from the kind people here).

http://s4.zetaboards.com/amtkz/pages/cars/

peter

 

[ScottRu]

You ask for layouts and folks here deliver them!!

 

[minnie]

How about the sleeper layout for a viewliner II?

 

[FrenchieFrogZ]

Thank you to everyone for your replies and help! I will keep the roomettes I have assigned.

I'm glad I found this forum. Someone posted about it in Google Play... recommending it over the official Amtrak magazine app.

This is not my first overnight on Amtrak. But, it has been a few years since I rode long-haul. I think I remember being able to choose the room during the on-line reservation process. I guess they have done away with that option?

 

[PerRock]

How about the sleeper layout for a viewliner II?

As far as I know, no official details of the layout have been released. I'll be making one once I know, but until then who knows really. However I would expect it to be fairly similar to the Viewliner I layout, minus the bathrooms and a new room or two.

peter

 

[FormerOBS]

Room 1 is the SCA's. Rooms 2-10 are upstairs, with the lowest numbers being closest to the middle of the car. Downstairs rooms 11 and 12 are closest to the middle; 12 and 13 are next in line. The middle of the car is considered to have the smoothest ride due to the "hammock effect".

Enjoy your trip!

Tom

 

[PaulM]

Is there an on-line reference to the coaches that Amtrak runs? I'm trying to figure out my roomette assignment...

For all you frogs out there, a bit of Amtrak terminology. There are basically two types of revenue passenger cars: coaches and sleepers. You are inquiring about sleepers. Coaches refer to what I believe Europeans call saloon seating.

 

[FrenchieFrogZ]

Is there an on-line reference to the coaches that Amtrak runs? I'm trying to figure out my roomette assignment...

For all you frogs out there, a bit of Amtrak terminology. There are basically two types of revenue passenger cars: coaches and sleepers. You are inquiring about sleepers. Coaches refer to what I believe Europeans call saloon seating.

Whatever...

 

[Ryan]

That must be some new French phrase for "Thank you" that I'm not familiar with.

 

[FrenchieFrogZ]

That must be some new French phrase for "Thank you" that I'm not familiar with.

See post #10 for appropriate "thank you" for useful information.

 

[Ryan]

The information in post #13 was equally valuable. When you walk out to your Coast Starlight and ask on how to get to your coach, you'll be sent entirely the wrong direction if you're booked in a sleeping car.

Or, if you didn't really find the information all that useful to you, you could have done the graceful thing and said nothing.

 

[FrenchieFrogZ]

No... my original question was quite specific. I asked about the location of my roomette. I did not ask about the type of car or directions to the car... and, I won't ask for directions at the station. I can easily figure out where I need to go by the car number provided.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

I have often heard or seen passenger cars generically referred to as Coaches; so there is nothing wrong with the OP's terminology.

 

[FrenchieFrogZ]

Thank you for the clarification.

 

[FormerOBS]

Regarding terminology, my Webster's says a coach is "a railroad passenger car furnishing the lowest-priced seating accommodations". So a coach is a specific type of passenger car. I once had a passenger tell me her accommodation was in the next "boxcar". The term caught me by surprise & I couldn't stop myself from laughing in her face. Not cool.

People may call sleepers coaches, and they may call passenger cars boxcars, but that doesn't make it so. Some people have even gone so far as to call me intelligent! :giggle:

Tom

 

[Ryan]

No... my original question was quite specific. I asked about the location of my roomette. I did not ask about the type of car or directions to the car... and, I won't ask for directions at the station. I can easily figure out where I need to go by the car number provided.

Or, if you didn't really find the information all that useful to you, you could have done the graceful thing and said nothing.

You're also assuming that the numbers on the cars are going to be correct, which is not really a safe assumption. But hey, you're the expert. I'm sure it'll work out just fine for you.

 

[PerRock]

and, I won't ask for directions at the station. I can easily figure out where I need to go by the car number provided.

Depending on the station & the staff there, they may not give you that option. Some station staff in the States will insist on giving you the "Kindergarden Walk" to your car.

peter

 

[spacecadet]

"Coach" is not only a type of car, it's also a specific and official Amtrak class designation. So referring to your "coach" to any Amtrak employee will result in incorrect information in pretty much any situation. For example, if you happen to be in the lounge when the attendant's taking dining car reservations, if you tell him/her you're from coach number whatever, they're probably going to take your reservation last because they will think you're in a different class than you are. At the very least, there's going to be an unnecessary discussion about what class you're really in because your car number won't match up.

It's really no different than economy/business/first class on a plane; Amtrak just calls them different things. You wouldn't say you're in "coach" if you bought a first class ticket on a plane - saying that to a flight attendant will probably get you kicked out until they figure out what's going on.

Anyway people here are trying to help. This info is going to make things easier on you if you use it.

 

[jis]

Coach referring to a railroad car for day travel is an American English thing. If you look at Oxford Dictionary it will say that using the term "coach" to refer to any railway carriage is OK.

In English English and closely related English like Indian English, the term "Coach" is generally not used as a class of travel. There is Standard Class in the UK, and in India there are 2nd Class General and Second, First or Executive Class Chair Car. In those parts of the world if you ask for Coach you will get a strange look. In India what would be referred to as Car in US as in Car number 2910, would be referred to as Coach as in Coach A4, even though A4 is an AC 2 tier Sleeper.

Isn't English fun?

OTOH referring to the steerage accommodation in airplane is pretty universally referred to as Coach for some reason.