Train coach layouts?

[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.

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.

Really? Amtrak can't get their car numbering correct? Are the car numbers not permanently assigned / attached? Or... do they draw them on with a marker? Seriously... this seems that it would be a legal and safety requirement.

 

[FrenchieFrogZ]

You know... I was pleasantly satisfied with the original replies to my original question. But, like most forums, someone has to make sure they show everyone how "smart" they are and start posting more information than what is needed... including or followed by another comment that is supposed to be some sort of dig on the original poster.

It is not my first time to travel on Amtrak. I don't refer to the Amtrak personnel that I am in a "coach"... I just tell them my car and room number. It has never been an issue. My questions were based on previous travel on Amtrak, were you were allowed to choose your room assignment. Without any help from any station staff... I have found my car at Philadelphia and Chicago.

My original question was pretty simple. I received a lot of helpful replies and answers... that I gave acknowledgement to! It wasn't until post #13, that someone had to throw in a snide remark(s) that added nothing to the conversation.

Again... thank you to those folks that originally answered. The rest of you can argue about the definitions among yourselves. My apologies for disturbing your private forums.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

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.

Really? Amtrak can't get their car numbering correct? Are the car numbers not permanently assigned / attached? Or... do they draw them on with a marker? Seriously... this seems that it would be a legal and safety requirement.

I think you're confusing the # that is painted on the car with the # of the car on your ticket. They have no idea what specific car is going to be your car when you book your trip. The # on your ticket is made up of the Train# and the placement in the consist. Perhaps someone can post a link to the consist page as I'm on my phone and it's a bit cumbersome for me to do that.

 

[FrenchieFrogZ]

You folks can continue between yourselves. I'm done here. Thank you for the welcome... great job at alienating a new member.

 

[the_traveler]

What AB is saying is that the actual car number (the number painted on the side of the car) may say something like "39257" or "17412". However, if you're on the CZ your ticket may say you're in car 631, or if on the Cardinal your ticket may say you're in car 5000. These numbers are on a manually changeable display near the door. Most times those displays are correct, but not always! (I was once on train 27 to PDX, and the "car number display" said "832" - and did not get changed until we almost reached PDX! The correct car number should have said car 2730!)

 

[pennyk]

Well, I hope some of you are ashamed of yourselves. Although we have rules against personal attacks, we do not have rules against being rude to new members asking legitimate questions. One would think that we would not need such a rule.

Apologies to FrenchieFrogZ. Some of our members are over zealous and nit-pick with terminology. I do not think they intend to be rude and condescending, but sometimes it comes out that way.

Hopefully, you will return if you have more questions. If not, we hope you have a great trip.

 

[Everydaymatters]

I also hate it when a new person is attacked and I also hope he will return.

This seems to be an epidemic on some travel sites, but I have always felt our members should be above such pettiness.

 

[Ryan]

Sorry ladies, I respect you both a great deal, but he brought this all on himself. Paul's comment wasn't a nit-pick about terminology, but trying to help someone that could have been legitimately confused when trying to board a coach car with a sleeper ticket. As I said in my first post to him, if he didn't find it valuable, he could have done the gracious thing and said nothing, but by choosing to be rude deserved the not-even-harsh words that he got.

You'll note that he immediately attacked Amtrak "They can't even get their car numbering correct" when it was pointed out the difference between the two numbers on the car, which he would have also found confusing when he was looking for a car numbered 1430 and only saw cars with numbers like 39039 painted on the side.

If you want to be treated with respect, you've got to treat others with respect.

Edit to add: I do agree with the general premise that as a group, rail fans can be a bunch of overly nit-picky fools about some topics - this just isn't one of them.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Even when the new member is rude replying with "whatever" (post #14) .

I was tempted to make the same type of post that Paul made because the OPs terminology could be confusing to new riders.

 

[Everydaymatters]

Things started to go sour after post #13. I believe Paul meant no harm in saying "all you Frogs out there", but when something is stated in writing, one cannot see the expression on your face. Something said in jest can easily be misinterpreted.

 

[ScottRu]

Children! Play nice!