Train Newbie

[Kapwned]

Hi there, I'm Katie, and I'm 23 Soon I will be taking my first train trip (first time on a train at all!) and I'm super excited. I love road trips, but I think I will enjoy the comfort and leg space of a train and have always wanted to experience the views from a train perspective. I have a lot of friends in Europe, mostly England and Germany, who think its odd I've never been on a train. I was wondering if I could ask a few questions here Just to clear some possible stress and anxiety. I am traveling alone and it is my first time on a train, can't blame me can ya?

1. My route is going to be Detroit--.> Toledo--> DC--> Newport News--> Norfolk. How big do these stations typically get, and do they have multiple... platforms I guess you could say? I know the Detroit one is small.. I am just nervous about missing connection trains. I don't want to screw up and miss my train.

2. Do they offer blankets on the train? I am just traveling coach the entire time, so I was curious about this. If not I can always bring my own, I just want to make sure my load is as light as can be.

3. It says you're only allowed 2 bags tops... does my purse count as one of them? I plan on carrying a big purse with me like I always do when I travel. I usually pack snacks, entertainment things in it, and necessities such as medicine. But I don't want to lug around a big heavy suit case so I was thinking of bringing 2 small wheel-y backpacks. I'm going to be out of town for 2 weeks, and its not some backpacking across country excursion, so I can't do a backpack or just one small suitcase.

4. What kind of foods does the snack cart/cafe carry? And how much do they typically cost? Just a price range is fine I looked online but could only find the menu for the other dining.

5. What happens if there are delays and I possibly miss a train that I was supposed to get on? This is my biggest fear with traveling. One year American Airlines canceled my flight. I was stuck in Chicago from flying from Seattle and I was going to Detroit. The employees weren't very helpful... I called the airline from the kiosk multiple times, had to call them 4 times until they found me a flight going out the next day (all of the previous people were telling me I wouldn't be able to fly out for a couple days!). They'd provide no reason for why my flight was canceled, I was told over the phone that I was eligible for a free hotel room but the lady at the desk who was supposed to give me my free hotel room voucher was a bit 'tudey and refused to give me a free voucher. In the end, I managed to convince her to give me a discount voucher. Not sure how train stations work with this stuff.

6. Are there rooms where you can get changed and wash up? I just want somewhere to maybe wash my face, freshen up, and change my clothes before I get to my final destination.

 

[Ryan]

Hi Katie!

Looks like you'll be on a bus from Detroit to Toledo, the Capitol Limited from Toledo to Washington, a Regional train from Washington to Newport News, and then another bus from Newport News over to Norfolk.

Toledo will be super easy.

Washington is somewhat big 21 tracks (numbered 7-28, as 1-6 have been removed), but you shouldn't have any issues making your connection. Once you arrive, there are monitors everywhere that you can look and see what track and what gate (lettered A-K) your next train will be on.

I would bring my own blanket - you will be given a small pillow on the Toledo-Washington leg.

In practice, the carry on policy is "Whatever you can easily carry without getting in the way and needing help", so you shouldn't have trouble bringing 2 bags and a purse.

No snack cart, but the lounge car (on both trains) will have some drinks (alcoholic and not) and some snack-type items, but they're somewhat pricy. I would absolutely recommend eating in the dining car on your way into Washington. The Capitol Limited serves a combined breakfast/lunch due to it's arrival time into DC, and it's a good way to get a good meal. It looks like you'll be on train 83 from Washington to Newport News, which leaves at 5:50. I would definitely have dinner in Union Station before leaving DC.

Your bus from Detroit runs solely to take people to the train in Toledo - if for some reason the bus is delayed, they should hold the train for you guys (although I don't think I've ever heard of a bus being late to get to a train). You have plenty of time in your layover in DC, so I wouldn't worry about that connection. And the bus from Newport News to Norfolk is like the bus on the beginning of the trip - only there to take people getting off the train over to Norfolk. If your train is late, the bus doesn't leave until you get there.

All that said, if you do miss a connection, Amtrak will take care of you.

There are large restrooms on both trains that you'll be on that give you some room to change clothes and a sink to wash up with.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[AlanB]

Katie,

Your purse does not count as one of the two carry-on's that you're allowed. Neither does a laptop bag count towards the total of two bags. So if you could carry it all, you could have two suitcases, 1 laptop bag, and your purse and you'd be fine under Amtrak's carryon policies.

Here's the cafe menu for the train from Toledo to DC. Expect similar foods & pricing for the train from DC down to Virginia.

And Amtrak is usually pretty good at taking care of people if a train is so late that a connection is missed. This is not to say that you can't bump into an employee having a bad day, just like you did with the airline, but generally Amtrak does a pretty good job of dealing with things, getting hotel & food vouchers, and re-booking you on the next train.

 

[Rail Freak]

The Sightseer Lounge is where you'll want to be on the Capitol Limited!!! ( it will be the same car as the cafe, between the coach & dinning cars)

Have Fun

 

[PegB]

I have never traveled over night on Amtrak. (I'll be fixing that oversight late next month when I'll be "enjoying" 3 nights of coach on Amtrak.) But, I frequently travel the northwest corridor and make the DC to VA Beach/Norfolk run a couple of times a year. DC's Union Station is large. But, you should have plenty of time to figure out where to go next. And, it is a neat station. Lots of shops and places to eat. People who live in DC actually go to the station to eat. I went to a wedding reception there last year. And, unlike the airport - you can actually go outside and look around. Newport News is a tiny station. The bus waits for the train. It doesn't have anywhere else that it has to be.

I would rethink 2 small wheeled backpacks in favor of one wheeled thing with something else strapped on top. 2 wheeled things are just hard to manage if you encounter anything other than nice smooth pavement.

"They" say that one should take a blanket/pillow for overnighting on Amtrak. I think I am going to declare a Pashmina to be a blanket. I am a little old lady with decades of travel behind me - I always travel with only a small backpack and a big purse. I have an aversion to wheeled luggage so, factor that into my comments about the 2 wheeled backpacks.

Enjoy.

(Funny aside about changing clothes before the station. Not so many years ago, I got one of the last seats on a high speed train from Brussels to Paris. My seat was a fold down jump seat in the baggage car. But, hey I don't care. I am going to Paris. I don't have any notion how long it will take to get to Paris. I am listening to The Dead on my iPod, dozing off on my jump seat, which was more comfortable than airline coach - when the baggage car fills up with French ladies. They are using it as a place to change clothes and fluff themselves up before getting off in Paris. And sure enough just as the last lips were reddened and the last high heels were strapped we rolled into Gare De Nord.)

 

[Kapwned]

Oh yeah, I've heard of those carts, they sound nice. I will definitely be taking pictures there. None of my friends have ever ridden a train so they've asked me to take pictures and record video haha.

And thanks for the menu, I was curious about that one. The only one I could find was a menu with really expensive prices.

 

[afigg]

Oh yeah, I've heard of those carts, they sound nice. I will definitely be taking pictures there. None of my friends have ever ridden a train so they've asked me to take pictures and record video haha.

And thanks for the menu, I was curious about that one. The only one I could find was a menu with really expensive prices.

You might want to check out Youtube videos of the Capitol Limited and Northeast Regionals. Most of the videos will be exterior shots of passing trains, but there are amateur videos of the interior and walkthrough tours. They should give you a feel for the train and what is on it.

You will be taking Amtrak provided buses at both ends of the trip: Detroit to Toledo and Newport News to Norfolk. Virginia and Amtrak will be starting Northeast Regional service to Norfolk this December, so it you do this trip again after December, you might be able to get a direct train to Norfolk.

FYI, the Capitol Limited train uses Superliner cars which are bi-level cars. You walk between the cars on the upper level. The train to Newport News from DC will use single level cars called Amfleets which are used in the east.

Also, Union Station in DC is a large station, but it is one of the nicest stations in the Amtrak system. Has a food court on the lower level, restaurants, and stores. Check out the front hall if you have time on the layover there, pretty famous place. Union Station is also within walking distance of Capitol Hill and the Supreme Court, but if you got luggage and this is your first trip on the train, you may want to keep the trip simple. You should be able to walk out to the front of Union Station and see the Capitol dome if you have a little time.

 

[Bob Dylan]

If you have time while in Union Station you may also want to walk out the Front Door, turn Left and stop in to the Offices @ 60 Mass and let Joe Boardman know your thoughts on how to improve Amtrak! :lol:

 

[TimePeace]

I once had about a 4 hour layover in Washington Union Station, and my daughter (then 14) asked "Can we go to the Viet Nam Wall?" We found out it was only about a 15 or 20 minute walk - so we went there and paid our respects, then took a cab back to the station (I think it was about $5) and had plenty of time.

Best thing I ever did in DC.

 

[Kapwned]

I once had about a 4 hour layover in Washington Union Station, and my daughter (then 14) asked "Can we go to the Viet Nam Wall?" We found out it was only about a 15 or 20 minute walk - so we went there and paid our respects, then took a cab back to the station (I think it was about $5) and had plenty of time.

Best thing I ever did in DC.

Yeah I'd be more interested in seeing places like memorials

I wonder if I'd look odd walking around with my wheely suitcase and backpack... I had friends get in trouble for running in front of the white house once (they were on a group tour and they got a little behind and had to run to catch up to their group). So I'm wonder what they'd think of a girl walking around with a bunch of luggage.

 

[PegB]

Union Station is my "home" station - so - I haven't checked this out in person, but, I think they have a left luggage room.

 

[Ryan]

They do if you have access to the Club Acela (which Katie won't).

There is a paid storage location next to Gate A, but its prices are prohibitively expensive.

 

[user 1215]

Hi there, I'm Katie, and I'm 23 Soon I will be taking my first train trip (first time on a train at all!) and I'm super excited. I love road trips, but I think I will enjoy the comfort and leg space of a train and have always wanted to experience the views from a train perspective. I have a lot of friends in Europe, mostly England and Germany, who think its odd I've never been on a train. I was wondering if I could ask a few questions here Just to clear some possible stress and anxiety. I am traveling alone and it is my first time on a train, can't blame me can ya?

Hey - any time you can get more information, the smoother your trip is.

1. My route is going to be Detroit--.> Toledo--> DC--> Newport News--> Norfolk. How big do these stations typically get, and do they have multiple... platforms I guess you could say? I know the Detroit one is small.. I am just nervous about missing connection trains. I don't want to screw up and miss my train.

This can vary significantly, but let not your heart be troubled. The smaller stations typically have one platform, and it looks like all the stations you mentioned are staffed. You'll likely go to a waiting room and called like you would be at an airport. The bigger stations, like Washington DC, can end up having long lines and what I call the "kindergarten walk". You basically wait until your train is called, and then you follow a station attendant to the platform. This is very different than Europe and Asia where you essentially are on your own to find the right platform and then the right place along the platform to board the train. As a free spirit, though, I kinda prefer that. From a newbie standpoint, the kindergarten walk may be the best way.

2. Do they offer blankets on the train? I am just traveling coach the entire time, so I was curious about this. If not I can always bring my own, I just want to make sure my load is as light as can be.

No. They do offer pillows that are almost the same as what you'd find on an airplane. They used to sell the thin fleece blankets in the cafe, but they stopped. Those are really comfy, light and warm.

3. It says you're only allowed 2 bags tops... does my purse count as one of them? I plan on carrying a big purse with me like I always do when I travel. I usually pack snacks, entertainment things in it, and necessities such as medicine. But I don't want to lug around a big heavy suit case so I was thinking of bringing 2 small wheel-y backpacks. I'm going to be out of town for 2 weeks, and its not some backpacking across country excursion, so I can't do a backpack or just one small suitcase.

I think AlanB answered that one pretty well.

4. What kind of foods does the snack cart/cafe carry? And how much do they typically cost? Just a price range is fine I looked online but could only find the menu for the other dining.

I have found that breakfast and dinner can be quite expensive in the Diner. The cafe does pretty good for those, but they run out of the best stuff. For breakfast, maybe $6 in the Cafe, $12 in the Diner. For dinner, maybe $8 in the Cafe, and up to $30+ in the Diner. I have found that lunch in the Diner can be almost a wash - and definitely for the perhaps $1 or 2 more in the Diner, the experience more than makes up for it. About $9 in the Diner and about $7 in the Cafe.

5. What happens if there are delays and I possibly miss a train that I was supposed to get on? This is my biggest fear with traveling. One year American Airlines canceled my flight. I was stuck in Chicago from flying from Seattle and I was going to Detroit. The employees weren't very helpful... I called the airline from the kiosk multiple times, had to call them 4 times until they found me a flight going out the next day (all of the previous people were telling me I wouldn't be able to fly out for a couple days!). They'd provide no reason for why my flight was canceled, I was told over the phone that I was eligible for a free hotel room but the lady at the desk who was supposed to give me my free hotel room voucher was a bit 'tudey and refused to give me a free voucher. In the end, I managed to convince her to give me a discount voucher. Not sure how train stations work with this stuff.

Amtrak is pretty good at taking care of their guests when there are unforeseen delays. But, there are some caveats to consider. If you can book it on Amtrak.com direct between two points, they will guarantee connections. If you have to use "Multi-Trip" or book separate itineraries, you could be on your own. They will not compensate for missed connections. Generally, this means a minimum of 2 hours of layover anywhere you change trains. Compensation could be a full refund, a fixed price voucher, a stay in a hotel if necessary, etc.

6. Are there rooms where you can get changed and wash up? I just want somewhere to maybe wash my face, freshen up, and change my clothes before I get to my final destination.

There are still some pretty large restrooms that you can freshen up in, change, etc., but no showers. I have pitched plans to install high quality pay-showers in major stations like Washington DC and Chicago, but I haven't found anyone to finance it yet. LOL. One option you may want to consider - and I am guessing that finances are tight - is perhaps a sleeping car for a portion of your trip. Not the whole trip, but maybe an in-between leg. Sleeping car passengers have access to showers, whereas coach passengers do not. On your particular route, it looks like the only sleeper is available from TOL - WAS. It'll likely be between $200 - $300 additional, but here's what you get: breakfast and lunch in the Diner, a private horizontal sleeping surface, unlimited access to coffee & juice, and yes - that coveted shower. If you don't want to book it now, ask when you board. They may be able to upgrade you onboard for the lowest price.

Most of all, be aware that Amtrak runs at the mercy of its host railroads - obligated by law to prioritize Amtrak, but not always willing. You can be delayed. You can have issues. But so long as you set those in your expectations, you should have an enjoyable trip.

 

[Kapwned]

They do if you have access to the Club Acela (which Katie won't).

There is a paid storage location next to Gate A, but its prices are prohibitively expensive.

What is expensive? I told my mom about it and she was offering to give me some money to either check my luggage if possible in DC, or store it if they offered any kind of storage. I lived in Virginia for 8 years and 2-3 hours away from DC and I never went there. So its about time I wandered around there. If all else fails I can plan accordingly for my next trip

 

[darien-l]

I've had good luck storing bags at hotels, even if I wasn't staying there. Just tip the bellman a few bucks, and you should be good. The bigger the hotel, the less they care. There's a Hyatt a couple of blocks away from Union Station that would be a good bet.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I've had good luck storing bags at hotels, even if I wasn't staying there. Just tip the bellman a few bucks, and you should be good. The bigger the hotel, the less they care. There's a Hyatt a couple of blocks away from Union Station that would be a good bet.

I wonder if I can "book" me into a hotel lounge for a few hours? I've actually thought about this for my trip to Utah in August. Because of east bound times at SLC & PRO, I thought that maybe I could have my daughter drop me off "early" and hang out at a nearby hotel lobby by offering a "tip".

 

[Devil's Advocate]

They do if you have access to the Club Acela (which Katie won't). There is a paid storage location next to Gate A, but its prices are prohibitively expensive.

What is expensive? I told my mom about it and she was offering to give me some money to either check my luggage if possible in DC, or store it if they offered any kind of storage. I lived in Virginia for 8 years and 2-3 hours away from DC and I never went there. So its about time I wandered around there. If all else fails I can plan accordingly for my next trip

Something like this...

"Small" $3/hour

"Medium" $4/hour

"Large" $6/hour

You'd probably be better off using a hotel in my view. Some hotels charge a lot for storing luggage, but many others charge little or nothing beyond the cost of the tip. Just make sure you receive a claim check when you hand over your luggage. No need to go into any depth as to your plans. You're a traveler who wants to store your bags. These folks are working off tips so unless the hotel is in an area with security concerns or you look unkempt that's usually all they need to know. In many cases you can store your bags indefinitely (but not overnight) for no more than the cost of a tip, but if the storage fees are too high or you receive any hassle then simply walk to the next hotel and try again.

I've had good luck storing bags at hotels, even if I wasn't staying there. Just tip the bellman a few bucks, and you should be good. The bigger the hotel, the less they care. There's a Hyatt a couple of blocks away from Union Station that would be a good bet.

I wonder if I can "book" me into a hotel lounge for a few hours? I've actually thought about this for my trip to Utah in August. Because of east bound times at SLC & PRO, I thought that maybe I could have my daughter drop me off "early" and hang out at a nearby hotel lobby by offering a "tip".

You only need to tip if you're leaving bags or having a drink or something. Just waiting in the lobby doesn't cost anything. I actually enjoy spending time in the lobbies of fancier hotels so for me it's just second nature to order something, but it's in no way required to make use of the lobby itself.