Which is better CHI-SPK in coach (7 or 27)?

[Qapla]

When taking the EB from Chicago to Spokane you are given two options - 7 EB or 27 EB. Seems Spokane is where they split.

So, if Spokane is your destination and you are riding Coach - would one be any better than the other?

Please try to refrain from explaining the benefits of one sleeper area over the other because the trip would definitely be in Coach ... not a sleeper.

 

[trimetbusfan]

When taking the EB from Chicago to Spokane you are given two options - 7 EB or 27 EB. Seems Spokane is where they split.

So, if Spokane is your destination and you are riding Coach - would one be any better than the other?

Please try to refrain from explaining the benefits of one sleeper area over the other because the trip would definitely be in Coach ... not a sleeper.

27 side usually has 2 Coach cars while the 7 side sometimes only runs with one. Therefore you might have a higher chance of not having a seatmate. It’s also farther away from the engines so less horn noise.

 

[bratkinson]

In my opinion, whichever costs less on the day desired. Whether it's one or two cars to the Sightseer Lounge car for food doesn't really matter.

Given there's at least 2 sleepers at the front for the SEA section, there's sufficient horn noise reduction that the SEA section coaches would barely hear it. From my experience, the superliners have exceptional outside noise blocking capabilities.

 

[zephyr17]

7/8 is always a single coach these days. It was normally at least two pretty much year round pre-COVID. 27/28 has two coaches, at least partly because one is a coach/bag and a regular coach also must run to provide accessible seating. It is very likely that 27 will be less crowded.

I also think 27 has better scenery. The Columbia Gorge has gorgeous views. Most of Stevens Pass is a tree tunnel.

 

[Maglev]

I don't notice locomotive fumes nor horn noise unless I'm in the car right behind the locomotive, and think the lowest fare would be in the least-crowded coach. I would go with the lowest fare.

 

[TraneMan]

Get whatever ticket is the cheapest. It depends on the passenger load in the car, the conductor will either place you in 7 or 27 coach. So don't think you're going to get 7 if you book that.

 

[zephyr17]

Get whatever ticket is the cheapest. It depends on the passenger load in the car, the conductor will either place you in 7 or 27 coach. So don't think you're going to get 7 if you book that.

Yeah, I guess I sort of breezed past that the OP is only going as far as Spokane. Buy whichever is cheapest. The conductors will only care about sorting people into the right section for those going past Spokane.

 

[Steve4031]

The conductor will determine which car you will ride in. Those traveling further are usually closer to the lounge car.

 

[Rambling Robert]

See - these guys give great information as some did for my segment CHI to SPK.

Here’s stuff that may or not be needed: when I was there in June 2022 I found the Spokane Amtrak Station (street level) to be open past the departure - maybe waiting for an Amtrak Thruway bus.

There was at least one security guard 24/7 also street level. At Spokane they were kind to let me know what washrooms were unlocked. There are restrooms on the platform (second) level and first level.

A caffè/snack bar is on the second level but I didn’t use. The street level has good vending machines ($$ & cc) with tasty sandwiches, chips, soda and ice cream. There weren’t any homeless or panhandler (2AM - 7AM and 5PM - 1AM) BUT I’m told it’s a tough neighborhood.

So,
Great trip inn EB, clean quiet
Car rental experience - meh
Drive thru Canadian Rockies

 

[Qapla]

Don't know when I may be able to take this trip - depends on several variables.

In preliminary checking, the fares were the same for 7 or 27 - although they were definitely listed as separate options/tickets

Thanks for the info - I will keep it in mind if/when I get to make the trip.

 

[Trogdor]

Don't know when I may be able to take this trip - depends on several variables.

In preliminary checking, the fares were the same for 7 or 27 - although they were definitely listed as separate options/tickets

Thanks for the info - I will keep it in mind if/when I get to make the trip.

They are listed as separate options because they come from different inventory. But as others noted, conductors may group passengers by destination, regardless of ticket, to make it easier to ensure everyone winds up at the right stop. It's more of an issue at smaller stations where the platform may not be long enough to hold the entire train (and not all doors will open), and so having passengers grouped in the same car will reduce the need for multiple spots. At a station like Spokane, they may or may not try to keep everyone to a single car just because the stop is long enough and all passenger car doors open anyway. Ultimately it depends on how many people are going to Spokane, and where those passengers are boarding.

 

[Qapla]

With Covid still lurking and my age and finances ... it will not be this week/month or next

 

[Acela150]

Get whatever ticket is the cheapest. It depends on the passenger load in the car, the conductor will either place you in 7 or 27 coach. So don't think you're going to get 7 if you book that.

This is the correct answer, and I'll add some info to it. Since the EB splits at SPK typically the Coach Attendant on train 7 will determine who goes where. This is reffered to as a "Load Plan". The load plan is based on sleeper work. So lets say that the 830 Sleeper has 2 rooms going to Malta, MT the Coach attendant *should* put any coach pax for Malta in the 12 car aka Seattle Coach. I know of only one conductor from Chicago who does the load plan, and that's not even their job.

 

[Willbridge]

This is the correct answer, and I'll add some info to it. Since the EB splits at SPK typically the Coach Attendant on train 7 will determine who goes where. This is reffered to as a "Load Plan". The load plan is based on sleeper work. So lets say that the 830 Sleeper has 2 rooms going to Malta, MT the Coach attendant *should* put any coach pax for Malta in the 12 car aka Seattle Coach. I know of only one conductor from Chicago who does the load plan, and that's not even their job.

This happened when I booked the Texas Eagle from Los Angeles to Fort Worth. The Texas coach was full and I was asked to ride in a Sunset coach and change cars in San Antonio. As I had never seen the switching operation at San Antonio I went along with it as educational, but it would have been hard on some passengers.