Excellent job! I’m a retired Train Attendant and Conductor so I really appreciate your thoroughness and honesty in your videos. Keep up the great work and stay safe! Have a blessed Christmas and wonderful New Year!
As a single and older traveler, i always use the roomette. The only way to travel by train at my age, with lots of space to put my feet up, and the train attendants re wonderful. I took my mom with me one year, so i also have slept in the. Upper bunk. Brace your knee in the net, it helps you sleep more securely. I love the mixed seating at meals and have met lots of interesting people. I love, love, love, the train!
I like how she explains everything in detail and leaves no stone unturned. What brought me here was me riding the amtrak from home which is DC down to Tampa, FL. Although it wasn't my first time I never knew that they had rooms etc. Nevertheless she needs to advertise for Amtrak directly bcuz she is awesome at it! She even measures the damn bed for crying out loud lls. I hate people that give tours and leave things out, it blows me!!!
Curious how you never knew they had rooms? Everytime I ever booked with Amtrak they always asked me if I wanted Coach, a Roommette, Bedroom or Family Bedroom. The rooms are stupid expensive though. We wanted to take Amtrak out west and went from SC to San Francisco which was across 3 trains: Crescent to DC, Capitol Limited to Chicago then California Zephyr to San Fran. First 2 trains I took the Roomette, the 54 hour long Zephyr I went with the Bedroom and grand total was $4200. To go Coach that whole trip was like 300 something lol
BECAUSE of @groundedlifetravel, my wife and i have started to travel on Amtrak. we missed our 3rd year in a row of fall train trips because work is gut us all goofed up this year
When I was a child back in 1954, My folks took me on the train from Chicago to Los Angeles,. Some of my Best memories are of those trips. Sleeping in the upper bunk, with the blue nighlite,looking out the small window. The Dome Diner, tables with pink or white linen, gold colored flatware, roses on every table. Appetizers before lunch or dinner,. Playing old maid in the club car with new friends. Feeling special traversing from car to car. The friendliness of the porters and Passengers. Then we went to San Francisco on the Starlight! Wonderful During adolescent years traveled alone on Northern Pacific line. I still had the Best sleep--- the movement and sounds of the train are embedded. Surprisingly, both my brother and ex husband have rooms in their houses dedicated to their model train set ups. Wish they were used morew, people could stand to slow down.☺️☺️☺️
I worked for the bnsf railroad for 37 years on the track department and have never been on an a train trip but am planning on a denver to san Francisco tril next may, All the videos I've seen they say there's no internet but on the amtrack booking site it shows internet is this new or ???
I travel by plane most of the time when traveling. However, it’s always been a desire of mine to travel from the East-West coast in a sleeper car. After reviewing your video, I wasn’t aware of all the various sleeper cars Amtrak had available. Now that you’ve shared all the available options, I’m looking forward of making this a reality in the very near future. Thanks for all the detailed information you and Rob provided!
What a fantastic vlog and you both are so good at explaining everything. Years ago (1970s) my husband, son and I shared a sleeper and while using the enclosed dimly-lit bathroom, I accidentally grabbed the handle for the shower instead of flushing the toilet. 🤣 Another time my elderly mother and I left St. Paul in below zero snowy weather and settled into this huge room at the end of the car (circa 1988). We were in our pajamas in bed as this train was barreling at what seemed 100 miles an hour and I suddenly climbed out of the top bunk, put on my clothes, winter coat and gloves and climbed back in bed. I explained to my mother that if the train crashed in the blizzard at those speeds, I wanted to be prepared. Pretty soon she got up and dressed the same. Then we laughed all the way to Montana. I had traveled MANY times across Montana and North Dakota back in the 1960s and the train was often 24 hours late getting into Minneapolis in the winter. Freight trains had priority. I couldn’t afford a roomette and women wore skirts and dresses on the train back in those days. Hopefully, one of these days I will enjoy the more modern conveniences.
Ive watched a ton of sleeper train reviews/tours and this is by far the best! I especially appreciate how thorough you were with the accessible cabins, no one ever covers those! I'm wheelchair dependant and what might be a little inconvenience for an able bodied person can be a nightmare for me. Can't wait to take a trip, now! Also, you two are so adorable! 💚🙏🕊
We always had the roomette when we’d travel across country. We loved it. All meals included and so relaxing. Just lay back and enjoy the view. You can NEVER be in a hurry as many things happen to delay trains (weather, maintenance, crashes with cars, etc. ) It also is VERY pricy, but so worth it to have the privacy and comfort. I could never sleep sitting up, so coach is never an option for me on long distances.
We took the sleeper train viewliner from NY to Ohio and it was awesome. The room was very comfortable and having the bathroom in the room was a bonus especially at night. The food on the train was delicious. The cheesecake was to die for! The crew was pleasant and very helpful. We plan on doing it again, Thank you for sharing this video👌👏👏
Thank you for this video fully explaining each room /space. It was extremely helpful showing accessible options as it allows the disabled passenger to plan their travel needs accordingly. One less thing to worry about.
I have never been on a train but I have contemplated trying it. My daughter lives on the west coast and I live in the east coast. I am retired so I have time to travel and I think that I will go visit her via train. Thank you for this very informative information.
She touches way too may surfaces. She sounds like she's OCD? Roomette with my own shower and toilet is all I'm interested in. The Amtrak Zephyr is the best train to travel across country.
OMG...I had no idea that train travel was so accommodating! This option is a pandemic plus and, unlike airplanes, I haven't observed any videos with obscene passenger attacks/rants on Amtrak. Thank you for a very thorough video!
I do not know anyone who travels by train more than I do as I am afraid to fly. :( This video is awesome, what a wonderful overview of all the different rooms. I do wish that Amtrak would finally update the all the trains as they are outdated. How is it the most advanced country in the world has such outdated trains? The lighting, the decor, the material, it all seems so old to me. I would also recommend to all to bring Lysol wipes and before you touch anything, wipe every single inch of your room. I do that and every time the wipe comes out black after cleaning. EWWWW. But a little cleaning does the trick. These attendants are really amazing and so nice but unfortunately have very little time to clean every crevice of the room. In this day and age of Covid, you can't be too careful. I love travelling with Amtrak, it is an adventure within an adventure. :) Happy trails.
Yes! Thank you so very much! I am prohibited from flying for health reasons and can only travel by road, rail or water. I do have a question regarding corridor width: how wide are the common area corridors? I use a manual wheelchair, so I need an extra few inches, in order to be able to propel my chair, to accomodate my arms.
@@diy_nailsby_heidi_r3889 You will be almost always in the ADA Room so you can always have the attendent push you to the room, since no elevator or lifts on the train you will have no access to the observation car, or dinning car since they are on the 2nd floor but the attendent can bring you dinning to your ADA roommate and all soft drinks. Also on some stops the big ones if you want to pay for Cafe food (although you have dinning already included with your roommate) you can have the attnedent move you from the roommate to the 1rst floor of the Cafe Car.
As a kid in the 70's I took the trip from Toronto to Vancouver on a CN train for several days. I remember my grandmother yelling at us to get our heads in the window because we would look out in the mountains, it was so gorgeous. I remember my mom and grandmother laughing at how small the room was but it was very similar to these with the couches that pull out and the two bunks above. I do remember being surprised at how much rocking the train did at night. soothing and also a tiny bit scary. I remember the glass dome car to see out and the lovely dining room and club cars. Only coffee tea or milk tho! LOL Thanks for bringing back the memories!
Great post & very accurate. Since retiring, I’ve been a frequent traveler on various Amtrak long haul routes. One thing I didn’t hear you mention is, on some trains a family group can get 2 bedrooms with a connecting door between the two rooms just like in some hotels. I’ve traveled with my sister & her young grandson this way & it was nice to have them nearby yet we each still had our privacy. Once her grandson was safely tucked away in bed, Sis would come to my room to chat or play cards or whatever, leaving the connecting door open in case grandson woke up needing something. Lovely way to travel. My travel tip is I take a small power strip to increase plug capacity in the room. Also, I never leave home without ear plugs. Without fail, the Amtrak employees who work these long haul routes are kind, patient people who provide impeccable service. In all my years of riding the rails, they’ve never disappointed.
I just tried experimenting with booking a trip from Austin to Chicago on the Texas Eagle during different weeks from August though October, 2023. The roomette cost $643 and the private room was $1,025! The family room, though, was only $785. There were cheaper options but they involved riding coach only, and switching from the Eagle to the Heartland Flyer in Ft Worth, then to a bus in Oklahoma City, then to the Southwest Chief in Newton, KS.
Great video! It’s so nice to see a review of all the rooms in one place. My son and I leave in one year exactly from Oklahoma to Florida, and I can hardly wait!!!
I also was curious about how the rooms on Amtrak would look like and now my curiosity has been fulfilled thanks to you guys. God bless and stay safe. Again thanks for sharing.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! As someone who planned an across the country rail trip 3 years ago, I would have paid money for this information. Thank you for the informative and detailed tours of each and every kind of room on Amtrak. Much appreciation to you both!
Has always been a dream to travel by train for a week or so in a sleepercar. I've done basic travel from NYC to CLE several times. What a great time. Thank you for sharing.
I did travel like this, loved it. Looks like the insides were redone , Is was very comfortable. I felt lots of room. Also remember I think your cabin cost includes 3 meals plus !!! traveling by train you may experience rail delays sometimes so remember that allow yourself extra travel time. It was great laying down watching thu the windows
Nobody cares about disabled people, and for good reason. If someone acts like they care they are only doing it because they feel social pressure are or worried about being sued.
I'm so glad you do these videos. I'm going to be traveling on Amtrak next month and I've got the bedrooms. I think one is a Viewliner and the other is the Superliner. Thanks for the heads up on the outlet situation--I'll remember to bring an extension cord. I'm sure it's going to be really exciting to see what new trains will be ordered from the new transportation bill just passed. Looking forward to your videos on that once the rail aspect is sorted out.
They aren't sweet. They are acting that way because they want your attention and validation. I guarantee this couple has a tremendous amount of problems with their relationship that they hide from their viewers, greatly due to them being disparate and incompatible races. This is also why they spend so much of their time travelling, so they can be constantly distracted by new things and don't have to get to understand each other as much, again with there being a racial incompatibility between them.
*WOW !!! I really enjoyed how you two pointed out every available feature and option for each compartment.* *When I watch movies from the 40's and 50's, I always admire the sleeping compartments. BUT, they offer so much more now. THANK YOU FOR SHOWING US AROUND !!!*
Great video! I'm also really happy that you included the assessible rooms. I don't think we see enough representation where disabled people are concerned, so I'm glad you included those folks. Thank you!
The burgundy marled seats seem to be a newer setup. When I rode it a few years ago, the rooms did not seem very clean and the hall restrooms were definitely NOT clean. They were a mess and one was out of order and they were not cleaned during my 2 day trip; and turned me off from riding the train again. I thought the prices were way too high but was willing to try it for the train experience. But considering how it was maintained, I decided that it wasn't worth all the extra money. I'll fly and get to a clean hotel room quicker, rather than take a dirty train car ride again.
At last!! A review of all Sleeper car accommodations on Amtrak. When the new Superliners & Viewliners were introduced in the 80's & early 90's, the only electronic devices then were electric shavers & bulky camcorders, so electrical outlets weren't in great demand. Today, the more the better & it's good to see Amtrak's keeping up with the times with Viewliner II's. Waiting to see if they will do electrical upgrades on Superliners & Viewliner I's. The configuration of the Viewliner II's accessible bedroom is weird with the toilet next to the door, but I guess it was necessary in order to be ADA compliant. Is there a privacy curtain for the toilet in this bedroom? Many might find it inconvenient by not having a toilet in Viewliner II roomettes, but I get it. It's great to see Viewliner II rooms can be unlocked from the outside. Many may have concerns as to whom has access to these keys. I'm sure there have been medical episodes when staff would need to force entry to get to unresponsive sole travelers. These things happen. Good job!
Thanks for your kind comments! Yes, there is a curtain in that room that can separate it out. I think we have an older video of just that room that might show it more in depth.
Comment by Carmencita: An attendant will come to get your foom set for sleeping. They will bring the upper bed down. So, you need not worry about how to do it. They will do the same in the morning to get the beds back into chairs.
The rooms are so well designed! They look dated now, but you can still see all the thoughts put into the design, like the rounded corners, all the last lighting essentials, and that fold up sink! These tiny houses today could really take inspiration from these sleeping rooms!
I’ve traveled by train decades ago and swore I wouldn’t again simply because I bought only a passenger coach ticket. After watching your demonstration of all the sleeper cabins, I will definitely try out. Plus, my daughter wants to experience riding the train. Excellent job!!!
If you're black don't ride the train. And don't go around or associate with white people either. But who am I kidding? You won't be able to afford it anyway, unless you put it on a credit card.
This is sooooo useful, thank you both. We've been in the Viewliner Roomette and the Viewliner Bedroom. My husband is 6'3 and we both fit on the bottom be in the bedroom.
That's great to know. We're thinking about travelling with our young child. I was wondering if one of us adults world have to take the top bed so our child and the other parent have to sleep down below. But if two adults fit in the bottom bed, that is a better option.
This is very informative. I always wondered about the sleeping accommodations on Amtrak. Often thought about a train trip and this is helpful. Thanks. 🙂
Amtrak trains are so outdated, European trains have all the bells and whistles, as rich as this country is, there is no excuse for our trains to look this old.
I can't give Amtrak enough praise. I rode on the Empire builder. In 2016 I had stage 3 breast cancer and had just finished my chemo and radiation and was so sick and burned from it. I was going back to where my ex was in Michigan. I spent one night in a coach seat and I was miserable. I asked the coach attendant about upgrading to their cheapest room so I could lay down and be a little more comfortable. At first the conductor said it was going to be about 300.00 to do the upgrade. I was in tears but I caught a look between the conductor and another car attendant and as soon as he left the attendant said come with me. He took me back to the sleeper car and put me in a bedroom which had its own bathroom and shower. He said to just keep it quiet and take a nap and at dinner he would bring me a meal. He couldn't fix the bed up but that was ok. My service dog and I had a great nap and when I woke up he had a box meal ready for me. It was wonderful being able to take a shower and change my dressings on my burns. The only time we had to leave room was to take my dog out for a potty break. We slept good and got up in the morning to coffee and pastries. We were running really late getting into Chicago so we had to spend the night in a sleeper car. I got on my connection to Michigan the next afternoon. They did a wonderful job of feeding us and making sure we were comfortable. A couple of years later I rode the Empire builder but going west this time. I had the same car attendant and the same sleeper car attendant was on the trip. I was able to thank them and let them know how appreciated their kindness and they remembered me! I was so happy to tell the conductor about what his attendants had done and how gracious and kind they were. He looked at the attendants and just smiled. I sent the company a letter about their empire builder attendants. All in all it was a wonderful trip.
On stops that are 10 minutes or longer you can take the to a dirt or grassy area to do the business and if does a number 2 pick it up, put it in a plastic bag, and dispose at any trash cans at the station preferably outside.
Oh my goodness~ Yes! I can't believe I found this post =) So grateful to you both for giving such a comprehensive look at all of these rooms/cars. My husband & I have been wanting to plan some train trips, & it really is tough to picture what they're actually like from the 'spec' type depictions on the website. Especially helpful is that you two are about the same size as we are, so I can get a grasp of headroom, etc Thank you SO much for posting this, & I hope you all are having some awesome rail rides~ who knows, maybe we'll see out & about some time =) ~Dan & Samantha Whitson, AZ/USA
You folks are the BEST!! I have been trying to figure out the differences in the rooms/roomettes for like ever! Now, you've done that for me in 33.04mins!!
This is awesome. I have traveled cross country using Amtrak coach as a round trip from East Coast (NJ) to West (NM) and eventually relocated to Albuquerque, NM 11 years ago via Amtrak after sending my personal items ahead. I sure enjoyed your quick tours as I am thinking about traveling by Amtrak again to California and Arizona to visit family and friends. I am now looking into Roomettes. I am excited again. Thank You so much !🥰
Thank you for sharing this video. I remember taking a sleeper car as a kid back in the 70s with my mom across country. We went from NC to Chicago for a family reunion and then afterwards to California for the rest of the summer and then drove all the way back with the rest of my family. It was such a wonderful experience. I keep saying that I want to do it again and also travel in a private room along the Pacific Coast highway and then up into Vancouver or Whistler. I am going to start looking into it.
You should, I've procrastinated about everything and have come to a place in life (unfortunately) that I will never be able to do so many things that I could of done during my life. I guess what I'm trying to say is, Do it before it's too late so you don't wind up like me.
This was so relaxing. Thank you. Who else was daydreaming about redesigning these for present day? How much fun would a round trip tour circling the entire US be if you had a bedroom like you find in modern aircraft (think etihad airways "residence" bedroom on the A380 ,or for the high end, their "apartment"). They manage to make such excellent use of space while still designing something that feels clean, modern, comfortable and is a place you look forward to experiencing. Amtrak could do this then sell vacation packages like cruise lines...stop in ny for 1 night, stop in chicago for a night, stop in austin for a night. Wouldn't that be a great vacation! It wouldn't take much marketing once your interiors are desirable again.
Having traveled by Amtrak in the sleeping cars for many years, I can't think of any improvement I would make. So private, so peaceful, zero stress. The rhythm of the rails contributes to being lulled to the best sleep ever. Quantas first class over the Pacific was fine for sleeping, but public in comparison with Amtrak. Amtrak is a blissfull return to the womb. All meals in the dining room were included with the sleeping car. Always a delightful meal, phenomenal, though limited, choices, superbly prepared on every line I've been on. The European-style dining seating guarantees good company, meeting others of different life paths you wouldn't likely meet otherwise. [I haven't traveled during the Covid-19 pandemic. Airborne = I avoid groups, although the air circulation in the sleepers is excellent.] Everything has been considered.
At one time this country had real trains that had real bedrooms so that the people could get some rest. But anymore, all we have is Amtrak and the prices are expensive, plus, no real dining cars. It is a shame that we're losing some really great things and have junk instead.
No real dining cars? What train were you on? The dining cars have real cotton tablecloths, china, napery, and stainless flatware for breakfast and dinner. Fresh flowers. Lunch may be more casual, I often skip it, being still full from a late breakfast, so it doesn't stick in my memory.
@@grovermartin6874 I'm so glad you said that! I was saddened by what i thought was the loss of the dining car, but I guess maybe they don't all have it and that person's train didn't have it.
Found this vid by accident, but I'm glad I did! Very detailed and thorough. I always wanted to travel by train, now I AM. Thank you so much for the tours!
Took the Empire Builder from Chicago to Portland two years ago. Great fun and very comfortable roomette. Meals delicious and included in your fare. However, the shared toilets are TINY (similar to an airplane toilet) and very challenging for a plus sized person.
I also struggle with the toilets on the empire builder (ive got lots to love and I'm taller than average), but can usually make the handicapped toilet work for me just fine. Still, it would be nice to have more space for my frame.
It was nice to view your videos. I traveled on Amtrak, Roomette in Aug 2021 from St. Louis, MO - Longview, TX, + bus to Houston, TX. Next trip I booked a Family Bedroom, let's see how it looks like from Los Angeles, CA - Houston, TX. It will be fun to see the landscape, dinning on Amtrak!
Overall the Viewliner (Eastern train) rooms are more smartly designed. The upper bunk has a LOT more head space than the Superliners. And the individual fans are a big plus. The toilet inside Viewliner I rooms is a mixed bag. If you are traveling alone or have serious public toilet aversions it's probably a good thing. Personally I'd usually rather use a shared bathroom which Viewliner I cars unfortunately don't have any of except in the coach or lounge cars. The Superliner family bedroom we tried most recently was very awkward despite the relatively large size. The only outlet was bizarrely 5 feet off the ground on the side of the closet wall. The windows were very small. Its only benefit is that it can sleep 1 more person (albeit only a child) than the other room types. Superliners also have lots of luggage space downstairs. Viewliner cars have ZERO shared luggage space in the sleepers so you either need to pack very lightly to fit your bag into the overhead compartment or plan on your bag hanging out in the shower room or something. It's a big bummer, easily the worst part of the Viewliner product for me. Overall, a roomette is a great choice for 1 person and doable for 2 but you have to be good at sharing a VERY VERY small space day and night except for whatever time you spend dining or in sightseer lounge.
This is a must-watch video for anyone making plans to travel by train in the US. I had watched several of your other videos before I took a trip in a Viewliner Roomette. That's how I knew to take a power adapter cube with me -- and the people in the next roomette did not! (I had brought two, so they were able to borrow one of mine.) One thing I'd mention is to be careful of the profile of the power adapter. If it sits too flush to the wall, it might not fit well because there's a bit of a lip under the wall socket. I loved my trip, and I can't wait to do it again.
This was very interesting, I just rode the train for the first time last month and we just did regular seats since it was only a 9 hour ride. The regular seats were surprisingly roomy, I just thought the bathroom was fairly dirty. The one on the train back home was a lot better though so it must vary.
I have watched several different videos on Amtrak from different people. Several of the videos do mention the "bathrooms" are dirty which is very disappointing.
Your comment reminds me of the three times I wasn't able to book sleeping accommodations because of last minute plans. On one, from NYC to West Palm Beach at peak holiday time, the coach car was a perfect temperature, the teenagers went to the club car, and it was pleasantly quiet and dark enough. Seat back, leg rest up, I always take my pillow. Slept blissfully almost the whole way! One other trip would have been fine, except I was trapped by a woman who was compelled to share her life's story. Not as bad as the Lufthansa flight trapped by the boisterous lullaby-belting Hamburger, and the train seats are more comfortable, but that's part of the caprice of travel. I am enjoying your video, it brings back great memories, and makes me ready to train again. The greenest way to go, by far!
Such amazing attention to detail! I’ve been debating doing a cross country trip on a train, but y’all just sold me! Thank you so much so showing all the room options!
When I was a boy we traveled by Pullman from L.A.to Salt Lake City by train to see my Grand Parents.The beds were comfortable. The trip was mostly at night I still have fond memories of those trips.
i commented on another of your videos and again, love your in depth reviews and tips. one thing to mention is that Superliners do NOT run on the Eastern side of the country because of clearance issues with the taller cars. the infrastructure in the east can not accommodate the excess height cars and those trains are limited to Viewliners. conversely the Veiwliners being the older style of cars are being supplanted on the west coast runs by the newer Superliners. we had a Viewliner roomette from Atlanta to New Orleans the middle of October based on YOUR comment about taking that part of the Crescent in one of your videos i watched. my wife and i are starting to talk about our next rail adventures next year
@@GroundedLifeTravel so LAST October we went from our home on the east side of Michigan to Chi-town then on the Texas Eagle to San Antonio. when we went on the Crescent we flew to Atlanta and then got on the train and didnt use the sleeping portion of our Roomette. this time (Texas Eagle) we did. holy CATS was that upper rack hard to get into! and i like my feet 'free' but i also put my arms over my head and i need about another foot of length... oh well! we wanted to make this 3rd year of 3 in a row but our vacations and my after work hours work, just doesnt jibe so probably no trip for us this year 😞. have you hear or do you KNOW, when traditional dining might return to Amtrak? we had the flexible menu on the Crescent and the T.E. and when we left San Antonio, after picking up a couple of coaches coming from New Orleans (Sunset Limited?) those passengers heading north to Chicago were PISSED! they went from a day of Traditional with china and metal flatware to plastic and plastic. to add insult to injury they were 2 hours late getting in so all of our sleepers were between the coach class and the cafe car so we had all manner of traffic through the passageway. ugh. i dont want to say there is a caste system on the trains but part of the charm of a sleeper is less noise, less distraction, less commotion but no one wants to leave the door closed all day long. we MIGHT make it out east in the spring. my bride wants to see the cherry blossoms in DC. we'll grab the Capitol Limited in Toledo Oh. its only about a 3 hour drive down. OR take a 5 hour trip to Chicago and get on...
@@truthsayers8725 if you had a bad experiene on the train or problems on the train you can call 1800 USA rail and they will give you a partial voucher for a future trip.
This video was awesome. Straight to point. Extra detailed 👌 just perfect. Very educational especially because I always wondered how many different rooms amtrak had for long travel. So this was great!!!!!
🤣Now you all kind of know what living in a small space is like for us TRUCKERS!! Great video. I might even be able to one day convince family members who are afraid of flying to go somewhere. 😘
The one suggestion I would make is when ever you recommend that someone bring an extension cord of any sort, that it be a surge protector. This will protect any electronic equipment that’s plugged into it to some extent.
My 84 year old mother and I will be taking a 2nd trip to Austin in May 2022 and I have really appreciated these videos. We did a roomette the first time but definitely have reserved the bedroom this trip. I so appreciate all the tips and information. I think the bedroom will be the best for us more roomy and we have the bathroom and shower in the room and it appears there is more room on the upper berth (I have a phobia which drove me crazy in the roomette). The best part is we don't have to leave the room if we choose and we have the leisure of doing out personal care whenever. another good thing is that the bedroom on superliner is on the upper level which will make it easier for my mom to go to the dining car or observation car if she chooses.
We’ve taken the train in the sleeper from St..Louis to Portland many times. The attendant has coffee and juice ready in the AM and takes care of the beds. The Empire Builder is a wonderful train trip and should be on Senior’s bucket list. Unless they have changed, all meals are provided with sleepers.
That is correct all meals are provived for all sleeper cars and all train routes besides 1 or 2. On the Empire Builder it is traditional dinning till it splits up in Spokane, and then the portland train section will have flexible dinning since no dinning car but will have an observation car, while the Seattle part will have no observation car but have traditional dinning.
My husband and I took the train from Los Angeles to Seattle a few years ago. We reserved a roommette for the two of us. We didn't know what to expect. We laughed when we realized the tiny beds folded down from the wall, stacked over each other, bunk bed style. We would be sleeping separately. It was our honeymoon! Hahaha. We did thoroughly enjoy our trip, however. Great views, great meals, great service. We want to do another train trip but this time reserve a bigger room with a bed we can both sleep in. 😉
Great video explaining different rooms. Only one missing is Viewliner I accessible bedroom. Its similar to regular Viewliner I bedroom but bathroom is larger and I believe no separate chair in room. Its very different from Viewliner II accessible bedroom.
Hmm that confirms that if my partner and I ever ride the California Zephyr we'd want to do the bedroom instead of the roomette...even if just for the little extra top bunk space. Shame it's so expensive though
Watching this in my roomette from Chicago back to Minneapolis.! We loved the roomettes- got 2 of them as I have 2 tall teenagers and it was great. Good food, nice staff, comfortable ride. Worth it.
I was going to surprise my partner with an overland cruise onboard Amtrak, thanks for letting me know the accommodations available because none of them could suit our needs, I was thinking the family room or the accessible room would do, but no. You saved me hours of research, heartache and now I need something else for our 22nd anniversary.
I took a couple train rides up the West Coast & I was absolutely impressed & had so much fun! Such BEAUTIFUL scenery( in the Fall) & views & huge seating & window views!( except for a tiny( like the airline seats) on one of the trains… I met so many nice ppl & I loved the bubble cat views & seats. The meal was excellent dining, even though it was my first time & I was traveling alone… WAY better than flying! The only problem I had was that one tiny commuter? Ride & there was a huge delay on waiting for my train…. I’m not sure if the price difference to fly or train ride, but I know I enjoyed it so much more than flying( or bus) or car drive.
👋👋👋Thank you so much for showing all of those Rooms. I often wondered what a Sleeper looks like and now that's I know I will definitely know that I get the Access Room for Disabled. Great Video!!!!🙂💜
They will bring them. They also will do this if you are a disabled traveler in a standard car. Lots of people who use wheelchairs prefer to take the train when possible (me included!) because airlines have a terrible track record of damaging or outright destroying wheelchairs.
Thanks for the tour, I have always wanted to take a trip on Amtrak but I wasn’t sure how it would be because I have to use a walker, now I see it is definitely possible.
Thank you so much for such an excellent review. ... I only travel on Amtrak and love their roomettes and large bedrooms also. .. I love sleeping on the top beds as a rule!! .. So happy to see you both again! ... God Bless You Always, Happy Travelling!! .. Have a beautiful Christmas Holiday! ... CC
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I always wondered what the rooms looked like. Thank you for making this.
Our pleasure!
Thanks for caring, and sharing.
I am Terra- Forming Cyber Space, Creating Technology, and Redirecting Human Psychological Pathways.... ruclips.net/video/BGX67h-DdgQ/видео.html
@@hiufuxthevideographer9877....
These rooms are very expensive! Any tips on getting discounts?
This was about 28 times more useful than anything put out by Amtrak.
Thank you!
Excellent job! I’m a retired Train Attendant and Conductor so I really appreciate your thoroughness and honesty in your videos. Keep up the great work and stay safe! Have a blessed Christmas and wonderful New Year!
Thanks and thanks for watching!
How does that full width room work? Where is the hallway? lol
Is there any place on trains these day to smoke cigarettes
@@cherylyoung440 no. They have Smoke Stops every few hours.
@@yjwrangler7819 the Family and Disabled rooms are on the lower level at opposite ends of the car. The hallway ends at each room’s door.
As a single and older traveler, i always use the roomette. The only way to travel by train at my age, with lots of space to put my feet up, and the train attendants re wonderful. I took my mom with me one year, so i also have slept in the. Upper bunk. Brace your knee in the net, it helps you sleep more securely. I love the mixed seating at meals and have met lots of interesting people. I love, love, love, the train!
Thanks for sharing!
I like how she explains everything in detail and leaves no stone unturned. What brought me here was me riding the amtrak from home which is DC down to Tampa, FL. Although it wasn't my first time I never knew that they had rooms etc. Nevertheless she needs to advertise for Amtrak directly bcuz she is awesome at it! She even measures the damn bed for crying out loud lls. I hate people that give tours and leave things out, it blows me!!!
Thanks we appreciate it!
Curious how you never knew they had rooms? Everytime I ever booked with Amtrak they always asked me if I wanted Coach, a Roommette, Bedroom or Family Bedroom.
The rooms are stupid expensive though. We wanted to take Amtrak out west and went from SC to San Francisco which was across 3 trains: Crescent to DC, Capitol Limited to Chicago then California Zephyr to San Fran. First 2 trains I took the Roomette, the 54 hour long Zephyr I went with the Bedroom and grand total was $4200. To go Coach that whole trip was like 300 something lol
BECAUSE of @groundedlifetravel, my wife and i have started to travel on Amtrak. we missed our 3rd year in a row of fall train trips because work is gut us all goofed up this year
Wave " hi" when you pass through Lakeland on your way to Tampa the next time!
When I was a child back in 1954, My folks took me on the train from Chicago to Los Angeles,. Some of my Best memories are of those trips. Sleeping in the upper bunk, with the blue nighlite,looking out the small window. The Dome Diner, tables with pink or white linen, gold colored flatware, roses on every table. Appetizers before lunch or dinner,. Playing old maid in the club car with new friends. Feeling special traversing from car to car. The friendliness of the porters and Passengers. Then we went to San Francisco on the Starlight! Wonderful During adolescent years traveled alone on Northern Pacific line. I still had the Best sleep--- the movement and sounds of the train are embedded. Surprisingly, both my brother and ex husband have rooms in their houses dedicated to their model train set ups. Wish they were used morew, people could stand to slow down.☺️☺️☺️
I AGREE this country needs to slow down an enjoy life, everyone is too stressed out.
I worked for the bnsf railroad for 37 years on the track department and have never been on an a train trip but am planning on a denver to san Francisco tril next may, All the videos I've seen they say there's no internet but on the amtrack booking site it shows internet is this new or ???
🤔🙄🙄🥴🙄🥴🙄🥴
I've taken both my boys cross country! I bet you met my grandpa, he worked for Amtrak for years.
It is only works on path by highway when it goes away from the highway no internet access.
I travel by plane most of the time when traveling. However, it’s always been a desire of mine to travel from the East-West coast in a sleeper car. After reviewing your video, I wasn’t aware of all the various sleeper cars Amtrak had available. Now that you’ve shared all the available options, I’m looking forward of making this a reality in the very near future. Thanks for all the detailed information you and Rob provided!
You are welcome!
I went from the east coast to the west coast on Amtrak about 10 years ago in a sleeper car, best decision ever made.
Same I Have To Do This
West of Chicago will likely be In a Superliner /Superliner II coach
What train is this on? I want to book this exact room. I don't think I would be quite a claustrophobic in this car.
What a fantastic vlog and you both are so good at explaining everything. Years ago (1970s) my husband, son and I shared a sleeper and while using the enclosed dimly-lit bathroom, I accidentally grabbed the handle for the shower instead of flushing the toilet. 🤣 Another time my elderly mother and I left St. Paul in below zero snowy weather and settled into this huge room at the end of the car (circa 1988). We were in our pajamas in bed as this train was barreling at what seemed 100 miles an hour and I suddenly climbed out of the top bunk, put on my clothes, winter coat and gloves and climbed back in bed. I explained to my mother that if the train crashed in the blizzard at those speeds, I wanted to be prepared. Pretty soon she got up and dressed the same. Then we laughed all the way to Montana. I had traveled MANY times across Montana and North Dakota back in the 1960s and the train was often 24 hours late getting into Minneapolis in the winter. Freight trains had priority. I couldn’t afford a roomette and women wore skirts and dresses on the train back in those days. Hopefully, one of these days I will enjoy the more modern conveniences.
Thanks and thanks for sharing your stories, they are awesome!
What a great post! Neat to hear this.
@VintagePs 😆😆 that's so funny, I could imagine putting a coat and getting back in your bunk.😆👍🏾
Enjoyed your stories!
Freight trains still have priority because they own the railroad track. This was explained to me by a conductor.
Ive watched a ton of sleeper train reviews/tours and this is by far the best! I especially appreciate how thorough you were with the accessible cabins, no one ever covers those! I'm wheelchair dependant and what might be a little inconvenience for an able bodied person can be a nightmare for me. Can't wait to take a trip, now! Also, you two are so adorable! 💚🙏🕊
Glad it was helpful!
We always had the roomette when we’d travel across country. We loved it. All meals included and so relaxing. Just lay back and enjoy the view. You can NEVER be in a hurry as many things happen to delay trains (weather, maintenance, crashes with cars, etc. ) It also is VERY pricy, but so worth it to have the privacy and comfort. I could never sleep sitting up, so coach is never an option for me on long distances.
We usually get the roomettes as well!
We took the sleeper train viewliner from NY to Ohio and it was awesome. The room was very comfortable and having the bathroom in the room was a bonus especially at night. The food on the train was delicious. The cheesecake was to die for! The crew was pleasant and very helpful. We plan on doing it again,
Thank you for sharing this video👌👏👏
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Thank you! I’m planning a similar trip with two friends.
@@GroundedLifeTravel who do I contact and what’sthe cost
Thank you for this video fully explaining each room /space. It was extremely helpful showing accessible options as it allows the disabled passenger to plan their travel needs accordingly. One less thing to worry about.
Thanks for watching!
I have never been on a train but I have contemplated trying it. My daughter lives on the west coast and I live in the east coast. I am retired so I have time to travel and I think that I will go visit her via train. Thank you for this very informative information.
I like the way she describes these rooms. She gets right to the point with succinct verbal description.
Thanks!
Yes and even touched tha filthy garbage can and toilet too
@@MiMi-ce3ss I'm sure they're cleaned lol.
@@RedRoseSeptember22 I'm sure too but why touch everything anyways. Just point. Yuk omnivirus, covid, filth, kid boogies, just point to it
She touches way too may surfaces. She sounds like she's OCD? Roomette with my own shower and toilet is all I'm interested in. The Amtrak Zephyr is the best train to travel across country.
OMG...I had no idea that train travel was so accommodating! This option is a pandemic plus and, unlike airplanes, I haven't observed any videos with obscene passenger attacks/rants on Amtrak. Thank you for a very thorough video!
Thanks for watching!!
I saw a woman in coach being attacked by 2 teenagers. It was vicious. Teenagers were thrown off the train in-between 2 small towns in a rural area.
@@jacqwilson7435. Young people don't know how to behave themselves.
@@jacqwilson7435Oh My Goodness 😢
I do not know anyone who travels by train more than I do as I am afraid to fly. :( This video is awesome, what a wonderful overview of all the different rooms. I do wish that Amtrak would finally update the all the trains as they are outdated. How is it the most advanced country in the world has such outdated trains? The lighting, the decor, the material, it all seems so old to me. I would also recommend to all to bring Lysol wipes and before you touch anything, wipe every single inch of your room. I do that and every time the wipe comes out black after cleaning. EWWWW. But a little cleaning does the trick. These attendants are really amazing and so nice but unfortunately have very little time to clean every crevice of the room. In this day and age of Covid, you can't be too careful. I love travelling with Amtrak, it is an adventure within an adventure. :) Happy trails.
I'm so excited. We (my mom and I) will be taking our first bedroom in 2022. Can't wait 🥰
Have fun!
Thank you for showing a wheel chair accessible room, I didnt know they had one.
Our pleasure!
Yes! Thank you so very much! I am prohibited from flying for health reasons and can only travel by road, rail or water.
I do have a question regarding corridor width: how wide are the common area corridors? I use a manual wheelchair, so I need an extra few inches, in order to be able to propel my chair, to accomodate my arms.
@@diy_nailsby_heidi_r3889 You will be almost always in the ADA Room so you can always have the attendent push you to the room, since no elevator or lifts on the train you will have no access to the observation car, or dinning car since they are on the 2nd floor but the attendent can bring you dinning to your ADA roommate and all soft drinks. Also on some stops the big ones if you want to pay for Cafe food (although you have dinning already included with your roommate) you can have the attnedent move you from the roommate to the 1rst floor of the Cafe Car.
As a kid in the 70's I took the trip from Toronto to Vancouver on a CN train for several days. I remember my grandmother yelling at us to get our heads in the window because we would look out in the mountains, it was so gorgeous. I remember my mom and grandmother laughing at how small the room was but it was very similar to these with the couches that pull out and the two bunks above. I do remember being surprised at how much rocking the train did at night. soothing and also a tiny bit scary. I remember the glass dome car to see out and the lovely dining room and club cars. Only coffee tea or milk tho! LOL Thanks for bringing back the memories!
Awesome story, thanks for sharing
Great post & very accurate. Since retiring, I’ve been a frequent traveler on various Amtrak long haul routes. One thing I didn’t hear you mention is, on some trains a family group can get 2 bedrooms with a connecting door between the two rooms just like in some hotels. I’ve traveled with my sister & her young grandson this way & it was nice to have them nearby yet we each still had our privacy. Once her grandson was safely tucked away in bed, Sis would come to my room to chat or play cards or whatever, leaving the connecting door open in case grandson woke up needing something. Lovely way to travel.
My travel tip is I take a small power strip to increase plug capacity in the room. Also, I never leave home without ear plugs.
Without fail, the Amtrak employees who work these long haul routes are kind, patient people who provide impeccable service. In all my years of riding the rails, they’ve never disappointed.
Great tips, yes, I think they call it a suite, but it is just two connected bedrooms. Would be very handy for a large group, thanks for sharing!
I just tried experimenting with booking a trip from Austin to Chicago on the Texas Eagle during different weeks from August though October, 2023. The roomette cost $643 and the private room was $1,025! The family room, though, was only $785. There were cheaper options but they involved riding coach only, and switching from the Eagle to the Heartland Flyer in Ft Worth, then to a bus in Oklahoma City, then to the Southwest Chief in Newton, KS.
Great video! It’s so nice to see a review of all the rooms in one place. My son and I leave in one year exactly from Oklahoma to Florida, and I can hardly wait!!!
That is awesome! We hope you have a great trip!
Wonderful tour of the rooms. I’ve had a cross country train ride on my bucket list and its nice to know what kind of bedrooms are available.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I also was curious about how the rooms on Amtrak would look like and now my curiosity has been fulfilled thanks to you guys. God bless and stay safe. Again thanks for sharing.
Our pleasure!
Go be a niggah somewhere else. Off the white man's internet.
You've answered all my questions about traveling on Amtrak in one of the sleeping rooms. Thank you so much!!✨✨
You are so welcome!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
As someone who planned an across the country rail trip 3 years ago, I would have paid money for this information.
Thank you for the informative and detailed tours of each and every kind of room on Amtrak.
Much appreciation to you both!
Thanks so much for your kind comments!
Has always been a dream to travel by train for a week or so in a sleepercar. I've done basic travel from NYC to CLE several times. What a great time. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you and thanks for watching!
I did travel like this, loved it. Looks like the insides were redone , Is was very comfortable. I felt lots of room. Also remember I think your cabin cost includes 3 meals plus !!! traveling by train you may experience rail delays sometimes so remember that allow yourself extra travel time. It was great laying down watching thu the windows
Dang Y’all went thru all of them. Great job! 👍🏼
Thanks!
This is a FANTASTIC demonstration of all the various flavors of rooms!!! Thank you for going through them all!!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I say the accessalbe. One is the biggest. I like it. But I d say the view liner is the way to go
YOU GUYS ARE TRAVEL PROS & FINE JOURNALISTS! THANK YOU!
Thanks!
Thank you for including disabled access, no one remembers to show access for the disabled. So thank you very much I am a wheelchair user. X😍
You are welcome, thanks for watching!
Nobody cares about disabled people, and for good reason. If someone acts like they care they are only doing it because they feel social pressure are or worried about being sued.
I'm so glad you do these videos. I'm going to be traveling on Amtrak next month and I've got the bedrooms. I think one is a Viewliner and the other is the Superliner. Thanks for the heads up on the outlet situation--I'll remember to bring an extension cord. I'm sure it's going to be really exciting to see what new trains will be ordered from the new transportation bill just passed. Looking forward to your videos on that once the rail aspect is sorted out.
Thanks for watching and have a great trip!
I've never been able to book a bedroom, how far in advance do you have to do it?
Love your video but most of all love how sweet & helpful you both are to us viewers.🥰👍
They aren't sweet. They are acting that way because they want your attention and validation. I guarantee this couple has a tremendous amount of problems with their relationship that they hide from their viewers, greatly due to them being disparate and incompatible races. This is also why they spend so much of their time travelling, so they can be constantly distracted by new things and don't have to get to understand each other as much, again with there being a racial incompatibility between them.
*WOW !!! I really enjoyed how you two pointed out every available feature and option for each compartment.*
*When I watch movies from the 40's and 50's, I always admire the sleeping compartments. BUT, they offer so much more now. THANK YOU FOR SHOWING US AROUND !!!*
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video! I'm also really happy that you included the assessible rooms. I don't think we see enough representation where disabled people are concerned, so I'm glad you included those folks. Thank you!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
The burgundy marled seats seem to be a newer setup. When I rode it a few years ago, the rooms did not seem very clean and the hall restrooms were definitely NOT clean. They were a mess and one was out of order and they were not cleaned during my 2 day trip; and turned me off from riding the train again. I thought the prices were way too high but was willing to try it for the train experience. But considering how it was maintained, I decided that it wasn't worth all the extra money. I'll fly and get to a clean hotel room quicker, rather than take a dirty train car ride again.
At last!! A review of all Sleeper car accommodations on Amtrak. When the new Superliners & Viewliners were introduced in the 80's & early 90's, the only electronic devices then were electric shavers & bulky camcorders, so electrical outlets weren't in great demand. Today, the more the better & it's good to see Amtrak's keeping up with the times with Viewliner II's. Waiting to see if they will do electrical upgrades on Superliners & Viewliner I's. The configuration of the Viewliner II's accessible bedroom is weird with the toilet next to the door, but I guess it was necessary in order to be ADA compliant. Is there a privacy curtain for the toilet in this bedroom? Many might find it inconvenient by not having a toilet in Viewliner II roomettes, but I get it. It's great to see Viewliner II rooms can be unlocked from the outside. Many may have concerns as to whom has access to these keys. I'm sure there have been medical episodes when staff would need to force entry to get to unresponsive sole travelers. These things happen. Good job!
Thanks for your kind comments! Yes, there is a curtain in that room that can separate it out. I think we have an older video of just that room that might show it more in depth.
Comment by Carmencita: An attendant will come to get your foom set for sleeping. They will bring the upper bed down. So, you need not worry about how to do it. They will do the same in the morning to get the beds back into chairs.
The rooms are so well designed! They look dated now, but you can still see all the thoughts put into the design, like the rounded corners, all the last lighting essentials, and that fold up sink! These tiny houses today could really take inspiration from these sleeping rooms!
Thanks for sharing
Dated? 20 years ago they were dated!
I’ve traveled by train decades ago and swore I wouldn’t again simply because I bought only a passenger coach ticket. After watching your demonstration of all the sleeper cabins, I will definitely try out. Plus, my daughter wants to experience riding the train. Excellent job!!!
Thank you!
The difference in price between a regular coach seat and roomettes are really steep. I'd love to try a sleeper car roomette at some point , though.
The price is quite high for what you get. I just looked it up and decided it wasn’t worth it.
If you're black don't ride the train. And don't go around or associate with white people either. But who am I kidding? You won't be able to afford it anyway, unless you put it on a credit card.
@@sarcasticallyrearranged considering the price, it should be way more luxurious
This is sooooo useful, thank you both. We've been in the Viewliner Roomette and the Viewliner Bedroom. My husband is 6'3 and we both fit on the bottom be in the bedroom.
Thanks for watching!
That's great to know. We're thinking about travelling with our young child. I was wondering if one of us adults world have to take the top bed so our child and the other parent have to sleep down below. But if two adults fit in the bottom bed, that is a better option.
This is very informative. I always wondered about the sleeping accommodations on Amtrak. Often thought about a train trip and this is helpful. Thanks. 🙂
You two have made me a an absolute FAN of train travel. I cannot wait to get on the Zephyr again!
Thank you for showing the accessible rooms with such detail. I'm a wheelchair user and this is extremely helpful!
Glad it was helpful to you!
Amtrak trains are so outdated, European trains have all the bells and whistles, as rich as this country is, there is no excuse for our trains to look this old.
I can't give Amtrak enough praise. I rode on the Empire builder. In 2016 I had stage 3 breast cancer and had just finished my chemo and radiation and was so sick and burned from it. I was going back to where my ex was in Michigan. I spent one night in a coach seat and I was miserable. I asked the coach attendant about upgrading to their cheapest room so I could lay down and be a little more comfortable. At first the conductor said it was going to be about 300.00 to do the upgrade. I was in tears but I caught a look between the conductor and another car attendant and as soon as he left the attendant said come with me. He took me back to the sleeper car and put me in a bedroom which had its own bathroom and shower. He said to just keep it quiet and take a nap and at dinner he would bring me a meal. He couldn't fix the bed up but that was ok. My service dog and I had a great nap and when I woke up he had a box meal ready for me. It was wonderful being able to take a shower and change my dressings on my burns. The only time we had to leave room was to take my dog out for a potty break. We slept good and got up in the morning to coffee and pastries. We were running really late getting into Chicago so we had to spend the night in a sleeper car. I got on my connection to Michigan the next afternoon. They did a wonderful job of feeding us and making sure we were comfortable. A couple of years later I rode the Empire builder but going west this time. I had the same car attendant and the same sleeper car attendant was on the trip. I was able to thank them and let them know how appreciated their kindness and they remembered me! I was so happy to tell the conductor about what his attendants had done and how gracious and kind they were. He looked at the attendants and just smiled. I sent the company a letter about their empire builder attendants. All in all it was a wonderful trip.
Thanks for sharing your story!
How do dogs potty on a train trip?
On stops that are 10 minutes or longer you can take the to a dirt or grassy area to do the business and if does a number 2 pick it up, put it in a plastic bag, and dispose at any trash cans at the station preferably outside.
Oh my goodness~ Yes! I can't believe I found this post =) So grateful to you both for giving such a comprehensive look at all of these rooms/cars. My husband & I have been wanting to plan some train trips, & it really is tough to picture what they're actually like from the 'spec' type depictions on the website. Especially helpful is that you two are about the same size as we are, so I can get a grasp of headroom, etc
Thank you SO much for posting this, & I hope you all are having some awesome rail rides~ who knows, maybe we'll see out & about some time =) ~Dan & Samantha Whitson, AZ/USA
Really glad it was helpful to you, maybe we will see you on the train!
You folks are the BEST!! I have been trying to figure out the differences in the rooms/roomettes for like ever! Now, you've done that for me in 33.04mins!!
Thanks so much, really glad it was helpful!
This is awesome. I have traveled cross country using Amtrak coach as a round trip from East Coast (NJ) to West (NM) and eventually relocated to Albuquerque, NM 11 years ago via Amtrak after sending my personal items ahead. I sure enjoyed your quick tours as I am thinking about traveling by Amtrak again to California and Arizona to visit family and friends. I am now looking into Roomettes. I am excited again. Thank You so much !🥰
Thank you for sharing this video. I remember taking a sleeper car as a kid back in the 70s with my mom across country. We went from NC to Chicago for a family reunion and then afterwards to California for the rest of the summer and then drove all the way back with the rest of my family. It was such a wonderful experience. I keep saying that I want to do it again and also travel in a private room along the Pacific Coast highway and then up into Vancouver or Whistler. I am going to start looking into it.
You should, I've procrastinated about everything and have come to a place in life (unfortunately) that I will never be able to do so many things that I could of done during my life. I guess what I'm trying to say is, Do it before it's too late so you don't wind up like me.
This was so relaxing. Thank you.
Who else was daydreaming about redesigning these for present day? How much fun would a round trip tour circling the entire US be if you had a bedroom like you find in modern aircraft (think etihad airways "residence" bedroom on the A380 ,or for the high end, their "apartment"). They manage to make such excellent use of space while still designing something that feels clean, modern, comfortable and is a place you look forward to experiencing. Amtrak could do this then sell vacation packages like cruise lines...stop in ny for 1 night, stop in chicago for a night, stop in austin for a night. Wouldn't that be a great vacation! It wouldn't take much marketing once your interiors are desirable again.
You have fantastic ideas-I’d really like to travel the ways you suggested!
Having traveled by Amtrak in the sleeping cars for many years, I can't think of any improvement I would make. So private, so peaceful, zero stress. The rhythm of the rails contributes to being lulled to the best sleep ever. Quantas first class over the Pacific was fine for sleeping, but public in comparison with Amtrak. Amtrak is a blissfull return to the womb. All meals in the dining room were included with the sleeping car. Always a delightful meal, phenomenal, though limited, choices, superbly prepared on every line I've been on. The European-style dining seating guarantees good company, meeting others of different life paths you wouldn't likely meet otherwise. [I haven't traveled during the Covid-19 pandemic. Airborne = I avoid groups, although the air circulation in the sleepers is excellent.]
Everything has been considered.
I am Terra- Forming Cyber Space, Creating Technology, and Redirecting Human Psychological Pathways.... ruclips.net/video/BGX67h-DdgQ/видео.html
Or like the Japanese trains extremely modern.
These ARE present day. 😂
My first sleeper car experience was a view liner 1 roomette. The second one was a view liner 2 roomette. Love the new ones.
At one time this country had real trains that had real bedrooms so that the people could get some rest. But anymore, all we have is Amtrak and the prices are expensive, plus, no real dining cars. It is a shame that we're losing some really great things and have junk instead.
No real dining cars? What train were you on? The dining cars have real cotton tablecloths, china, napery, and stainless flatware for breakfast and dinner. Fresh flowers. Lunch may be more casual, I often skip it, being still full from a late breakfast, so it doesn't stick in my memory.
@@grovermartin6874 I'm so glad you said that! I was saddened by what i thought was the loss of the dining car, but I guess maybe they don't all have it and that person's train didn't have it.
Very informative video. It is a burning desire of mine to travel by train, but a washroom of my own is a MUST!!!!
Found this vid by accident, but I'm glad I did! Very detailed and thorough. I always wanted to travel by train, now I AM. Thank you so much for the tours!
You are welcome, thanks for watchinig!
Nice, thank you. Wish they still had cars like they did in the wild west days, so fancy.
Took the Empire Builder from Chicago to Portland two years ago. Great fun and very comfortable roomette. Meals delicious and included in your fare. However, the shared toilets are TINY (similar to an airplane toilet) and very challenging for a plus sized person.
They are small, there is usually a bigger one, in the Superliner I cars, but you have to hunt around for them
I also struggle with the toilets on the empire builder (ive got lots to love and I'm taller than average), but can usually make the handicapped toilet work for me just fine. Still, it would be nice to have more space for my frame.
when you take a train trip like this do you normally get off somewhere or spend the whole time on the train?
@@axelflyer1559The trip I want to take from DC to ATL is a direct trip with no stops.
Northern California to nyc I'm sure there are stops lol
Oh wow, this is exactly the type of videos I've been looking for! And I happen to find it the day you release it? My lucky day, thank you :)
So glad you liked it, thanks for watchiing!
I am newly disabled, in a wheelchair, and couldn't find the accessibility information online so this was awesome. Thank you
It was nice to view your videos. I traveled on Amtrak, Roomette in Aug 2021 from St. Louis, MO - Longview, TX, + bus to Houston, TX. Next trip I booked a Family Bedroom, let's see how it looks like from Los Angeles, CA - Houston, TX. It will be fun to see the landscape, dinning on Amtrak!
It is a great ride east from LA, we love the scenery of the southwest
Overall the Viewliner (Eastern train) rooms are more smartly designed. The upper bunk has a LOT more head space than the Superliners. And the individual fans are a big plus. The toilet inside Viewliner I rooms is a mixed bag. If you are traveling alone or have serious public toilet aversions it's probably a good thing. Personally I'd usually rather use a shared bathroom which Viewliner I cars unfortunately don't have any of except in the coach or lounge cars.
The Superliner family bedroom we tried most recently was very awkward despite the relatively large size. The only outlet was bizarrely 5 feet off the ground on the side of the closet wall. The windows were very small. Its only benefit is that it can sleep 1 more person (albeit only a child) than the other room types. Superliners also have lots of luggage space downstairs. Viewliner cars have ZERO shared luggage space in the sleepers so you either need to pack very lightly to fit your bag into the overhead compartment or plan on your bag hanging out in the shower room or something. It's a big bummer, easily the worst part of the Viewliner product for me.
Overall, a roomette is a great choice for 1 person and doable for 2 but you have to be good at sharing a VERY VERY small space day and night except for whatever time you spend dining or in sightseer lounge.
Excellent overview of the two different types of sleepers.
This is a must-watch video for anyone making plans to travel by train in the US.
I had watched several of your other videos before I took a trip in a Viewliner Roomette. That's how I knew to take a power adapter cube with me -- and the people in the next roomette did not! (I had brought two, so they were able to borrow one of mine.) One thing I'd mention is to be careful of the profile of the power adapter. If it sits too flush to the wall, it might not fit well because there's a bit of a lip under the wall socket.
I loved my trip, and I can't wait to do it again.
Thanks for watching, and glad you enjoyed your trip! Nice of you to share your cube!
👀 Looking like a nice accommodating setup for those that choose to travel by AMTRAK. 👌
This was the cutest and most informative tour ever! You two are absolute gems!! ✨💖
Thank you so much!!
I really enjoy your through informative videos. Thank you.
This was very interesting, I just rode the train for the first time last month and we just did regular seats since it was only a 9 hour ride. The regular seats were surprisingly roomy, I just thought the bathroom was fairly dirty. The one on the train back home was a lot better though so it must vary.
The coach seats are pretty roomy! Thanks for watching!
I have watched several different videos on Amtrak from different people. Several of the videos do mention the "bathrooms" are dirty which is very disappointing.
Yes, shane some people are inconsiderate and don't clean behind themselves in any public bathroom and especially on a long train ride 😲🙄
Your comment reminds me of the three times I wasn't able to book sleeping accommodations because of last minute plans. On one, from NYC to West Palm Beach at peak holiday time, the coach car was a perfect temperature, the teenagers went to the club car, and it was pleasantly quiet and dark enough. Seat back, leg rest up, I always take my pillow. Slept blissfully almost the whole way! One other trip would have been fine, except I was trapped by a woman who was compelled to share her life's story. Not as bad as the Lufthansa flight trapped by the boisterous lullaby-belting Hamburger, and the train seats are more comfortable, but that's part of the caprice of travel. I am enjoying your video, it brings back great memories, and makes me ready to train again. The greenest way to go, by far!
@@grovermartin6874 Bose Headphones maybe? :-)
This was a great video and so useful. The Viewliner II is my favorite roomette and bedroom accommodation.
Thank you! We have to agree with you, Viewliner II it is!
Memories. Sunset Limited. California to Louisiana. Wonderful
Love trains. 😃
Such amazing attention to detail! I’ve been debating doing a cross country trip on a train, but y’all just sold me! Thank you so much so showing all the room options!
Our pleasure!
VERY helpful video, especially now that we're both getting older, and have some mobility challenges. So much better to actuslly see the options.
We were just talking about traveling to California next spring by train, this was a great video to show the different room options! Thanks!
When I was a boy we traveled by Pullman from L.A.to Salt Lake City by train to see my Grand Parents.The beds were comfortable. The trip was mostly at night I still have fond memories of those trips.
Sounds like a great trip!
i commented on another of your videos and again, love your in depth reviews and tips.
one thing to mention is that Superliners do NOT run on the Eastern side of the country because of clearance issues with the taller cars. the infrastructure in the east can not accommodate the excess height cars and those trains are limited to Viewliners. conversely the Veiwliners being the older style of cars are being supplanted on the west coast runs by the newer Superliners.
we had a Viewliner roomette from Atlanta to New Orleans the middle of October based on YOUR comment about taking that part of the Crescent in one of your videos i watched. my wife and i are starting to talk about our next rail adventures next year
Thanks for sharing, let us know where you are going next!
@@GroundedLifeTravel so LAST October we went from our home on the east side of Michigan to Chi-town then on the Texas Eagle to San Antonio.
when we went on the Crescent we flew to Atlanta and then got on the train and didnt use the sleeping portion of our Roomette. this time (Texas Eagle) we did. holy CATS was that upper rack hard to get into! and i like my feet 'free' but i also put my arms over my head and i need about another foot of length... oh well!
we wanted to make this 3rd year of 3 in a row but our vacations and my after work hours work, just doesnt jibe so probably no trip for us this year 😞. have you hear or do you KNOW, when traditional dining might return to Amtrak? we had the flexible menu on the Crescent and the T.E. and when we left San Antonio, after picking up a couple of coaches coming from New Orleans (Sunset Limited?) those passengers heading north to Chicago were PISSED! they went from a day of Traditional with china and metal flatware to plastic and plastic. to add insult to injury they were 2 hours late getting in so all of our sleepers were between the coach class and the cafe car so we had all manner of traffic through the passageway. ugh. i dont want to say there is a caste system on the trains but part of the charm of a sleeper is less noise, less distraction, less commotion but no one wants to leave the door closed all day long.
we MIGHT make it out east in the spring. my bride wants to see the cherry blossoms in DC. we'll grab the Capitol Limited in Toledo Oh. its only about a 3 hour drive down. OR take a 5 hour trip to Chicago and get on...
@@truthsayers8725 if you had a bad experiene on the train or problems on the train you can call 1800 USA rail and they will give you a partial voucher for a future trip.
I just don’t like how the seats aren’t leather. It looks like it could be a place for bed bugs and lice.
This video was awesome. Straight to point. Extra detailed 👌 just perfect. Very educational especially because I always wondered how many different rooms amtrak had for long travel. So this was great!!!!!
Thank you!
🤣Now you all kind of know what living in a small space is like for us TRUCKERS!! Great video. I might even be able to one day convince family members who are afraid of flying to go somewhere. 😘
Yes! We have never been in one, but it would be cool to see up close
Truckers certainly can’t be claustrophobic
Side-hustle for owner-operators: Trucker Travel!
I, for one, would have LOVED it back when I could still get in/out of the cab.
Video of truck sleeper would be interesting.
Howze about videos on packing for train travel for extended or day trips? Thanking you in advance. Your positive attitude is also helpful.
This was so comprehensive & detailed! Thanks so much for making this video. Very helpful!
You are so welcome!
The one suggestion I would make is when ever you recommend that someone bring an extension cord of any sort, that it be a surge protector. This will protect any electronic equipment that’s plugged into it to some extent.
My 84 year old mother and I will be taking a 2nd trip to Austin in May 2022 and I have really appreciated these videos. We did a roomette the first time but definitely have reserved the bedroom this trip. I so appreciate all the tips and information. I think the bedroom will be the best for us more roomy and we have the bathroom and shower in the room and it appears there is more room on the upper berth (I have a phobia which drove me crazy in the roomette). The best part is we don't have to leave the room if we choose and we have the leisure of doing out personal care whenever. another good thing is that the bedroom on superliner is on the upper level which will make it easier for my mom to go to the dining car or observation car if she chooses.
Yes, the superliner bedrooms are all upper level, enjoy your trip!
We’ve taken the train in the sleeper from St..Louis to Portland many times. The attendant has coffee and juice ready in the AM and takes care of the beds. The Empire Builder is a wonderful train trip and should be on Senior’s bucket list. Unless they have changed, all meals are provided with sleepers.
What pricetag comes with the St. Louis to Portland trip, if you do not mind saying?
You can easily look up the price on their website.
That is correct all meals are provived for all sleeper cars and all train routes besides 1 or 2. On the Empire Builder it is traditional dinning till it splits up in Spokane, and then the portland train section will have flexible dinning since no dinning car but will have an observation car, while the Seattle part will have no observation car but have traditional dinning.
GREAT review! now to jump the broom and book a trip....
👍 great info...☺️👍. Please all,. Bring small bills $$$ no ATM 🏧. For tipping. Waiter/waitresses. &. Room stewards.. hard working staff
Good point.
Question, though: What would the "acceptable" gratuity be for attendents, etc.?
DIY,. Room attendant,. Perhaps $5 daily...
My husband and I took the train from Los Angeles to Seattle a few years ago. We reserved a roommette for the two of us. We didn't know what to expect. We laughed when we realized the tiny beds folded down from the wall, stacked over each other, bunk bed style. We would be sleeping separately. It was our honeymoon! Hahaha.
We did thoroughly enjoy our trip, however. Great views, great meals, great service. We want to do another train trip but this time reserve a bigger room with a bed we can both sleep in. 😉
Thanks for sharing your story!
Thank you for the tour, I've wondered what it was like in an Amtrak train.
Great video explaining different rooms. Only one missing is Viewliner I accessible bedroom. Its similar to regular Viewliner I bedroom but bathroom is larger and I believe no separate chair in room. Its very different from Viewliner II accessible bedroom.
I’d like to see that.
I have always wanted to take a cross country trip via train. I'm really enjoying your videos. Thank you for your time for putting these together.
Glad you like them!
Hmm that confirms that if my partner and I ever ride the California Zephyr we'd want to do the bedroom instead of the roomette...even if just for the little extra top bunk space. Shame it's so expensive though
Glad it helped decide
Watching this in my roomette from Chicago back to Minneapolis.! We loved the roomettes- got 2 of them as I have 2 tall teenagers and it was great. Good food, nice staff, comfortable ride. Worth it.
I was going to surprise my partner with an overland cruise onboard Amtrak, thanks for letting me know the accommodations available because none of them could suit our needs, I was thinking the family room or the accessible room would do, but no. You saved me hours of research, heartache and now I need something else for our 22nd anniversary.
Glad it was helpful!
Curious why you think it wouldn't work?
@@hannahkayee831 probably disability purposes.. 🤷🏾♀️
@@BlackberryTitties I just wanted to know his prospective... not to be a witch.
Thank you for your informative videos. Could you please tell, is the room rates are based on per person or per room? Thank you again.
It is per person, but the 2nd person will not double the rate. So if one person is $500, it might be $700 for 2 for example.
@@GroundedLifeTravel that's incorrect. If 2 people are in the same roomette it's the same price for both people.
It's the same rate for both people.
Thank you
Wow, thank you SO much for doing this. This was awesome! Have thought about doing a train trip and always wondered about the sleeping cabins.
Glad it was helpful!
Wow, that accessible room is actually better than I had anticipated. This was the one thing that had made me hesitant about traveling by train.
The Viewliner II one is really great
I took a couple train rides up the West Coast & I was absolutely impressed & had so much fun! Such BEAUTIFUL scenery( in the Fall) & views & huge seating & window views!( except for a tiny( like the airline seats) on one of the trains… I met so many nice ppl & I loved the bubble cat views & seats. The meal was excellent dining, even though it was my first time & I was traveling alone… WAY better than flying! The only problem I had was that one tiny commuter? Ride & there was a huge delay on waiting for my train…. I’m not sure if the price difference to fly or train ride, but I know I enjoyed it so much more than flying( or bus) or car drive.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us!
👋👋👋Thank you so much for showing all of those Rooms. I often wondered what a Sleeper looks like and now that's I know I will definitely know that I get the Access Room for Disabled.
Great Video!!!!🙂💜
Thanks!
Just curious about accessible room, does the room attendant also bring the meal or do you have to go to the diner car to get the meal?
I believe I read they’ll bring your meals to you.
They will bring them. They also will do this if you are a disabled traveler in a standard car. Lots of people who use wheelchairs prefer to take the train when possible (me included!) because airlines have a terrible track record of damaging or outright destroying wheelchairs.
Thank you very informative I just wish you I would have also added the prices to each room
They are different on each train, and time of year, so it would change
So great video, it looks viewliner is much better than superliner 😍😍😍
Thank you so much 😁
Thanks for the tour, I have always wanted to take a trip on Amtrak but I wasn’t sure how it would be because I have to use a walker, now I see it is definitely possible.
Glad it was helpful!
Hello Karen
Thank you so much for such an excellent review. ... I only travel on Amtrak and love their roomettes and large bedrooms also. .. I love sleeping on the top beds as a rule!! .. So happy to see you both again! ... God Bless You Always, Happy Travelling!! .. Have a beautiful Christmas Holiday! ... CC