> 1. We have 'reserved coach seats', does this mean that we actually
Not necessarily specific seats, but the right number of seats should be
reserved for you in a specific car. If you can't sit together, ask someone
travelling solo if they'd be willing to move. Or get there early so you have
first pick of the remaining seats.
Those are well worth the added cost (free soft drinks, woo!). The last time
I went from Philadelphia to NYC, I splurged on a reserved seat - and the
train I should have been on was taken out of service. Everyone got piled
onto the next train, and most of those without reserved seating experienced
a standing trip all the way to New York in the non-reserved cars.
> 5. How hard is it to sleep on the train? Do stops in the middle of
I've tried sleeping in coach half a dozen times to no avail, and finally
gave up and started getting a room.
My last experience with Amtrak sleeping was in the best accomodations they
had, and it was rough - mostly as the beds were parallel to the train, not
perpindicular. I'm convinced if they were the latter, folks would rock to
sleep like babies in a crib.
Having the power cut at 5am without a promised warning during a transfer in
Jacksonville, forcing us to wake up and gather our belongings in utter
darkness, didn't sit well with us either.
Sounder sleepers than I may have better luck with either place to sleep.
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