"Bobb":
>> So you did the same trip Denver - Oakland too ...
>> Did you have to know up front (when you buy the ticket) that you
>> want sleeper ?
Todd McComb:
> Sometimes they will have some sleepers still available, and you can
> even switch while you are on the train already. Sometimes they
> will not.
In other words, if you know you want a sleeper, you need to reserve it.
>> If you get a sleeper then that's your " day seat " too ?
>
> There is also a lounge.
In other words, you have the choice of spending time in either place.
In your sleeping-car compartment you have seats, but can pretty much
see out of only one side of the train, and one of the seats faces
backwards. On the other hand, you can close the door if you want to
be alone. The lounge car is open space with high windows.
>> How was the sleeper ? Noisy? , train rocking ? Could you hear
>> others talking /snoring etc ?
> It's OK. The rocking is actually pretty restful. Here's a tip,
> though: The economy bedrooms (they might have switched the names
> for these things recently),
Yes, they're called roomettes now.
> which are most of the sleepers, have the bunks parallel to the
> tracks, and the rocking can be a little more disconcerting that way
> ... The deluxe bedrooms have the beds crosswise...
Interesting point.
The deluxe bedrooms are now just called bedrooms, by the way. Both
types of room have an upper and lower bunk in their night configuration;
in the bedroom the lower is just wide enough that two people who are
thin and *very* friendly can squeeze into it. Each bedrooms has its
own washroom (with a shower, such as it is); roomettes don't.
The train on this route is a double-decker (called a Superliner). The
lower deck of each car is a relatively short section just between the
front and rear wheels; you board on the lower deck, but go upstairs
to walk between cars. Bedrooms are on the upper deck only; about
1/3 of the roomettes are are on the lower deck, 2/3 on the upper. The
lower deck may have more noise, the upper more motion. Most of the
washrooms shared by roomette users are on the lower deck. Personally
I prefer to be on the upper. You should be able to ask for a particular
deck when reserving a roomette.
> They're pretty much always reserved already, though.
And a good deal more expensive. I'd still opt for one if possible, though.
To complete the list, there are also "family bedrooms" meant for 2 adults
and 2 children, and "accessible bedrooms" designed for disabled users.
These both are on the lower deck, and the accessible bedroom includes a
washroom (with a curtain instead of a door).
>> "You schedule your stops as part of your overall Amtrak trip" -
>> is that something I can do with the help of an Amtrak Employee
>> over the phone from home ?
>
> You can do it with them, but it'll go a lot smoother if you know
> what you want to do when you call. You have to talk to their silly
> automated voice, "Julie" but after "Julie" figures out that you are
> trying to book something more complicated, you'll get a human.
As voice-activated automated systems go, the Amtrak one is first-rate
-- and by the way, the voice you hear really does belong to a woman
named Julie. But, yeah, for something like this you need to speak
to a human -- I think you just say "agent" to do that.
--
Mark Brader "After all, it is necessary to get behind
Toronto someone before you can stab them in the back."
msb@vex.net -- Lynn & Jay, "Yes, Prime Minister"
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