Amtrak Chicago - San Francisco, Faina’s report.
Sep 24th, 2006, 05:13 PM
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Amtrak Chicago - San Francisco, Faina’s report.
In Chicago, even with the tickets, everybody’s required to get a boarding pass; this is when you know your car and the sleeper number. The view along the way is better on the right side where the odd-numbered roomettes are. Now that you have your pass, even if it’s the coach, proceed to the metro lounge of the 1st class for goodies 
Coffee, tea, muffins, packaged cookies and pretzels.
Get ready for a boring-beautiful-boring-jaw dropping-boring-amazing views. On the way I saw 2 types of deer, a fox, a flock of black swans, and all kinds of birds like vultures, ducks. If you can read in a rocking car, bring a book. Don’t count on movies - they are shown, one or 2 a day, but in the lounge car on a TV screen with everyone around talking over the sounds of the movies.
Who said the train food is not good? The only problem was the restaurant running out of it! Any gourmet restaurant would be proud of the salmon they served! The cheesecake and the fruit bowl didn’t cause any complaints. Only the veggie stir fry - what do you think was left on the last day of the travel? - was over-soy-sauced. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t replenish their food supply at the longer stops like Salt Lake City or Denver. So, even in the first class, bring some snacks. Or buy them in the snack bar, good choice of sandwiches, cheeses, etc...
We had coffee and bottled water unlimited. Juice: OJ and apple while it lasted. The car was very clean. The toilets didn’t flush during the high altitude, so for a while there was nowhere to go Maybe the attendant just didn’t want to re-set the toilets after each use?
I was in a “roomette”, the size of approximately a twin bunk bed, and the attendant makes your bed at night and transforms into 2 seats in the morning. May be a problem if both people in that compartment can’t ride backwards. The upper sleeper has a safety net to prevent the upper passenger from falling down. 2 large permanent steps to climb up. There is very little room for luggage under the seats. Plan to bring VERY little, like your pajamas and toothbrushes. The suitcases are kept downstairs.
The shower is a bit tricky. Even if you’re lucky and it is vacant, one showerhead for the whole car! try to wash yourself in a shaking place with one hand holding on to the safety handle! Picture an airplane lavatory. This is the size of the changing cell, most of the space taken by spare towels and soap bars. No shampoo - ladies‘ sanitary napkins instead. With the mostly over 65 crowd, what’s the need? Another tiny space with the shower. By the way, don’t believe the sign about the same temperature, turn the dial to adjust. The water pressure was good.
The AC in the roomette didn’t work. If you need cool air, it’s available - freezing wind in the hallway, could turn it off inside the cabin. Feeling chilly at night, I had to put warmer clothing on.
Smokers, beware! There are very few stops when the passengers are allowed to go outside. Bring some special gum to chew.
The first night was rough. The rocking of the car turned into violent shaking. We hit a thunderstorm with a tornado warning. On the last day of the trip we stopped in the middle of nowhere. The sensors showed a broken rail under the train. We were lucky not to get derailed. Add to this several stops to let a freight train pass... Being 7 hours late - is it normal?
In Emeryville, I asked the connecting bus driver, where can I catch a taxi in San Francisco at 1 am? He looked at me like I’m an alien. So I asked to make a stop at the Hyatt Embarcadero. At that stop the driver announced, this is the safest well lit place to get a taxi. Duh! A crowd of travelers made a mad dash to the several cabs available. Later I wrote a letter to Amtrak asking them to make this a mandatory stop at night. They’ve promised to look into it.
Overall, I had some fun time, met interesting people, saw some breathtaking places, and don’t regret being on an “Amtrak tour”. We did hit some fall colors. The greenery of the fir and pine trees looks old and tired. Yellow aspen leaves trembling in the sun, snow-capped spectacular Colorado Rockies, counting the tunnels and stopping after 30, Sierra Nevada and the Donner Lake from above, this will be unforgettable. But would I ever do it again? Most likely, not. Too long, too boring in between the views.
Coffee, tea, muffins, packaged cookies and pretzels. Get ready for a boring-beautiful-boring-jaw dropping-boring-amazing views. On the way I saw 2 types of deer, a fox, a flock of black swans, and all kinds of birds like vultures, ducks. If you can read in a rocking car, bring a book. Don’t count on movies - they are shown, one or 2 a day, but in the lounge car on a TV screen with everyone around talking over the sounds of the movies.
Who said the train food is not good? The only problem was the restaurant running out of it! Any gourmet restaurant would be proud of the salmon they served! The cheesecake and the fruit bowl didn’t cause any complaints. Only the veggie stir fry - what do you think was left on the last day of the travel? - was over-soy-sauced. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t replenish their food supply at the longer stops like Salt Lake City or Denver. So, even in the first class, bring some snacks. Or buy them in the snack bar, good choice of sandwiches, cheeses, etc...
We had coffee and bottled water unlimited. Juice: OJ and apple while it lasted. The car was very clean. The toilets didn’t flush during the high altitude, so for a while there was nowhere to go
Maybe the attendant just didn’t want to re-set the toilets after each use?I was in a “roomette”, the size of approximately a twin bunk bed, and the attendant makes your bed at night and transforms into 2 seats in the morning. May be a problem if both people in that compartment can’t ride backwards. The upper sleeper has a safety net to prevent the upper passenger from falling down. 2 large permanent steps to climb up. There is very little room for luggage under the seats. Plan to bring VERY little, like your pajamas and toothbrushes. The suitcases are kept downstairs.
The shower is a bit tricky. Even if you’re lucky and it is vacant, one showerhead for the whole car! try to wash yourself in a shaking place with one hand holding on to the safety handle! Picture an airplane lavatory. This is the size of the changing cell, most of the space taken by spare towels and soap bars. No shampoo - ladies‘ sanitary napkins instead. With the mostly over 65 crowd, what’s the need? Another tiny space with the shower. By the way, don’t believe the sign about the same temperature, turn the dial to adjust. The water pressure was good.
The AC in the roomette didn’t work. If you need cool air, it’s available - freezing wind in the hallway, could turn it off inside the cabin. Feeling chilly at night, I had to put warmer clothing on.
Smokers, beware! There are very few stops when the passengers are allowed to go outside. Bring some special gum to chew.
The first night was rough. The rocking of the car turned into violent shaking. We hit a thunderstorm with a tornado warning. On the last day of the trip we stopped in the middle of nowhere. The sensors showed a broken rail under the train. We were lucky not to get derailed. Add to this several stops to let a freight train pass... Being 7 hours late - is it normal?
In Emeryville, I asked the connecting bus driver, where can I catch a taxi in San Francisco at 1 am? He looked at me like I’m an alien. So I asked to make a stop at the Hyatt Embarcadero. At that stop the driver announced, this is the safest well lit place to get a taxi. Duh! A crowd of travelers made a mad dash to the several cabs available. Later I wrote a letter to Amtrak asking them to make this a mandatory stop at night. They’ve promised to look into it.
Overall, I had some fun time, met interesting people, saw some breathtaking places, and don’t regret being on an “Amtrak tour”. We did hit some fall colors. The greenery of the fir and pine trees looks old and tired. Yellow aspen leaves trembling in the sun, snow-capped spectacular Colorado Rockies, counting the tunnels and stopping after 30, Sierra Nevada and the Donner Lake from above, this will be unforgettable. But would I ever do it again? Most likely, not. Too long, too boring in between the views.
Sep 24th, 2006, 05:32 PM
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Oh sweet Faina, this was absolutely delightful! 
How many nights were you on the train? I didn't hear you mention a roomette-mate, yet the room could fit 2. Is it like a cruise ship where you have to pay double to go as a single? And the changing cell, you mean you didn't change in your room?
Sorry for all the questions, but this is truly fascinating. I might have to try it sometime.
(Just as an edit, I did a preview and noticed that the "knee" is still there, lol!)
Glad you got back safely, even at 1 am. Fast thinking to get off at a different stop at that time of the morning!
How many nights were you on the train? I didn't hear you mention a roomette-mate, yet the room could fit 2. Is it like a cruise ship where you have to pay double to go as a single? And the changing cell, you mean you didn't change in your room?
Sorry for all the questions, but this is truly fascinating. I might have to try it sometime.
(Just as an edit, I did a preview and noticed that the "knee" is still there, lol!)
Glad you got back safely, even at 1 am. Fast thinking to get off at a different stop at that time of the morning!
Sep 24th, 2006, 05:59 PM
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Hi there Faina, sounds like Amtrak unfortunatly. Toilets don't always work, they run out of food, always late for one reason or another. I do love trains and I wish Amtrak would get there act together as it could be such a wonderful way to travel.
I am so glad that the Amtrak bus dropped you off at the Hyatt so you could obtain a taxi. Otherwise that would have been a dark, long, lonely and scary walk home!
You had an adventure, thanks for sharing your train trip with us.
Now I want to hear about your time in Chicago!!
I am so glad that the Amtrak bus dropped you off at the Hyatt so you could obtain a taxi. Otherwise that would have been a dark, long, lonely and scary walk home!
You had an adventure, thanks for sharing your train trip with us.
Now I want to hear about your time in Chicago!!
Sep 24th, 2006, 06:07 PM
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Funny you mention Donner Lake, Faina. Every time we drive through there I look at that railway line way up the hill and think that must be one of the most scenic rail spots in the country.
Thanks for the honest review. I won't be booking Amtrak soon -- not that I was going to anyway.
Thanks for the honest review. I won't be booking Amtrak soon -- not that I was going to anyway.
Sep 24th, 2006, 06:46 PM
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Oh Wonderful! Just what I want to do!You shared the tips really needed to plan ahead for individual comfort! Thanks so very much! Example, think I would take some Stop 1 & Stop 2, just in case, and some Bath Bag cloths to use in the sleeper. Are there towels in your roomette? Might pack some energybars or nuts too. They don't run out of wine do they? Was the train full or some vacancys? How was security boarding and also during your trek? Did you see a room with bath?
So nice to hear it was clean! And good food! I'm thrilled but my Hubby won't be, lol, now I want to go more than ever! I drove from Indiana back to CA and LOVED the views but think it would be fun to see with out driving so I could photograph and move around. Were the other passengers pleasant, friendly, quiet or noisy? Were you able to feel comfy enough to relax and sleep ok? I'm flying again to IN and so wish I could go by train instead. Oh well, another time. Unforgivable, all these years not having a safe clean well lit train station area where even old ladies can travel alone with out worries, especially since all the extra hours you may be given (nice way to say 7 hours? late! lol) make it impossible to plan ahead to be met by friend or family. Thank you for taking the time and effort to tell us all. OH, what train station in Chicago? Anyone remember the marble baths you could pay to use in the old days? Was that Pen Station .....
So nice to hear it was clean! And good food! I'm thrilled but my Hubby won't be, lol, now I want to go more than ever! I drove from Indiana back to CA and LOVED the views but think it would be fun to see with out driving so I could photograph and move around. Were the other passengers pleasant, friendly, quiet or noisy? Were you able to feel comfy enough to relax and sleep ok? I'm flying again to IN and so wish I could go by train instead. Oh well, another time. Unforgivable, all these years not having a safe clean well lit train station area where even old ladies can travel alone with out worries, especially since all the extra hours you may be given (nice way to say 7 hours? late! lol) make it impossible to plan ahead to be met by friend or family. Thank you for taking the time and effort to tell us all. OH, what train station in Chicago? Anyone remember the marble baths you could pay to use in the old days? Was that Pen Station .....
Sep 24th, 2006, 08:06 PM
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Kopp: the travel was scheduled for 54 hours (2 nights) + 7 hours late. I did pay a single supplement and was there alone. The payment was a little less then double.
Changing cell I meant in the shower to take your clothes off. I didn't launder it at the same time as washing
LoveItaly: posting the Chicago city part in just a few minutes!
Hello, Neopolitan!
Bodi: glad I could be helpful. What are the stop 1 and stop 2 you've mentioned? Yes, 2 towels and 2 wash cloths, and plenty of towels in the shower. And individually wrapped soaps. I knew the trains are usually late, that's why I flew to Chicago and took the train going back home.
On the train I met a couple, they've lost the payment of their BnB reservation as the train was so late, they didn't make it!
Changing cell I meant in the shower to take your clothes off. I didn't launder it at the same time as washing
LoveItaly: posting the Chicago city part in just a few minutes!
Hello, Neopolitan!
Bodi: glad I could be helpful. What are the stop 1 and stop 2 you've mentioned? Yes, 2 towels and 2 wash cloths, and plenty of towels in the shower. And individually wrapped soaps. I knew the trains are usually late, that's why I flew to Chicago and took the train going back home.
On the train I met a couple, they've lost the payment of their BnB reservation as the train was so late, they didn't make it!
Sep 24th, 2006, 10:03 PM
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Thanks for the review. I love Amtrak, but can only take so much of it at a time. All my railorading has been up & down the eastern coast, plus some cross NYS, MA, and Montreal. I look forward to some western travel someday, and enjoy reading others' experiences, good or bad.
Sep 24th, 2006, 10:36 PM
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Faina-Glad to hear you made it safely home from your adventure on Amtrak. Thanks for all the details on the train although I'm with Neopolitan, I don't think I'll be booking a train trip anytime soon.
When you wrote your letter to Amtrak about the Hyatt Embarcadaro stop, you should have mentioned to stock shampoo instead of sanitary napkins. Too funny about most of the passengers being over 65. LOL
I am glad, though, that you thought quickly about not getting off in Emeryville at 1am. I know Mr. Again would have been very worried if that had happened.
When you wrote your letter to Amtrak about the Hyatt Embarcadaro stop, you should have mentioned to stock shampoo instead of sanitary napkins. Too funny about most of the passengers being over 65. LOL
I am glad, though, that you thought quickly about not getting off in Emeryville at 1am. I know Mr. Again would have been very worried if that had happened.
Sep 25th, 2006, 01:32 AM
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Restop 1 + Restop 2 are sold in some travel, rv and pack it in pack it out camping supply and also earthquake kits store and catalogs. Number one or number two depending on which is required. They are also great for children when there is no place to go. Contains what is needed for clean sanitary spill/leak-proof disposable relief.
There are many brands of "bath in a bag" some microwavable for a warm wash. Aside from intended use, they are very nice to bathe feet after the beach or easy freshening changing shoes after exercise or hiking etc.
No Rinse is another handy product to put in a spray bottle when a shower is not available.
Was the Great Lakes Grey already closing in on Chicago? I went to boarding school in Lake Forest and could see the lake from my room, very depressing until the sunset or snow would come.....
There are many brands of "bath in a bag" some microwavable for a warm wash. Aside from intended use, they are very nice to bathe feet after the beach or easy freshening changing shoes after exercise or hiking etc.
No Rinse is another handy product to put in a spray bottle when a shower is not available.
Was the Great Lakes Grey already closing in on Chicago? I went to boarding school in Lake Forest and could see the lake from my room, very depressing until the sunset or snow would come.....
Sep 25th, 2006, 08:28 AM
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Several years ago my husband and I did an Amtrak vacation trip where we could choose any three stops anywhere. We went from Chicago through Sacramento and chose Portland, Seattle, and Glacier NP for our stops. We really enjoyed the trip, and I agree that the Donner view was especially beautiful. We went across the mid-country route and returned along the northern border.
We had the two-berth roomette, and he made me take the upper berth claiming he would be claustrophobic. It only got to me once when I woke in the wee hours and didn't immediately know where I was.
We had the two-berth roomette, and he made me take the upper berth claiming he would be claustrophobic. It only got to me once when I woke in the wee hours and didn't immediately know where I was.
Sep 25th, 2006, 05:07 PM
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Hey Faina--
It was fun to read about the trip I did only two months ago... brought back memories! I agree with you about the veggie stir-fry and also agree that some of the other dinner/lunch food wasn't bad!
"Yellow aspen leaves trembling in the sun, snow-capped spectacular Colorado Rockies, counting the tunnels and stopping after 30, Sierra Nevada and the Donner Lake from above, this will be unforgettable.
It was fun to read about the trip I did only two months ago... brought back memories! I agree with you about the veggie stir-fry and also agree that some of the other dinner/lunch food wasn't bad!
"Yellow aspen leaves trembling in the sun, snow-capped spectacular Colorado Rockies, counting the tunnels and stopping after 30, Sierra Nevada and the Donner Lake from above, this will be unforgettable.
Sep 25th, 2006, 05:10 PM
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Hit post reply by mistake.
Anyhow I enjoyed that last part that your wrote. Beautiful country. I could see how someone might be bored, but I had a good book and work to do for the less spectacular spots of the journey.
Thanks for posting. Cheers, DAN
Anyhow I enjoyed that last part that your wrote. Beautiful country. I could see how someone might be bored, but I had a good book and work to do for the less spectacular spots of the journey.
Thanks for posting. Cheers, DAN
Jun 13th, 2007, 02:09 PM
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