mbw220

Have traveled all over the world, but have never taken the train in the US. Can anyone help? We are thinking of booking two coach seats on the Capital Limited, Chicago to Washington DC. Seems like there is a choice between regular and lower lower coach seats. Does anyone know the difference? How is one assigned seats anyway? Any other help or hints for train travel? Are pillows and blankets provided? So much I don't know.

fredandgingermad

I haven't taken the Capitol limited but i've taken other routes on amtrak, for coach lower level seats appear to be priority say if you're elderly or injured for example, one has a reserved seat in the sense that you're gauranteed a seat but you get to choose where you sit! Pillows i know are supplied on some routes, but i normally take my own, i've never seen blankets provided so take your own i'm also taking the capitol limited this year but the opposite direction!

joethekay

Lower level seats are generally reserved for those who are physically handicapped or mobility impaired.
The Capitol Ltd is a superliner train, which means that coach seats, diner, lounge are on the upper level accessable by climbing stairs from the lower level, where you board.
If you can afford it, check out the roomete which is a private room which converts into two bunk beds for sleeping.
There are no pillows or blankets in coach last time I travelled this train.
Seats are reserved but are not assigned. If you board in Chicago you should have no problem to sit together as the coach attendant makes every attempt to sit passengers together that are travelling on one ticket.
Bags can be brought aboard there is enough room above your seat to store them in the overhead bin, plus there are luggage bins located on the lower level.
There will be meal service, dinner, breakfast and lunch for purchase in the dining car.
The lounge car also offers snacks and drinks for purchase.
Have a great trip!
I will be travelling from MD to Chicago on this train next week, if anything changes I will comment here.

bachslunch

If this train route has the same on-time track record as The Cardinal (runs between New York to Chicago), expect delays, perhaps of at least a couple hours, from the final scheduled arrival. A check at Amtrak's website indeed confirms a weak on-time record of 53.4% over the last 12 months for this route.

exiledprincess

I took the Cardinal last summer, but only as far as Charlottesville, VA and back.

They assign seats by your destination. Pillows (small) yes. Blankets no. I believe you can still purchase blankets onboard but not certain. You can check their website to see if they make mention of them.

I would urge you to look into the extra cost for sleeping accommodations. Based on the experiences (each way) with my seat mates last year, I wish I had.

That being said, I truly enjoyed the scenery along the way, especially through West Virginia and into Virginia.

If you are on a strict time schedule, I wouldn't be choosing the train as the tranportation method. Most of the delays are caused by freight traffic, signal problems and so forth.

mbw220

Thanks for your comments. Are there any quiet cars on the Capital Limited train? Concerned about the noise level in the coach cars, if one is trying to sleep. Also someone mentioned if you get an aisle seat, it is difficulty to sleep as people are bumping into you during the night. If you are sleeping in coach, how do you secure your valuables?

exiledprincess

Just as a clarification, Amtrak personnel assign your seats for you when you board, based on your destination. They are not pre-assigned.

exiledprincess

Sorry, didn't see your last post before responding above.

If you are traveling by coach - no frills. Just like traveling coach in an airplane - only longer with many more stops. Be prepared for families, some with babies. You need to realize that you will also have the noise (and motion) of the train itself, going over the rails, as well noise from any passing train traffic.

Personally, I'd rather have an aisle seat than a window seat. It is almost impossible to get around (or step over) a sleeping person, with the leg rest up in the fully reclining position. So you are basically trapped in that seat, unless you wish to wake your seat mate.

Securing your valuables: You keep them with you.

mbw220

Thanks again. So I'm thinking if we are in coach, we should be wearing our credit cards and cash while we sleep...correct?

fredandgingermad

i'd advise buying a money belt

nytraveler

This is nothing like traveling by train in europe. the train goes no faster than a car ad although the seats are more comfy than a plane - I would;t want to spend a whole night in one. Yes, you keep all of your valuables on your person (and your purse secured under or behind you - so someone getting off at an intermediate stop can;t take it).

Considering the very high cost and how many hours it is usually late - plane is a much better deal.

exiledprincess

I'm not sure what you mean by the "very high cost", nytraveler. My RT travel (coach) to Charlottesville, VA on Amtrak was less than $120. No way I could have flown or even driven for that price.

The speed the train travels depends on the area through which it is proceeding. They have speed limits as well. IMHO, the biggest and most common delays are caused freight traffic.

So it really depends on what you think is a "better deal" - actually seeing some of our country (inbetween the airports, that is) or being on a timetable.

fredandgingermad

i have to say i probably would rather fly in europe than taking the train but in the US i'd much rather take the train, it's cheaper, i actually see scenery instead of constant cloud oh and i love amtrak lol

tomfuller

I have ridden this route both ways. I jam my wallet in one shoe and put my glasses in the other and put my shoes under the seat next to the wall. I do bring my own blanket for overnights and sometimes use a rolled jacket as a pillow. Unless I am traveling for more than 2 weeks, I carry a canvas duffel in the 25-30 lb range that fits in the overhead bin, avoiding checking baggage that I would have to wait for at my final station.
You will have to go downstairs to the bathrooms. If you have concerns about pilferage from a bag you can use a combo lock or even a bike cable lock.

Daniel_Williams

I've taken the Capitol Limited twice westbound only, with a roommette. Passing through Western Maryland between Cumberland and Harper's Ferry is just lovely.

If you're willing to splurge or want an interesting experience, I'd recommend the roommette as a small, private place to sleep while you're on the train. I find that while I often can't sleep in coach (unless I'm lucky enough to get two seats to myself), I generally do sleep quite well in a roommette. With the roommette, your mealscome with the price of the ticket; coffee, water bottles & juice are available even at non-meal times compliments of the train. You have access to the first class lounges while you wait in DC and Chicago. Blankets, pillows and mattresses for both the upper & below berth of a roommette. You control the temperature with a thermostat. I find with a roommette, I'm pretty calm about delays and will just take an extra nap or read my book.

Have an enjoyable trip whatever you decide! Daniel

exiledprincess

Daniel, thanks for posting your thoughts. I was thinking about going out to DC again, since it's been y-e-a-r-s.

Was considering whether to drive east in VA from Charlottesville to the eastern coastline and then pick up Amtrak there or go to DC first.

MarciaGradowski

The train station is on the mall. I have stayed at the Holiday Inn which is diagonal from the Hard Rock Cafe and the Ford Theater. It is 2 blocks off of the mall Everything closes up at 5 p.m. except for night tours outside. Be sure to get your munchies for the hotel. Hotel is also site for tours to all places. You must go to the National Cathedral. By all means contact your senator months in advance to get tickets to the White House, FBI, and where the money is made. Good luck and have fun.

vjpblovesitaly

What train station is on what mall?

If you are talking about Washington, DC, everything does not close up at 5:00

tomfuller

I have walked from Union Station to the Capitol Building in about 10 minutes. The Capitol is at the east end of the Mall.
The Lincoln Memorial is at the west end.
Union Station is on top of a major Metro station. You can go anywhere from Greenbelt to the east to Reagan National and the Pentagon to the west.
Get a METRO map.

chilegalbeagle

I just bought coach tickets on the Capitol Limited from Chicago to DC for Oct 1 and paid $88. Saving the thread. Thanks everyone for all the information. Mbw ...when are you traveling?