I am taking the train from Chicago to New Orleans. I have rented a sleeper car and am wondering if the doors on the sleeper cars lock? If not will my luggage be safe in there or should I check it?

Just took the Coast Starlight. the Amtrac ticket agent just told me there is a curtain not a door. Access to the sleeper cars is limited, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. I checked everything I could so I did not have to worry about things left behind.I was worried about luggage mix-ups (materials for work) but I needn't have.

If you keep your luggage with you, you might want to take a strong bike lock. There might be something to "chain" your luggage to.

Whether it's a curtain or a door, if you want to go to the dining car without your luggage, you'll want to figure out a way to secure your luggage. The bicycle lock -- in other words, a plastic-coated chain with combination or key lock -- is a good idea, but you may not find anything to wrap the chain around. I'd strongly consider taking two bags -- a larger one to check and a smaller overnighter to keep with you in the compartment. If you have jewelry, camera, etc., you may have to take all of it to the dining car with you!

Gail, Philip, and Tootle:

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't want to check my luggage so a bike lock should work great. Between my husband, myself, and my daughter we will have 3 good sized suitcases, so if I can't find anything to chain them to and I just chain the 3 of them together that whould work just fine. Someone would look awfully suspicious if they were walking down the hallway with 3 suitcases all chained together.

Thanks again,
Kathy

Just got off the Starlight again. I asked a sleeping car passenger and they said there Are doors on the sleeping rooms. They lock when you are in them, but not when you are out. Sounds like you have a great idea. Thise halls are so narrow NO one could wrestle your bags out locked together.