35 hour train ride from chicago to Flagstaff?

Question

you think you'd be able to handle it?!

im set up to leave august 17.. wondering if im going to go insane or not..

tickets are for coach seats.. no dining car.

keep in mind im 16 and going alone!!

Answer 1

Here's the wrong way to ride.  Sit in your seat the whole 35 hours guarding your stuff, except to run to the lounge car to get a microwave burger.  

Here's the right way to ride.  As soon as they take your tickets, head down to the lounge car.   You've already packed a small bag, purse, f***y pack etc. with your phone, 'Pod and valuables, so not much in your bag back at your seat except a change of clothes and a book.  You enjoy the view in the lounge car, meet some new people, have interesting conversations.  

Dinner call.  You skip it, as dinners in the dining car are fairly expensive, and you've eaten already or brought food.  You go downstairs in the lounge, you also snub the microwave pizza (yuk) and settle for a soft drink, $1.75.

You enjoy the scenery for awhile, then go back to your seat and immerse yourself in a book or some tunes or a movie if you're equipped.  They dim the lights, you wind down and go to sleep early.  Good thing, since you sleep fitfully, after all you've never slept on a train before.   You do better on the ride back.

In the morning, you grab your valuables and overnight bag and head downstairs.  Take the first bathroom on the LEFT or the one all the way at the back.  Both have extra room for changing and aren't handicap so you won't get interrupted by a handicapper who needs to go!  Lock the door and spongebath with a washcloth you brought, change into fresh clothing and toss the wet washcloth into a Ziploc bag you brought for that purpose.   You could skip this part, most people do.  Nobody minds others being a little scuzzy on a long train ride.

Breakfast call - you head to the dining car. Breakfasts are very reasonably priced ($7 for most items, $2 extra for meat, $1.50 for a soft drink). So you have breakfast in the diner.   You meet a nice retired couple and have a fun conversation.

After breakfast you potter around the lounge some more then back to your seat.  Of course you head back to the lounge anytime the scenery gets good, lol!  

Lunch, you make a judgment call whether you want the microwave junk from downstairs in the lounge car, or enjoy the modestly priced lunch in the diner (about a dollar more than breakfast).  I'd go for the diner.  Then you guessed it, back and forth between your seat and the lounge as the mood suits.

That can be your trip if you want it to be.  I highly recommend it.

Answer 2

i'm taking a 28 hour ride on friday.  although the coast starlight is supposed to be the most beautiful, you will still encounter some spectacular sites.  if you can eat in the dining car for one meal, it would be worth it.  meet others and enjoy yourself.  i used to strike up conversations with folks as they boarded.  they know most about the area.  but i cared about those things.  it's all about attitude.  if you think of it as an excursion rather than a mode of transportation, it's much more of an adventure.  bytheway, i'm riding coach as well.  i've had sleeper class and it's fantastic.  that's why it's booked.  have fun.

Answer 3

Just keep in mind you can get up and stretch and walk around to keep the circulation in your legs..  That's why I much prefer riding a train than taking a Greyhound bus for long distance trips.

Bring along some distractions of course--  A good novel, handheld games like a Nintendo DS, an iPod, etc.

You will have a pleasant trip as long as whoever got the ticket for the seat next to you is unobtrusive (unless you want to make conversation).

Enjoy and have a safe trip!