Hey, I have a question about my Amtrak ride from Fullerton, Ca to Penn Station, NYC?

Question

I have a few questions- I am taking the Southwest Chief to Chicago and the Lakeshore Limited from Chicago to Penn Station. My questions are-

1. Is there a car on Amtrak where I can stand outside (feel the breeze) and watch everything that passes by?

2. I have a Reserved Coach Seat....Does that mean that I cant move around the train and sit somewhere else?

3. I will be in Chicago's Union Station for 7 Hours, Does anyone know anything that might be close, that would be fun to visit? Does anyone know how to get to Wrigley field from Union station in Chicago?

4. I have my Ipod, Is there anywhere i might be able to charge it? Is there a movie area on the Southwest Chief?

5. How much are the snacks? how much is the food in the restaurant?

6. Is it Cold in the Coach seat area? (like in airplanes, it is cold)

7. Any tips on anything else, when it comes to traveling across country?

Thank You Very Much.

Answer 1

1. No. The cars are sealed containers. There are "smoker stops" where you can stretch your legs for 5 minutes or so, plus service stops which can last a good 20 minutes. Albuquerque is a good example of this - there's a market on the station platform and apparently the burritos are excellent.

2. On the Chief you'll be able to go to the lounge car. On both trains you can visit the diner at mealtimes. Maybe on the Lake Shore you can visit the diner outside of meal times to use the tables.

3. Sears tower isn't far.

4. The coach cars have one or two power sockets but they're hard to find (they're used by the cleaners, not the passengers). Take spare batteries instead. No dedicated movie area, though the lounge car sometimes shows movies on the TV screens at night.

5. Snacks cost a little more than in shops, but you can bring your own onboard. No alcohol though, but you can buy onboard. See http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentSer... for sample diner menus.

6. It can be a little cool at night. Take a blanket and some pillows.

7. Reading material, talk to other passengers, admire the scenery, turn OFF your phone, don't worry about being late. The Lake Shore is known as the Late For Sure for good reason.

Answer 2

You can take a Metra commuter train down to the Museum of Science and Industry.  It is $11 admission.  Good model railroad.  Trains run frequently and the fare is between $2 and $2.50.

Answer 3

oh you can move and vist others on the train

but you might find it hard to sleep in the coach seats

I know I did - you might want to try for a sleeper

if you do, then all your meals are included in that sleeper fare

have a great time

Answer 4

1. No place to catch the breeze.  Passenger coaches since the 1950s have been closed-window.  Mainly for safety, dust and metal straps flying loose off freight cars.  It happens.

2. PLEASE DO move around!  Don't you dare spend more than an hour in one place.  Your coach seat is reserved but there's also the lounge and the full-service diner serving real meals.

3. That 7-hour time in Union Station is mostly padding for late trains, but the Chief is better than most for running on-time.  You layover in downtown Chicago, so check your carry-ons in the station and explore Chicago!  You're 3 blocks from most of the subway lines.  I've gone as far afield as the Museum of Science and Industry on my layovers.

4. Amtrak has been putting more and more plugs around the coaches and lounge.  I brought a light 20-foot extension cord when I traveled.  I believe they play movies at night in the Lounge-Cafe car.  It'll be same movies airlines play.

5. DON'T fill up on the $2-4.50 snacks in the cafe, eat the $9-15 meals in the full service diner, which are quite good.

6. Yes it can be cold and over-air-conditioned. Bring layers.

7. General tips: Socialize!  People are very talkative and nice on the western trains and will want to get to know you.  You'll be seated at the diner with other people, so get to know them!  And allow yourself to be very tolerant of late trains.  Mainly they happen because these western runs are extremely long, and there's no recovery time - every little delay stacks up.  15 minutes delay here, 30 minutes there, a couple days of that and blam, you're 5 hours late.  It happens, so be prepared for this and be cool about it.

Answer 5

1-800-872-7245 (Amtrak's phone number.)

Pick up your phone, push 11 buttons, ask them all these questions.

Too hard to do? You'd rather somebody here do the work for you?