How long before boarding an Amtrak long-distance train can I check in my baggage?

Question

I am scheduled to take the Coast Starlight from LA to Seattle on October 9, 2008. However, I will be arriving at the Los Angeles Union Station on October 7 afternoon, and will be taking off from there for a ride on the Grand Canyon Railway. I will be returning to the Los Angeles Union Station on the morning of October 9 to catch the Coast Starlight.

I would like to check in my heavy luggage for the Coast Starlight on October 7, so that I can travel light during my Grand Canyon journey, Can this be done?

What other options do I have of storing my luggage at the Los Angeles Union Station from October 7 to October 9?

I will be travelling on a Superliner Roomette.

Answer 1

yes, you can check in your bags for lax-sea early.  checked baggage goes directly with agents to baggage room and train and baggage room again.  checked baggage does not depend upon public lockers at all.

re-check with amtrak for details, as i have not worked there for 6 yrs now.  but when i was working for 8 yrs+ as ticket clerk and baggage, you can check bags in anytime more than 30 mins in advance.  

here's the trick.  checked bags can be held in chekced baggage for free for a time (it was 2 days), after which there was a "storage fee" of 1$ per bag per day thereafter, altho some agents wouldnt collect the storage fee bcs of extra paper work.

what happens is that if you check your bag in, say 2 days early, is that the origin station would send your bag on the next baggage car, which would probably not be the train you will be on.  the bag will get to the destination station, and that clerk would keep it in the baggage room until whenever you showed up with the claim check to receive it.  thus, even Los Angeles storage space is not an issue, seattle would be the one holding the bag for multiple days.  

1-2 days would be free storage anyway.  more days than that, you should expect to pay a fee.  over 30 days, bags are supposed to be dealt with by regional manager somehow, but ive never had bags sit for more than 30 days.

like i said, double check with amtrak for current date/time standards and fees, but yes it can be done, and i highly recommend it. dont lug baggage around to arizona that will just get in your and everyone else's way.

Answer 2

I'm not aware of any baggage storage facilities at Union Station.  But there are plenty of hotels/motels in the area, which may offer storage to non-customers.  I believe Amtrak lets you check in your bags the morning of the departure.

Answer 3

There are no more lockers in train stations or airports. Our Arab friends changed that policy. You can check your bags the morning of your departure. How are you getting from LA to Williams, Arizona for the Grand Canyon ride.? If you rent a car just take the bags with you