Ok, so I just booked us to take the train home next month! We are in lower level seats.
I hope we actually get to take it this time, last time the railways were shut down just after we checked into the station...due to Hurricane Sandy! Then we had to hit the road and beat Sandy, she hit a half hour after we arrived home!
My kids will be 15, 12 and 7...I know to bring eyemasks, and maybe small blankets. I am also planning to bring a small soft sided cooler with some water bottles and snacks.
Anything else that is a MUST bring?
Anyone have info on the new viewliner 2 roomettes and train layout. I hear that the roomettes no longer have toilets. Wondering where and how many toilets they have in the sleeper area. Planning to ride one of the silvers next year.
Yes, the new roomettes will not have toilets but they still will have the fold down sink. According to the Wikipedia article each car will have two bathrooms and a shower room. I much prefer this arrangement to having the toilet in the room.
Thanks, forgot I have to buy earplugs too. I guess we'll have to plan to stop and get some snacks on our way from the port to the station.Make sure to bring entertainment for everyone--tablets, DVD players, whatever you've got--along with headphones. And if you have noise-canceling headphones, that'd be even better.
Bring a bit more food than you think you'll need because one never knows exactly how long the train will take, since it can get delayed, even without a hurricane.
Have fun! We love taking the train!
Thanks, forgot I have to buy earplugs too. I guess we'll have to plan to stop and get some snacks on our way from the port to the station.
Is there anywhere to get free cups of ice water on the train or should I plan to bring 3 of our own bottles per person onboard?
Is there free wi-fi on the train?
Thanks! I ended up finding thisNot sure about the ice water, but I think there are fountains adjacent to the restrooms. We usually bring our own water. Let's hope someone who knows the answer to this question chimes in here!
Sadly, there isn't WiFi, free or otherwise, on the train. Hard to believe, but true. There may be a couple of station stops where you can pick up WiFi, but I've never had any luck.
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/intercity/amtraks-new-wheels-hit-the-rails.html
This has Viewliner 2 info.
Your family's beautiful! Loved your pix!!!
This is our first time taking a train. We'll be going from Pittsburgh to DC on the Capitol Limited. We have a 2 hour layover and then we take the Silver Star to Orlando. What happens if the Capitol Limited is late and we miss the Silver Star? Also, do we get our luggage from the Capitol Limited and check is again for the Silver Star? I'm nervous about missing the train, getting to Disney late, and losing our luggage. Any info/tips/help would be great. We really want to enjoy our trip on the train. We're so excited and then I read a ton of terrible reviews on Amtrak I'm having second thoughts. My husband won't fly and we drove the last time and we don't want to drive again
This is our first time taking a train. We'll be going from Pittsburgh to DC on the Capitol Limited. We have a 2 hour layover and then we take the Silver Star to Orlando. What happens if the Capitol Limited is late and we miss the Silver Star? Also, do we get our luggage from the Capitol Limited and check is again for the Silver Star? I'm nervous about missing the train, getting to Disney late, and losing our luggage. Any info/tips/help would be great. We really want to enjoy our trip on the train. We're so excited and then I read a ton of terrible reviews on Amtrak I'm having second thoughts. My husband won't fly and we drove the last time and we don't want to drive again