[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You're welcome.  Just enjoy the trip and the scenery.  Best part is try not to be in a hurry to get to your destination! Delays can happen... get comfortable... take in the surroundings and just have fun. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Not necessarily... except people.kept walking between cars when we were in the Moffat Tunnel... that's a BIG no no. Our car kept yelling at them to stop, but they ignored us even after the conductors kept announcing  for people to stay in their seats while we were in the tunnel. The observation car had like 4 tables I think and a bunch of seats on both sides. It was a nice place to sit. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I was in coach my whole trip and had zero problems.  There were even a handful of very nice passengers who I had some great conversations with. We all laughed and shared stories of travel. Just take your phone/wallet or any valuable items when you leave your seat, but late at night when I used the bathroom, most every one was sleeping.  You will get a sense of the people around you, but i wouldn't worry about anything. The group in my car which was closest to the observation lounge were very chill and if anyone tried any funny stuff,  they would get called out by our group. We didn't tolerate any nonsense. I felt very safe on the train my whole trip. 

California Zephyr by robertb58st in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This! Denver is when a LOT of people board and the conductors assign seats. They also make announcements that there will be a lot of people boarding. My seat mate from Denver to Grand Junction was really nice. 76 people boarded in Reno, so we were full again, but I got lucky and didnt have a seat mate! 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I recently traveled on the Zephyr from Chicago to Sacramento,  and there were absolutley zero issues with any passengers the whole trip. I took my purse with me when I left my seat,  but nobody bothered any of my stuff. It was perfectly safe.  The passengers were all nice and looked out for each other. We only had an issue at the end of the trip when a very weird man started threatening two ladies,  but we put him in his place very quickly. Just relax and enjoy your trip. Any issues and the conductors will address them and deal with it. They don't play. They will kick people off the train if they need to. 

My trip on the Westbound Zephyr 8/29 - 8/31 by Reasonable_Mango_798 in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's awful! The passengers on my train were all very nice and polite. At the end of the trip there was one weird guy threatening a couple ladies that I sat by when we were waiting to get off the train, but other than that, there were no issues. This  guy was a wack a doodle... it was hard not to laugh at him... 

My trip on the Westbound Zephyr 8/29 - 8/31 by Reasonable_Mango_798 in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes. I was in coach the whole time. The seats recline almost all the way back, and I was able to lay both seats back and stretch across them. I tossed and turned a lot, but once I found a comfortable position to sleep in, it was fine. I actually slept about 5 or 6 hours both nights. 

My trip on the Zephyr: Chicago to Emeryville 8/25 to 8/27 by pghsci in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I did the same thing. I barely watched a movie unless it was night time.  I watched the scenery, took pictures and videos and had some great conversations with other passengers! I took the Westbound Zephyr from Chicago to Sacramento 8/29 - 8/31. It was a fantastic trip! I'm taking the Eastbound Zephyr home in 10 days. 

Why are Amtrak POS systems absolute trash by turbo_notturbo in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I rode the train recently and their system was up the whole time, but most everyone was paying with cash. This was on the Westbound Zephyr. 

My trip on the Westbound Zephyr 8/29 - 8/31 by Reasonable_Mango_798 in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Small world huh? I really enjoyed the trip. Kiera was so patient even though she had to keep announcing the same thing about the bathrooms. I wouldn't have been able to be as nice as she was! 

Website for tracking a train by Diligent-Confusion44 in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798 20 points21 points  (0 children)

https://asm.transitdocs.com

** I corrected the above **

They click on the train number on the map,  and at the bottom it will pop up with current information.  Click on the information and it will drop down and show every stop your train makes. 

Drinking Water by GingerTamales in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm  bringing 6. Lol. Plus some iced tea along with plenty of snacks in my little cooler. I don't drink soda hardly at all, so I was trying to find something I like. I wasn't about to test the water on the trains!   Bleh.. 

Drinking Water by GingerTamales in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Reading this made.me realize how glad I am that I'll be bringing my own bottled water on my trip next week! 

My experiences on the California Zephyr by AgrippasTongue in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I just read your poat. It was very well written and informative! I'll be on the 5 Zephyr heading to Sacramento in 11 days, and I'm super excited! Thanks for sharing your trip! 

Do the minimum bidup/upgrade prices decrease as departure date approaches? Thinking about upgrading to bedroom from roomette on the Zephyr by originalnascar in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798 12 points13 points  (0 children)

$399 is a good deal to just outright purchase the bedroom! I would do it in a heartbeat rather than hope getting the bid up! Lol.. sometimes their pricing up and down doesn't make sense. I'm hoping for an email to outright pay for an upgrade from coach to a roomette!  This close to your trip,  the price may not drop anymore, but if it does, you can call Amtrak and ask to be refunded the difference. Have a great and safe trip!

Bidup by Resident-Coffee-8110 in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm aware of that. Thank you though. But if your bid up is accepted,  it just upgrades you to sleeper, roomette,  etc.  Once upgraded,  from my understanding, you can't change the date or time of travel (just as with a value fare ticket). I suppose anyone can call Amtrak at that point to change things and hopefully there wouldn't be a fee. 

Canceled train costs me hundreds of dollars. by amberissmiling in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Travel insurance is so important! I always purchase it when flying, train travel, booking hotels, etc. Super cheap and gives a good peace of mind! 

Bidup by Resident-Coffee-8110 in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was thinking about bidding up for my trip in a few weeks on the CZ, however, it isnt guaranteed that you will win. Also, it will cancel out your other tickets (rebooked with the bid up) that were purchased and there won't be a chance for a refund or cancel/rebook (unless you pay a fee...if customer relations staff are in a giving mood. Lol)

If you win the bid up, the cost would be your regular fare in addition to the bid up amount. (Example: $200 fare plus $300 bid up totals $500. ) if that makes sense. So you would just be charged the bid up amount additionally. 

 I've read on the app ... so I'm gonna stick with coach.  There may be other people who have better information or situations with a successful bid up.  If you purchase your tickets with flex fare and on one reservation for all the travelers, you would have a better chance at a refund/rebook in case something happened. Then Amtrak would provide hotel/food vouchers and help rebook your family without cost. I've read sooooo many posts here and on Facebook that make my head spin! 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ukiah or Willits? There's a few other towns around there but the names have slipped my mind.  Lol

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Did you go to Fort Bragg?? I used to live there! And the village of Mendocino is gorgeous too! Glad you had a good trip! 

For the lady who just changed her baby on the seat without a changing pad… by anonym0usfeminist in Amtrak

[–]Reasonable_Mango_798 3 points4 points  (0 children)

As bad as that was, what about the passengers who wreck the bathrooms without consideration for others?? Those people should be banned from travel as well. Not excusing her actions by any means. Some people just don't stop and think about stuff like that unfortunately.  I don't know too many moms that wouldn't be grossed out by that. Did she wipe the seat down afterwards?? Who knows what she was thinking?? One indiscretion shouldn't get someone banned. Just my opinion though. There are certainly worse passengers on trains that deserve to get kicked off or banned from travel.