I was riding on the Texas Eagle on Thursday, July 24, 1997. There are only 3 Deluxe Bedrooms and 4 Economy Rooms empty on this train. I don't know how many Family and Handicapped Rooms are available, but there is at least one Handicapped Room empty. A party of 3 in coach wanted to upgrade to a sleeper to Dallas from Chicago. Because they are taking rooms that would go empty otherwise and they have already paid the railfare portion of their journey, they get what is called the "deep discount". An upgrade to the Economy Room costs $115. An upgrade to the Deluxe Room costs $236. An upgrade to the Handicapped Room costs $152, which is only allowed because they already know by now that no mobility impaired person has reserved it. The Conductor told them the Handicapped Room sleeps 3 and they decided on that. Now that is strange. I've always stated the Handicapped Room as sleeping 2. This could be interesting. There are only seats for 2 in the Handicapped Room unless someone is going to sit on the toilet! The Handicapped Room is actually identical to an Economy Room except that it has a lot of extra space for a wheelchair and a toilet behind a curtain. Personally, I'll take an Economy Room over the Handicapped Room anyday!

(This is just an example and only applies to this particular journey. Your fare to upgrade from Coach to a Sleeping Car Bedroom will vary.)

Upgrade from Coach to Sleeping Car Accommodations for one evening (counted by Amtrak as 2 days) leaving from Chicago, Illinois at 6:20 P.M. and arriving into Dallas, Texas the following day at 3:05 P.M. The upgrade includes complimentary dinner, breakfast and lunch for all 3 members of this party plus a morning newspaper and all the coffee each can drink.

Onboard Upgrade from Coach To:

• Standard (Economy) Bedroom: $115
• Handicapped Bedroom: $152
• Deluxe Bedroom: $236