Things To Bring
Bring:
- Photo Camera with plenty of film and spare batteries.
- Video Camera with plenty of tape, spare battery and AC adapter/charger.
- Battery Alarm Clock, especially the type with voice announcements.
- Small Flash Light and spare batteries.
- Radio/Tape Player with tapes and spare batteries (if desired).
- Frequency Scanner to listen to train crew (if desired).
- Cellular Phone with spare battery and AC charger (if desired).
- Pens, pencils, notebook.
- One or more good books to read (especially when dark out).
- Route Schedule (often not available on the train).
- Route Guide (if you already have one, sometimes not available on train).
- Any Amtrak books or timetables you have (if desired).
- Notebook computer (there is AC to plug it in).
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste (plenty of cups and water provided on board).
Don't Bring:
- Wash cloths & towels. (provided in your Sleeping Car).
- Blankets & pillows. (provided in your Sleeping Car).
- Food & Drinks. (provided in Diner and Cafe Lounge Car).
- Battery TV (hardly in range of major cities for 30 minutes even).
- Clothes hangers (provided in your Sleeping Car closet).
Maybe Bring:
- Tissues (usually provided in your Sleeping Car, not always)
- Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner (usually provided, not always)
- Games (available in Lounge, but bring what you like)
- Playing Cards (or buy Amtrak ones in Cafe Lounge Car)
If you are not in a Sleeping Car, don't bring alcoholic beverages. You
will not be allowed to consume them anywhere on the train. You can
purchase wine, beer and mixed drinks in the Cafe/Lounge Car and Dining Car.
If you are in a Sleeping Car, you may bring your own alcoholic beverages
and consume them in your private room, or you can purchase drinks from
the Cafe/Lounge Car and bring it to your private room. You must be at
least 21 years old with proof of age to purchase alcoholic beverages on
the train. Sleeping Car passengers get free meals in the Dining Car,
but drinks are extra. Wine is usually $3 per glass.
If you bring food onto the train, you can only consume it in your private
room or at your seat in coach. You cannot bring it into any public area,
especially into the Cafe/Lounge Car or the Dining Car. That is a federal
health safety law.
If you bring anything onto the train that makes sound (radios, scanners,
tv, tape players, video games, etc.), have earphones for it. Even if you
are in a private room, these devices can often be heard through the walls
if the volume is not turned very low.
You should pack two bags per person. My preference is one of those bags
with wheels and collapsable handle that is popular for air travel. The
other bag should be a shoulder carry bag. Try your best to fit everything
you need on the train into the shoulder carry bag. Put the things that you
won't need on the train in your larger suitcase. If you are in a Sleeping
Car, don't check your bags if you can avoid it. You won't be able to get
to your checked bags during your travel. There is plenty of room in a
luggage rack by the door for your bags in the Sleeping Car and you can get
to them whenever you want. You might have enough room in your private room
for your shoulder bag, but bringing your suitcase to your room could be a
bit tight depending how many are in your party. That is why I like to put
all the things I need for the train into the shoulder bag.
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