Amtrak Superliner Bedroom question

IMHO, grab the family room every time.  Even when I had a Double Bedroom, I used the center BR by the stairs (right across from the coffee maker).

My only concern with rooms on the lower level is that they are a little nosier. As far as windows on both sides, there are always good views from the lounge car. Have a great trip.

Earl     

I had an upper BR on the Empire Builder.  It was awesome!!!  Good views and it was quiet!!

I have done both upstairs and downstairs, here's the pros and cons:

Upstairs Pros

Bigger window

Private shower

Sink in room

Dont need to use the stairs

I find the upstairs rooms "brighter" than the rooms downstairs. 

Upstairs cons:

The toilet in your room is really just for #1. You definitely will want to take anything else down the hall. Also, the bathroom is just a wet room, so if you take a shower, consider the toilet soaked and out of commission for a while. 

With the lower bunk folded down, you cant access the sink or the door without climbing over the bed. 

If you have the top bunk, you're about 14' off the rail, every undulation of the track is amplified up there. 

Downstairs pros (family bedroom)

More room (full car width)

Because the door to the room is perpendicular to the bed axis, you can still move around with the beds down. 

The downstairs corridor is roomier to move around.

Less traffic in the corridor

There's 3 bathrooms down there + the shower (which is bigger than the one in the rooms upstairs)

Track motion is less noticeable.

Downstairs Cons:

Track noise is more noticeable

You get 2 windows, but they're not as big as the picture windows upstairs. Also, if you leave your compartment door open upstairs, you've also got a window across the corridor, so you technically have 2 windows

No bathroom in the room, but its not a major negative (see above)

The closet is basically useless

If the attendant is in a roomette upstairs, getting them to come down can be a challenge, especially when its busy.

The view is basically track level, the viewpoint upstairs is definitely better. This is not so bad if your plan is to camp in the sightseer all day.

Great input gentlemen, we appreciate the suggestions and sharing experiences.

Paul & MJ

We took the Texas Eagle from Chicago to Fort Worth, a few years ago, in a family bedroom with our granddaughters.  The price was better than a couple of bedrooms.  Personally, I don't ever want to ride in another one.  We were right over the front truck, and the condition of the former MoPac UP track across Arkansas was not good, especially the surfacing on the curves.  Twice, I was sure the wheel was going to climb the outside rail in the middle of curves.  It didn't though, and I am content to stay out of future competition for the family bedroom.

Mrs. Number 90 and I are fixing to board No. 4 this week, at Lamy, NM, en route to Washington DC, upstairs bedroom all the way.  Similarly, when returning via New York it will be a Viewliner roomette New York to Chicago and a Superliner bedroom to Lamy.

And by now those who read my occasional postings will expect me to have an escape plan in case of a derailment.  I won't let you down.  Mrs. Number 90 and I will have a briefing about crossing between cars and how to escape if we go into the ditch.  Gonna enjoy our trip, but take nothing for granted.

I'm agree with #90 I really like the upstairs bedroom

Clem k

I talked with a friend of ours and she said to be sure you get a room with your own bathroom, don't share the bathroom, for a long trip with Amtrak.

Lee Fritz