An Amtrak Primer to Help You Plan Your First Trip

Have you always dreamed of taking a cross country train trip? Are you planning to take a train through the Rockies but don't know where to start? For quality intercity rail transportation, look no further than Amtrak. Amtrak was created by the government in May 1971 to save the remaining passenger trains. Amtrak operates routes in almost every state, making it an accessible transportation choice for many Americans.

By the time you finish reading this article, you will hopefully have acquired some basic knowledge of train travel, and be on your way to planning your first train trip!

Booking your trip: The natural first step is to visit Amtrak's website, www.amtrak.com, to learn about routes, trains, prices, schedules, stations, and accommodations. Fares are higher around Christmas, Thanksgiving, and in the summer months. However, regardless of the date you travel, booking early can ensure a low fare. Amtrak trips can be booked up to eleven months in advance, which is when you'll find the best prices and availability of seats and sleeping car rooms. Offering a huge wealth of information, Amtrak online discussion forums, such as the Amtrak Unlimited Forum (www.amtraktrains.com) and Rail Forum (www.railforum.com) can be an invaluable resource in planning your trip.

Accommodations: Just as airlines offer economy, business, and first class, Amtrak offers several different types of accommodations. The most economical is Coach class, offered on all trains except the Acela Express. Coach seats on shorter distance routes are similar to economy class airline seats, but those on longer distance routes have at least as much leg room as an airline First class seat, with the added bonus of foot and leg rests. The longer distance coach seats also recline about as much as a non lie flat airline first class seat. Private sleeping car rooms, while more expensive than coach, are still economical, especially because all meals in the dining car are included in the sleeping room price. Amtrak offers two main sizes of rooms: Roomettes and Bedrooms. Roomettes seat two people, with an upper and lower berth that fold out at night. Some roomettes have an in-room toilet and sink. Bedrooms generally seat two people with a sofa and an armchair, and feature and enclosed toilet and larger sink and vanity. Select trains offer Family bedrooms, accommodating two adults and two children. All trains offer am Accessible Bedroom for disabled passengers. Each sleeping car has an attendant who takes care of passengers, making up beds and providing a variety of services. A shower is provided to all sleeping car passengers. On a side note, some shorter distance trains offer Business class, with seats similar to long distance coach seats. It should be noted that unlike on an airplane, Coach and Business class passengers are not assigned a seat in advance; seating is either first come first served or the coach attendant may assign boarding passengers a seat.

Stations: Amtrak stations can range from majestic, historic stations such as Washington, D.C.'s Union Station to bus stop shelters situated next to the track. One should be aware that some stations are, unfortunately, in a less-than-desirable area; therefore, it is wise to consult an internet discussion forum or visit www.trainweb.org/usarail and look up any stations that you are planning to use. Stations in larger cities offer ticket agents and checked baggage service; these are known as "staffed" stations. The majority of Amtrak's stations, however, are unstaffed. This usually means that a caretaker will open the station building before trains arrive; however, not all stations have a caretaker.

Baggage: Amtrak allows you two carry on bags, not including personal items such as purses and briefcases. An additional two bags per person can be checked if both your boarding and detraining stations offer checked baggage service. Information about unusual items is provided on Amtrak's website.

Important note: When traveling on Amtrak, you must expect that not everything will go as planned. Equipment can break down, employees can at times be surly, and trains are very often delayed. Usually, these delays are caused by freight railroads, which own the tracks, and give their trains priority over Amtrak. Use www.amtrakdelays.com to check the past on time performance of your train to make plans. If you miss a connection, Amtrak must bring you to your destination, whether by bus, taxi, or paying for a plane fare. Occasionally, Amtrak may elect to book you in a hotel for the night, at their expense, allowing you to take the train the following day, as many routes have only one daily train. This section is not intended to scare you away from Amtrak. Most people who ride Amtrak have a pleasant trip. Sadly, the small number who are dissatisfied are often the ones compelled to post their experience online.

Boarding the train: Unless you are boarding at an unstaffed station or opted to have the tickets mailed, you will need to pick up your tickets at any staffed station prior to boarding the train. Except on certain routes, you must have your tickets printed prior to boarding the train. I recommend arriving at the station at least 30 minutes in advance for a small station, and one hour for a large one, such as Philadelphia's 30^th street station. Baggage must be checked 30 minutes prior to the train's departure.

In some stations, passengers aren't allowed onto the train platform until boarding is called. However, in most smaller stations, you are free to wander outside before the boarding announcement. Obviously, there are no announcements in unstaffed stations. The station personnel will tell you where to stand on the platform. Once the train arrives, any number of doors will open; unless otherwise directed, feel free to board through any open door. Sleeping car passengers must board their assigned car, printed on the ticket and displayed near the door of the car.

On board the train: Once the conductor collects your ticket, you are free to take a walk through the train, but only sleeping car passengers are permitted in sleeping cars. Most trains feature a café or lounge car where you can purchase snacks and pre prepared meals. These cars also feature booth seating, and, on some bi level trains, wraparound windows with seats for sightseeing. Most Amtrak trains in the eastern U.S. are single level; most trains in the west are bi level, with most seating on the upper level. Overnight trains also feature a Dining car, serving complete meals in a resturant atmosphere. Sample menus are available on Amtrak's website.

Detraining and arrival: A good conductor should make announcements for each stop, but not all do. In any case, you sleeping or coach car attendant will alert you when your stop is close, and tell you where to detrain. Once on the platform, follow signs for baggage claim or look for an employee with a baggage cart to claim your checked baggage. In larger stations, taxis will be waiting in front of the station.

Hopefully, this article will have enlightened you about the basics of Amtrak travel, and helped you plan a trip on one of the best modes of transportation available!