What are /r/Amtrak's favorite Products & Services?

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> The train's wifi runs through the cell data network, so it might not be much better other than the train probably has a nicer antenna than your phone, but then it is shared with the whole train.

Not that it matters too much, as the California Zephyr doesn't have wifi.

If you want to get a rough idea, you can compare the route-planning map from Amtrak to an AT&T coverage map. https://opensignal.com/ has a good coverage map.

I'm a big fan of Bluetooth sleeping masks for the train. They're way more comfortable than any other kind of headphones for sleeping. They're not noise canceling but do block out a decent amount of noise.

Here's a link, but there are a ton of options on Amazon. Pick what works best for you. https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Headphones-Lavince-Ultra-Thin-Meditation/dp/B07Q34ZKLF/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=1L05OYUJPCCTG&keywords=bluetooth+sleeping+headphones&qid=1671123661&sprefix=bluetooth+sleepin%2Caps%2C776&sr=8-1-spons...

Additionally, I'd plan on bringing a blanket and a pillow, maybe even a regular pillow and a neck pillow.

Pack carefully. Have a bag for your train journey - deodorant, toothbrush, change of clothes, comfy clothes for the ride, your entertainment, and your drinks and snacks. I like to bring a power strip. Not all the outlets work 100% of the time and if you can offer a power strip when asking to use an outlet at a different seat, more people are down to help.

I used this cube to be perfect. The 5ft cable is just long enough for the unit to sit at the center table. And it’s compact enough to be out of the way. Really easy to pack as well.

Would you consider Virginia "north east US"? If you look at where there is currently snow, it's mostly in the north west. Most of the north east doesn't have more than a dusting.

I got one of these to pair with my Aeropress to make coffee: https://www.amazon.com/WTJMOV-Portable-Electric-Stainless-Automatic/dp/B099K4LXV2/

It only pulls 300 watts of power so it shouldn't cause issues with the electric outlet at the seat and in addition to making arguably better coffee than Amtrak makes, I could make my own oatmeal and noodles.

I'd add that fruit like apples and clementines taste really good as a counter to all of the sugary and salty snacks that I also pack.

If you have access to an electrical outlet, you can heat a single cup of water with one of these. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001U0PA7M

I have done this in hotels for years, but never on a train.

You will also need a ceramic coffee mug to heat the water in, because this thing gets hot. And a metal spoon to stir the instant coffee into the boiling water. Instant coffee added to boiling water won't dissolve without stirring. Nasty!!

Same set up works well to heat water for instant oatmeal packets.

The product page says it is 300 watts, maybe there is an r/Amtrak Redditor who knows whether or not the outlets in coach will support 2.5 amps.

Unless I'm asleep in my bedroom my shoes are always on for this exact reason. And when I'm asleep I wear those hospital socks with grippy soles.

For what it’s worth guys, I take about two long distance amtrak trips per year ( and a few shorter ones).

On my last Southwest Chief trip from LA to Kansas City I just didn’t shower.

I brought these with me instead. I felt as completely clean as If I showered:

> https://www.amazon.com/Defense-Soap-Body-Wipes-Count/dp/B001G7Z0RO?pd_rd_w=u1Dyd&content-id=amzn1.sym.94349326-ca8a-4b0d-94f0-6931485b8573&pf_rd_p=94349326-ca8a-4b0d-94f0-6931485b8573&pf_rd_r=M18N83D7XWG5K7X22F1A&pd_rd_wg=MFqVT&amp...

These are a lifesaver

If you haven't already, invest in quality N95 masks. I used the ones linked below, from what I could tell the certification seems legit. Anecdotally, I travelled during the height of the omicron wave with this mask (which included getting a flight cancelled and spent time in a hotel shuttle bus full of unmasked people) and didn't catch it.

And if you do get it, keep calling doctors and pharmacies until you can get a prescription of paxlovid. That stuff saves lives.

FANGTIAN N95 Mask NIOSH Certified... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087Z7N4XF?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D25RSWX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 is a must have.

Limited-time deal: Power Strip with USB - 2 Outlets 3 USB Charging Ports(3.1A, 15W), Desktop Charging Station with 5 ft Braided Extension Cord, Flat Plug Travel Power Strip for Cruise, Home Office, ETL Listed https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081ZQKXN4/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_dl_0H7FZYTDSV3FWHGH179B?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

"10/10 post."

I could hug you and cry (tears of joy!) Thank you so very much! ;'-)

"More cartoons need Amtrak"

I totes agree!

Best comment so far!

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Hey have you seen this kid's book? It's called "Hurry Hurry," and has an Amtrak train in it https://www.amazon.com/Hurry-Golden-Sight-Sound-Book/dp/0307748022 I wanted to include that too but it wasn't an animated cartoon so I left it out. I never got to see the inside of this book, I mean one of my mother's friends had this book but only the back cover was available, all the other pages were missing!

We traveled with a 4 month-old in a regular bedroom on the Capitol Limited, connecting to the Southwest Chief (so pretty much coast-to-coast).

A Babybjorn Travel Crib Light was an exact fit for the room's floor space. When the beds were down, there was just enough room to squeeze by on the side to get to the bathroom, and there was enough room to lower both the top and bottom bunks (my wife slept below, I slept up top).

Our daughter slept like a champ the whole way, and we had a ball the whole way. It was a wonderful trip.

The crib itself was expensive as heck at $209 when we bought it, and is even more expensive these days, but damn...it really did fit. I bought that specific model because I saw a picture of it on a blog post, nestled perfectly in the space available in the bedroom. We were new parents, we didn't want to take any chances, and so we saw the picture of the exact crib fitting, we bit the bullet, and it was worth it.

I wish I could find the original picture of the crib in the room—and if I do, I'll post back here—but I can't find it now. But it did work.

Anyway, I'd recommend a bedroom as opposed to two roomettes. Even if you find a different crib that works, you'll have more options than in two roomettes. I wouldn't want to co-sleep with a baby in a roomette (not enough room), nor would I want to put some sort of travel crib device on either the upper or lower bunk.

There is water from any restroom (etc) but all the water onboard is in a holding tank, and it will taste like it. I took a gallon jug of water (w/ screw-on lid) my own mug and one of these onboard: https://www.amazon.com/Travel-Portable-Electric-Immersion-Element/dp/B07R5PFSGH

There are two other similar platforms worth checking out as well, https://www.trustroots.org/ and https://www.bewelcome.org/

The community is in a bit of a transitional period now that couchsurfers.com is no longer useable for many people, so many people use all 3 platforms for the most coverage

I'll throw this in here too... if you don't already have one, you might want to get a co-sleeper thing - something like this (not an endorsement - I don't know this one at all... just an example):

https://www.amazon.com/SwaddleMe-By-Your-Side-Sleeper/dp/B00YBADM1O/ref=sr_1_18?crid=SKTYMWWQ5PH4&dchild=1&keywords=cosleeper+bassinet&qid=1594752969&s=baby-products&sprefix=cosl%2Cbaby-products%2C196&sr=1-18

Then, I'd probably tuck this cosleeper thing into either the corner on the lower bunk or tie it down on the upper bunk in a bedroom. I don't quite remember "4 month old" stage, but I think that would be a pretty solid plan.

I was also looking at getting a spinner case either 25 or 29 inch, they would be about 2 inches taller counting wheels. Sounds like I wouldn't get arrested for that. https://www.amazon.com/Delsey-Luggage-Expandable-Spinner-Trolley/dp/B008PSWX9A/ref=pd_sim_198_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B008PSWX9A&pd_rd_r=RN6PD0QDGQF1WX6Z1GW2&pd_rd_w=gprta&pd_rd_wg=phgiE&psc=1&refRID=RN6PD0QDGQF1WX6Z1GW2

One more thing about sleeping in coach, since you've reminded me.

I don't know if this will help you much since your trip is very soon, but when I take long Amtrak trips (I've crossed the US several times) I find that these are necessary and you can probably get at least some of them at local stores if you look:

1) sleep mask that has thick padding and is wide/tall enough to prevent light from coming in at the edges. (I can't find an example of the kind I have but it is much larger than the typical shitty ones you find at chain pharmacies and one side of it is sort of furry/plushy and gives extra thickness)

2) the tan-colored Hearos brand earplugs - these are spongy and dense enough but also not uncomfortable and don't create a suction problem in your ear

3) an inflatable pillow, but specifically this kind has proven best for coach seats, because it allows flexible positioning and feels more like the way you'd naturally use a real pillow: TravelRest pillow

There should be a fourth thing but I haven't yet figured out what it is exactly that would solve the problem. Amtrak's seats are fairly comfortable in terms of padding and space and the ones on the trains you are taking recline pretty far back. The problem with them though is that they should have been designed so that as they recline you have just a little more lift toward the front of the seat, so that it cradles you the way you might hold a baby. The way that it is currently, you sort of feel like you are sliding down a bit and struggling to figure out where to put your feet - there is a foot rest, but there should be something more under your thighs/knees. Or maybe that's just me with that problem...