 Overnight train without a bedroom
> Before we rule out the train we are curious if taking six
> children age 2-13 on a 35-hour train ride without
> sleeping accomodations is feasible...
Ed, I have a friend who used to work for Amtrak (he's retired now) and
he still rides trains fairly often. I asked him your question and he
says that it's not unusual to see families with small children
sleeping overnight in coach cars. It's not the most pleasant way to
spend the night, but most folks find it tolerable. The seats recline
and are reasonably comfortable. However they usually don't provide
blankets, and you may or may not get a small pillow. Some kids seem
okay with sleeping in coach cars; others get cranky.
He says that a private sleeper would obviously be a lot more
comfortable, and when comparing prices remember that a sleeper's price
usually includes meals, but if you ride coach you'll need to buy all
your meals in the dining car, and it can add up.
He added that the comfort level can vary from train to train. Some of
the Superliners in the west, for example, are more comfortable.
James
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