Also, I love how your videos are not super edited and give us a realistic view of how things are instead of creating a Disney land in our minds. Please don't change this. Subscribed!
Disneyland haha that’s a funny way of putting it. I do my best to give you guys the feeling of what’s it like to be there. I really appreciate the feedback, thank you!
That was A-W-E-S-O-M-E !!! I got to go on an overnight train ride! The sleeping quarters with ability to shut your door, showers (did not know they had them), dining cart, picking your own meals (food looked great), cafe, and viewing deck. The viewing deck and comfortably watching the beautiful scenery out of your room window. The change in scenery, terrain, and weather was so cool. In your roomette the limbs, trees, and water appeared to be so close to your window that you could touch them. Plus, traveling through different and new cities while looking out the window. Totally agree if you get one chance to do it, go for it! Tommy, this may have been my one chance. Thank you for the unforgettable and wonderful experience.
Hey Robert! Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Everything you said perfectly summed up this Amtrak experience-showers, meals, viewing car, changing terrain and cities. I’m grateful to have shared this experience with you!
I have done a part of the train journey from Klamath Falls Oregon to Olympia Wa. And let me tell you that the journey through the Oregon Cascades are AWESOME. One station after Klamath Falls station the route begins to climb up into the mountains pass a lake then through a short tunnel and then a longer tunnel marking the dive. And then it goes through another short tunnel and when the train leaves that tunnel you are on the side of a canyon wall with tracks below you and a wooden trestle bridge even lower and yes. You will get there through 18 more tunnels and the wooden trestle bridge is well known because it is still the ORIGINAL ONE BUILT IN 1955 and all trains are required to slow down to 10 miles per hour to cross it before going through oakridge and entering one last tunnel before going along another lake before arriving in Eugene Oregon
Tommy, what a great video. It's been a long time for me and I love watching trip videos. You highlighted the things I love about train travel, the no rush, the scenery and the big one..meeting people. I've met so many wonderful people a couple of whom I wish I'd stayed in touch. Hopefully my wife and I will be on the rails soon. Thank you for one of the finest videos I've seen!
Hey Jim. That’s amazing that this Amtrak experience brought back memories for you. It’s a unique way of traveling as you highlighted and one of the finer ways to meet people and share stories. I’ve had moments where I wished I exchanged contact info with some of the people I’ve met on my travels as well. Hope you and your wife the best and thank you for the compliment/comment!
Thank you for sharing your experience upon Amtrak! It seemed to be realistic and enjoyable. Your time riding the train did not seem fake or boring! I am looking forward to my train ride in May 2023 now, so, thank you again for the experience!
Thanks for the mention… I saw my red suitcase when you first entered the sleeper car… also caught a brief glimpse of the fabulous car attendant, Vanessa .I thought about our interaction throughout my eastward journey to NYC… Tommy, you also inspired me to pay attention and post more vids of my travels… hey did you ever put the mattress down on the seats or did your just sleep on the seats. i look forward to traveling with you again… And thanks for highlighting my exit in Emeryville….😊🎉
Diego! I slept on the seats, didn’t think to put the mattress down. Probably would’ve been 10x more comfortable lol You definitely should post your travels! They don’t have to be super edited, just well informed Cheers to your night exit at Emeryville 👏 and hope to see you again on our travels 🧳
Hey Tommy, Great VIDEO! Thanks so much for posting. I am actually booked on the Coast Starlight from L.A. to Seattle in a Roomette in a couple of weeks. I have had a little anxiety as I have never traveled by train before. You covered everything! Now most of my fears are gone and I am so looking forward to my trip! Thanks again! Great post!
Hey Sara! I was super nervous as this was my first time too. Once you settle into your roomette it all becomes easier. Also don’t be afraid to roam around the train that way you become familiar with your new home. Socializing and hanging out in the viewing car made the time go by. Lastly, your room attendant will also help you with anything in the room and do their best to make you comfy. Good luck!
Tommy - I love ALL your videos ! You definitely communicate very USEFUL information and you highlight the positives of all your trip experiences, thereby prepping future travellers of what to expect. I came here after reading the comments of your SAN FRAN + MONTEREY videos, after one your viewers who said the AMTRAK one was a MUST SEE ! Keep up the GREATJOB Tommy ! (I always add a LIKE to every one of your videos that I saw ; I hope you have great success in your VLOGs and Happy & Safe Travels ! ) Thanks so much !
Thanks Lan! I’m always thinking of ways to become a better guide than a vlogger so it’s great to see people like yourself mention that they appreciate that aspect of my videos! Cheers to bringing you guys more useful content 🍻
well done! I have never taken a train before and your video was incredibly informative! The food looks wonderful! I would like to try in the future! Thanks for sharing!
Great video 1 I have thought about taking that train trip, now you have me thinking about it more. Your video is excellent with the details and the scenery. Thank you, Jeff
Great vid buddy! I also am a fan of Carrot Cake! hahaah! I experienced Amtrak in 2008 for 2 weeks from NYC to San Francisco and loved it. The best part for me was the mountains around Denver! Cheers from the UK!
Carrot cake is the best! You did NYC to San Francisco on Amtrak?! Was it coach or room? That sounds like quite the adventure you had, especially the views in Colorado!
I wholeheartedly agree. I watched a ton of Japanese bullet train videos leading up to this trip and was severely disappointed by Amtrak’s sleeping arrangements. Japan has it SO much better when it comes to train travel, even more so with their economy class.
Good trip! I've had a roomette on the Coast Starlight many times. It's usually a very good experience, even if it's gotten expensive lately. Looks like you saw Mt. Shasta in the morning. The train passes within a few miles of it, but normally before sunrise. By the time it's light, you're almost out of sight of it. The bedrooms include an in-room bathroom with toilet and shower. It's around the corner and out of sight of the door. IMO it's not worth paying double the price (unless you're travelling with at least a couple other people). Yes, Portland's boarding procedures are weird. It's the only place I know of that does it that way. (P.S., just so people don't get the wrong idea: you don't HAVE to put the seats down into a bed yourself. You can if you want to, of course 😊, but otherwise the attendant will do it, and turn the bed back into seats in the morning.)
Hey Steven. I can’t imagine it being much cheaper than I paid (765)! That would great though so others can experience this unique accommodation. Mt. Shasta was one of the top scenic highlights for me. So surreal to have witnessed that gargantuan volcano in person. The bedrooms DO have more luxury options I see. A toilet and shower in the same room could be convenient to people with mobility issues. I should’ve mentioned that bit about folding down the seats into a bed. Thanks for the PSA Steven! The Amtrak sleeper attendants are very accommodating 👍
I really enjoyed your positive and “take it as it is” attitude on this video. I’ve always been of the opinion that you do your best with what you have and what is offered. Can’t complain too much when you have a comfortable ride, decent food and a pleasing experience. We are due to take the Coast Starlight in Dec 2023-2024 in the winter month over Christmas and the New Year, family bedroom. I think our biggest challenge will be traveling with my daughter who is an extremely picky eater and my wife who is diabetic, but I’m good at thinking on my feet. I think sleeping on a train is such a cool thing to try. Can’t wait. The one electrical outlet seemed to be a challenging fact.
Dig the name haha. You’re right about doing your best with what you have as there’s no point in complaining which rarely solves problems. Don’t forget that you guys can bring your own foods, maybe a portable cooler could help out your daughter and wife. Plus there’s a snack bar for emergencies. Yes, don’t forget to bring a power strip for the whole family! I hope you and your family have a fantastic time visiting relatives during Christmas and New Years 🍻
Nice video. You talk so softly. Your voice sounds like you're talking in ASMR, lol. I have the manfrotto tripod as well. I was supposed to do Chicago to Low Angeles in April but the trip got cancelled at the last minute by Amtrak. I'm going to try to rebook the trip. I'm glad that you enjoyed your trip
Lol ASMR voice, thanks! That lil tripod is so handy ain’t it! Wow, that’s a bummer that your trip got canceled, I hope this time it goes without a hitch for you now that the weather in California in perfect.
I’ll be taking this route in November (then continuing by bus to Vancouver BC). Going in coach though because the cost for a roomette round trip was just too much. Either way I can’t wait. Great video!
I’m excited for you to try out this route and especially Vancouver. If you haven’t done an overnight trip in coach before here is my advice: when it’s night time, you’re allowed to move seats in coach so if you have trouble sleeping next to a stranger or want more space that’s something you can do. Bring a pillow, blanket, earplugs. Have fun on your trip and thanks!
Loved your vlog! I’ll be doing LA to Eugene, Oregon in a few months on the Starlight in a roomette as well. It looks like it will be a very pleasant and scenic experience. I was wondering if they sat you with other people in the dining car when traveling solo, but it appears you can get your own table which is cool. Thank you for a great vlog! It was very insightful! Safe travels! ✌🏻🙂✌🏻
Thanks! Oregon was my favorite state to pass through, so very green. For dining, they’ll come to your room and tell you which times are available (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and reserve your spot. It’s probably to spread out guest as to not crowd the dining car which is a bonus for us solo travelers. I hope your trip goes well, safe travels! ✌️😁
Hello Tommy.. thanks for a great video... I didn't know the coastal could go from LA to Seattle and I'm sure back... I'm still in the planning stages. I will be a single in a roomette... hoping coast to coast and boarder to boarder.
Hello Waianae. Yes the coastal starlight can go back to LA from Seattle. Tip: Make sure to refresh the dates you plan for as the price may become cheaper. Also play around with the dates as some days are cheaper than others, Mon-Thur for instance. Coach is by far the cheapest way to travel but I got no sleep as I couldn’t get used to the sleep position and person next to me. What I found out later is that you can move to an unoccupied seat at night, bonus points when both seats are empty which I saw plenty of. Good luck on your big adventure and have fun!
Hi Tommy, That was a great video! I wish we had more destinations that we could reach by train. It’s a very relaxing experience, especially with your own room. Did you stay in Seattle long? What did you do in Seattle? Until your next trip, Stay safe!😊
Hey Joyce! I stayed one night in Seattle as I was focused on making this video. I did walk to the ferris wheel and saw the space needle from a distance in downtown along with having stayed at a hostel at the corner of pike place fish market. It’s a beautiful city that I’d like to explore further. I also wish we had more train destinations in the states! See you again and thank you !😊
Nice! I rode the Coast Starlight from Emeryville (SF) to Seattle. I travelled in business since it wasn't the full route. Would love to take the full route one day though to see the coast. I did travel in roomettes on my journey from Chicago to San Francisco on the California Zephyr and then again from Seattle to Chicago on the Empire Builder. Roomettes make it so much better. :)
@@tommyinsane9932 Haha, I did travel a lot this past year, Iceland last October then the cross country train trip in May. Your vlogs are great have been really pushing me into visiting more of California! I really loved the state.
@@tommyinsane9932 California was by far my favorite if only because I got to explore some of it. The entire west is beautiful though. Utah, Washington and Montana had such beautiful landscapes too.
I had my aunt take the Sacramento to Tacoma run on this in a sleeper car in mid May, as that was how I moved up here ten years ago! I'm quite disappointed that they don't still have the Parlour car, as that was where I spent much of my time on that trip.
Wow! That’s amazing how you still remember that special experience from 10 years ago! I looked up pictures of the parlour car and it definitely looked quite unique as it’s own dining/lounging car
Amtrak: Americas best kept secret lol if you have music and time, one of the best things to do is go on Amtrak. Almost forgot how long the ride was because I was zoned out lol
I notice your room is on the left side of the train, going up north that means your room has the view of the ocean. I'm looking at booking one from LA union station to Portland and found rooms are assigned in random --- you can't select your room. So it really is luck if one is being assigned to the rooms on the left side of the train(heading north)?
I would get in touch with customer service to see if you could select your room or try to book with a representative. Certainly not all rooms are taken on the route because of the cost. My final resort would be to ask the room attendant at boarding time. I remember mine was super accommodating so that’s worth a shot. Good luck
It’s a cheapy from Amazon so it makes a buzzing sound that is worrying and it’s bulky so I would recommend this smaller one instead by anker www.amazon.com/Anker-Protector-Extension-PowerExtend-6-Outlets/dp/B08YY9X1JV/ref=pd_aw_ci_mcx_mh_mcx_views_0?pd_rd_w=D6fx9&content-id=amzn1.sym.be5b1f23-b91e-4e1a-9f5e-a760e8130d24&pf_rd_p=be5b1f23-b91e-4e1a-9f5e-a760e8130d24&pf_rd_r=M5B8CABKV7PJ1D4BAKCS&pd_rd_wg=UCXNg&pd_rd_r=cfe92852-24a7-459f-9780-b90ad31e1413&pd_rd_i=B08YY9X1JV You’ve taken most the Amtrak routes?! That’s nuts! Hope you enjoy this one!
I honestly cannot remember because it’s been so long and none of the meals were memorable haha. I want to say I got a 2-3 hours of good sleep. I don’t sleep well in new settings so that’s just me. I remember the feeling of the train moving on the tracks when laying down which was a new sensation to adjust to.
Sorry, dude, but all those "features" are extremely old--and only confirms my suspicions. I've traveled in a roomette with my wife multiple times between Los Angeles and Washington DC. Without exception, all Amtrak equipment in the Western part of the U.S. is ancient, completely in conformity with what you show us in your vid. Most significantly from my perspective there are two issues: (1) In the Eastern partof the country, your roomette includes a toilet in your room. In the Western part, it does not. (2) In the Western part of the country, when two people occupy a roomette, climbing into the upper bunk is extremely awkward--and not for those with clostrophobia. I'm not even clostrophobic but vertical clearance is extremely limited--and there is no view from there of the p;assing scenery--a major consideration of those who choose to take the train in the first place. In the Eastern part of the country, the upper bunk has greater head room with a viewing window, with of course curtains for those who choose the option of self-isolation. At least it's an option--not a requirement as it is with Western travelers in the U.S. Do such matters make any difference to you? Perhaps not, if you travel solo. For others though, perhaps it's time to petition your congressional representatives to raise such issues before uncritically supporting passenger rail expansion. All the best to you as you enjoy rail adventures--hopefully with much better equipment in the future!
Wow. Thank you for the perspective! I didn’t know the western amtrak roomette was that outdated. Definitely want to try the eastern rail next time to experience it myself. Thank you outlining the major differences especially on the bunk bed being bigger and having a viewing window!
