All aboard! Thanks, guys, I'm on the train now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can eat/drink whatever you want anywhere.

Bags typically go overhead.

Remember to take your ticket stub with you when you go to the bathroom/snack car/whatever -- it stays with you, not at your seat.

What ticket stub are talking about?

OP here - I have to print off my email ticket, so thinking I keep that.

No, when they take your ticket they take a little slip of paper, punch holes in certain spots, and then stick it into a slot over your seat. Every passenger has one, and based on the color/letter/holes on your slip, the conductor knows when you're supposed to get off the train. If you leave your seat for any reason, you need to take that with you.

(Note: That's how unreserved trains work; I'm not sure about reserved seats, I know I've done that once or twice but I can't remember if they had those little slips or not.

Those are seat checks, and you ONLY take them with you if you're switching seats. If there's no seat check above the seat, then people will think the seat is unoccupied (if you go to the bathroom or the snack car for a few minutes, for example).

Have a lock for your luggage, as sometimes you may have to leave it in a luggage area in your car (depending on size and car configuration).

Anonymous wrote:I will be using Amtrak from DC to NY during Spring break. Is it usually a problem to find seats together (family of 4) since seats are not assigned in advance and our train starts from Richmond. Does it help if we get there early? I have never ridden a train before and would like to avoid the horror stories that I have heard about kids being separated from parents on airplanes. Thanks!

Getting there early helps a little, but not much -- the line to board typically forms relatively late in the process.

The biggest thing is probably the time of day you're leaving. Certain departure times are more crowded than others (like a 5:30 would be packed with people leaving after work).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can eat/drink whatever you want anywhere.

Bags typically go overhead.

Remember to take your ticket stub with you when you go to the bathroom/snack car/whatever -- it stays with you, not at your seat.

What ticket stub are talking about?

OP here - I have to print off my email ticket, so thinking I keep that.

No, when they take your ticket they take a little slip of paper, punch holes in certain spots, and then stick it into a slot over your seat. Every passenger has one, and based on the color/letter/holes on your slip, the conductor knows when you're supposed to get off the train. If you leave your seat for any reason, you need to take that with you.

(Note: That's how unreserved trains work; I'm not sure about reserved seats, I know I've done that once or twice but I can't remember if they had those little slips or not.

My DD who is prone to motion sickness travels by Amtrak all the time and has never gotten sick. She usually buys a Subway sandwich to eat during the trip and doesn't go to the snack car.

I will be using Amtrak from DC to NY during Spring break. Is it usually a problem to find seats together (family of 4) since seats are not assigned in advance and our train starts from Richmond. Does it help if we get there early? I have never ridden a train before and would like to avoid the horror stories that I have heard about kids being separated from parents on airplanes. Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can eat/drink whatever you want anywhere.

Bags typically go overhead.

Remember to take your ticket stub with you when you go to the bathroom/snack car/whatever -- it stays with you, not at your seat.

What ticket stub are talking about?

OP here - I have to print off my email ticket, so thinking I keep that.

Anonymous wrote:You can eat/drink whatever you want anywhere.

Bags typically go overhead.

Remember to take your ticket stub with you when you go to the bathroom/snack car/whatever -- it stays with you, not at your seat.

What ticket stub are talking about?

Thanks guys! All the advice has given me a better understanding so I can enjoy the trip.

Don't ride backwards.
Bring your own food and water.
Have lots of reading material or other distractions.

Enjoy!

I miss traveling by train.

The food is really not great. You can buy alcohol (and to be honest, sometimes one drink helps me with motion sickness (for others drinking can make it worse, I know).

I find the motion fairly soothing - great for taking a nap!

But depending on the times you'll be on the train, I'd bring or buy food in the station (not sure what Richmond's station is like - union station has some decent options) and break it out on the train.

If your luggage is very large, there are sometimes racks in the front or back of the car where you can put your luggage, if you don't want overhead. But things aren't as secure on trains, so I'd just be aware of valuables.

Some people just go hang out in the lounge compartment the entire train ride, rather than a typical seat.

Anonymous wrote:If the tickets are all sold out, does that mean all the seats will be filled? How early can I get on?

I'd avoid the backward seats.

Anyone know how overnight parking works in Richmond at the Main St. Station?

What train is it? I doubt it would be full by the time it get's to Richmond. It will fill up in DC and beyond. I'm thinking there will be plenty of seats when you get on.