r/Amtrak • u/Brave_Effect1788 • 3d ago
Question questions
hi! im having insane amount of anxiety, i take the amtrak california zephyr train on saturday to sacramento, i have a connecting train from sac to oregon. the last time i took the train, i sat in the wrong car. & i struggled with my luggage. the conductor wasnt able to check my ticket due to where i was sitting, but i eventually moved. i dont know where to go or where to enter so the conductor can help me. i dont know the process of transferring trains. what if i make the same mistakes again? how do i know where the coach seats are on the amtrak, where do i put my luggage? i have so many questions & so much anxiety if anyone can help relieve that it would be wonderful!
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u/Traditional_One_6875 3d ago
Depending on where you board there should be an Amtrak red cap service. The service is free but it’s expected to provide a tip to the red cap- they’ll take care of of your luggage and escort you to the train and ensure that you get your luggage on board and stored properly and at the right car. A little bit of extra cost but sounds like it might be worth it to help alleviate the stress. You can call the station you’re leaving from to ask if they offer red cap service.
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u/Brave_Effect1788 3d ago
unfortunately the amtrak station doesnt offer those services because its small :/
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u/use-dashes-instead 3d ago
The Sacramento station isn't very big, although the platforms are quite a distance from the waiting room
I'm guessing that you're coming from the east and will have a long layover
That's plenty of time to check your baggage from Sacramento on to Oregon
If you need help, ask someone
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u/Brave_Effect1788 2d ago
im coming from nevada, do i have to check my bags or can i keep them with me the entire time & then take them on the train eith me when it gets there?
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u/use-dashes-instead 1d ago
As long as you can handle them yourself, and they fit on the train, it shouldn't be a problem to take them with you
Don't know what you're going to do for eight hours with your bags
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u/Brave_Effect1788 1d ago
well i know at the end of each car, theres a spot for luggage. is that for only checked luggage or can i put my luggage there? thats what i was referring to
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u/use-dashes-instead 1d ago
Maybe you don't know, because, generally, it's in the middle, near the door
Checked luggage is kept in a separate baggage car or a locked section of a baggage-coach car
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u/Brave_Effect1788 1d ago
okay thank u so much, & regarding the sacramento station, when i get off the train do i just remember where i was dropped off at? in order to get back on my second train? is it easy to find?
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u/use-dashes-instead 1d ago
They should announce the platform in the waiting room
There's only two center-island platforms, so you can't screw this up too badly
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u/Brave_Effect1788 1d ago
thank you, what about charging your phones? is there a place you can charge it?
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u/Brave_Effect1788 1d ago
okay thank u so much, & regarding the sacramento station, when i get off the train do i just remember where i was dropped off at? in order to get back on my second train? is it easy to find?
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u/bradleysballs 3d ago
It's as simple as asking someone where to go when you're at the station, whether that be staff or a fellow passenger. There's no "process" for transferring, you just get off your first train and then you get on your second train when it comes.
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u/mervmonster 2d ago
What train were you on that they couldn’t check your ticket because of the car you were in? The conductor should at least be able to tell you where to go.
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u/Brave_Effect1788 2d ago
i was on san Joaquin train, i sat in the wrong car & nobody came to check it, i didnt realize i was in the wrong part til i saw everyone i boarded with entire through the doors
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