Is Amtrak's Accessible Bedroom Truly the BEST? | BONUS look at a Roomette on the Capitol Limited!

Hello and good evening from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! Today we are going to be taking a look at Amtrak's Accessible Bedroom, the largest bedroom that Amtrak has to offer, plus a BONUS look at an Amtrak Roomette!
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- Train Information -
Train Number: Capitol Limited #29
Train Consist: 1 Baggage car with 6 Superliner Cars (2 Sleeper, 1 Dining, 1 Coach)
Departure Time: 11:59pm
Arrival Time: 8:46am
Journey Time: 9hr 46min
Seat: Car 2901, Room H
Top Speed: 79 mph
Ticket Price: $425.57 ($35.57 for coach, plus $390 for bedroom upgrade)
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Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoyed!
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- Chapters -
0:00 Intro and Route Overview
0:40 Killing Time
0:58 Day into Night
1:05 The Union Station Rotunda
1:55 Original Plan and the Room Upgrade
2:44 Boarding
3:18 Departure from Pittsburgh
3:40 Accessible Bedroom Tour
8:03 The En Suite Bathroom
9:47 Room Security
10:27 Subscribe!
10:54 Shower Time!
12:36 The Light Problem
13:06 Bedtime
13:21 Waking up
14:03 Breakfast
15:46 Complementary Refreshment Station
16:18 Stats for Nerds!
17:28 BONUS! A Quick look at Amtrak's Roomette!
20:24 The South Shore Line
20:43 Top Speed
20:56 Seating in the Accessible Bedroom
21:50 Shave and a Haircut! Plus Lake Michigan
22:06 Outskirts of Chicago
22:25 Amtrak's Chicago Yard
23:01 Arrival and Disembark into Chicago
23:34 Chicago's Metropolitan Lounge
24:12 The Main Hall
24:25 Outro
Equipment:
Camera: iPhone 12 Pro Max
Gimbal: DJI OM5
Camera: GoPro Hero 9 Black
Camera: Sony AX-43
Mic: Rode Videomic Pro+
Tripod: Coman DF06 + Manfrotto 502 Head

[@shortythenut1]

I have mobility issues and found seeing this room very helpful, thank you!

[@LonestarTrips]

Glad it could be of assistance!

[@ellenfalls1330]

Had the privilege of a free upgrade to an accessible bedroom after a serious train delay and missed connection. Quite an experience.

[@LonestarTrips]

Sorry to hear you had those problems, but glad you were able to get a free upgrade!

[@thepinkyprincesspoetc.a.5767]

Being disabled myself I appreciate your video hon...Great Job❤️

[@Backslasherton]

The morning shots of Indiana is absolutely beautiful! Good camera work! Loved the video overall, Amtrak's rooms look a lot more comfortable than I'd imagined they would be.

[@LonestarTrips]

Thanks, and I'm glad you enjoyed! Amtrak's rooms often get a bad rap for being old, but they're still super comfortable.

[@vanessadobbins6885]

Thanks for taking us with you! I noticed others videos of Amtrak, the same equipment in the sleeper cars do not work. Food looks ok! 5 out of 10 is not good! I would love to plan a round trip (6/7 day ride). God bless you sir🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@dennisyoung4631]

Same for the Roomettes. Those are *Chill.* They have power, which is required if someone like me wishes to sleep (due to cranial deformities I was born with.)

[@transitriderproductions]

True but you need to try the new Viewliner II Sleeper Accessible bedroom now is the largest room ever Amtrak offers onboard. Go on one of the Silver Star or Meteor wherever they go and give a try and you will be surprised.

[@LonestarTrips]

Checking out the Viewliner IIs is on my to do list in the near future, and with what I've seen about them so far, I'm sure it'll be amazing!

[@transitriderproductions]

@@LonestarTrips Indeed, you will enjoy it, the bed is so comfortable and inside the room is very roomy and I love their shower, so big.

[@LonestarTrips]

@@transitriderproductions Sounds like a great time. I'll be sure to put it on the itinerary for future trips.

[@kcc7178]

As a frequent active wheelchair user and rider on AMTRAK and VIA Rail the Disabled rooms are procured very differently. Yes on AMTRAK you can book the Disabled room the day of if you are Able Body, however you DO pay the full bedroom price. On VIA Rail, the one Disabled room is ONLY available for those who are truly Disabled and you need a Doctor's note stating your classification of Disability. (In my case, it's Physically Disabled-Wheelchair User.) VIA Rail does a thorough check to make sure that you are Disabled before selling you the room. Like both trains, Caregivers are ALWAYS free, however VIA Rail also requires proof that your Caregiver is legitimate, while AMTRAK doesn't care. Because these rooms are both too far from the Dining car, you will get your meals in your room. The nice thing about VIA Rail compared to AMTRAK is the location of the room and the amenities that you get compared to AMTRAK. Anyways, my next train trips are in November roundtrip from Seattle to Chicago and April of 2023 VIA Rail The Canadian roundtrip from Vancouver to Toronto. Anyways I hope this helps any and all Disabled train travelers.

[@gabrielapaulinho1luv]

I totally ❤❤❤ your comment! Wishing you lots of fun travels on Amtrak this November and on VIA Rail Canada next April. I have a soft spot for VIA, a company that seems very ethical in how its rooms and seats are designed and located, in its amenities (yes!), in its attendants' true kindness-in-service, and in its awesome, generous meals. I'm glad to learn from you that VIA performs due diligence where accessible rooms and their prospective guests for those rooms are concerned.

[@kcc7178]

@Doctor Whos If you book the Disabled room (day of travel) on Amtrak (not on VIA Rail) and you are NOT Disabled, then yes, you have to pay full price of a Deluxe Bedroom. I already said this in my comment.

[@PghDon77]

My son, his mother and I went from Pittsburgh to Chicago and back on a 29 and 30 to visit her family in Illinois back in 2009 and 2010 we took a sleeper twice and I have to say I'm very happy with it, we were advised that we had a meal coming to us when we left Chicago and didn't realize it, the food was really good..

[@AT-nq6cu]

I found your channel recently and like it a lot. I'm looking forward to watching the great travel content on it. I hope you can take Amtrak Cardinal someday from NYC to Chicago and tell us about it. From what I hear it's a great travel journey through the Appalachian region. Safe travels and Thank You.

[@LonestarTrips]

Thanks for stopping by! I've also heard great things about the Cardinal, so I'll be sure to add it to my list of travels in the future.

[@stephenkeever6029]

I am looking forward to your report on Chicago's Union Station. I would really enjoy a series on the best stations in the USA.

[@LonestarTrips]

Not sure how much of a report I'll be able to make on the station, but I'll see what I can do!

[@joemeyers3127]

Excellent video. Thanks for taking us along. Hope you do more overnight trains.

[@dennisyoung4631]

The rooms/Roomettes help a lot if you’re needing peace and quiet (and fearful of offending people in spite of your best efforts.) That “comically large” lever might well help someone with a “movement disorder,” e.g. severe dyspraxia, or more-modest levels of dyspraxia when one is unduly fatigued or stressed. I often experience the latter situation. The upper bunk in Roomettes work well for one’s (medical) supplies and clothing. I had two large bags, plus a backpack…

[@SirKenchalot]

Another great video; looking forward to the next episode. Hope you're planning to travel Brightline to Orlando International when that's done later this year. or next.

[@LonestarTrips]

As soon as Brightline announces the opening of the Orlando station, I'm booking my tickets!

[@SD45-ET44AC]

Good thing you purchased your bedroom before leaving the station. My wife and I we’re going to stay in a roomette on a train from Cary, NC heading to Orlando, FL and realized it may be too small as I’m a 6’, 300 lb. man. We asked about an empty bedroom down the hall and were told we would have to call Amtrak after our train left the station & we had to call the 1-800-USA-RAIL and purchase the bedroom online. As far as the light under the door we just put a towel lengthwise on the floor. Much more comfortable experience! 🚂

[@parkerjon29]

I've never felt that the light under the door was an issue...lol I mean you're going 79mph usually, banging around all night with a train horn that keeps me up sometimes, but I still love sleeping on the train

[@broyofroyo1207]

Thank you now I know more about the accessible bedroom do more overnight trip reports and maybe one day you can ride VIA Rail in Canada you should do that

[@LonestarTrips]

I plan on heading up to Canada at some point, not sure when though, and I will do more sleeper videos in the future, just gotta plan them into my trips.

[@broyofroyo1207]

@@LonestarTrips yeah I like via Canadian rail and Amtrak but I’ve never left this country an rod Amtrak only on 1 ROUND TRIP

[@LonestarTrips]

@@broyofroyo1207 I plan on taking the Canadian and checking out the Renaissance cars on The Ocean.

[@broyofroyo1207]

@@LonestarTrips YAY when will you do that or did you do it but not uploading it when will you upload it

[@LonestarTrips]

@@broyofroyo1207 Haven't done it yet, but I definitely want to!

[@markmcfrederick8932]

As you noted uncleanly issues and facilities that aren't working, you should have noted them and given them to the attendant. If they don't know about the problems, they can't take care of the issues, and they just get passed on, & on, & on to the next passenger. You could even leave the list on the seat so that housekeeping and maintenance could pass it on.

[@LonestarTrips]

I think the uncleanliness issues came from the fact that they were not anticipating another passenger staying in that room for the remainder of the journey. As I mentioned in the video, I booked the upgrade at the station, and when I boarded, the car attendant had to make sure I was actually in the right place, as he too didn't know that I would be staying there. I think given more time to prepare, the room would've been cleaner. As for the non-functioning water dispenser (I assume that's what you're referring to), those are super inconsistent from train to train, and I would bet that over half of them across Amtrak's fleet have one fault or another. Instead of repairing them, Amtrak has just opted to go the easy route and use bottled water instead.

[@markmcfrederick8932]

@@LonestarTrips You also mentioned a light or 2. Having ridden Amtrak across country several times, I'm comfortable with my comment. I choose to approach life with being part of the solution.

[@LonestarTrips]

@@markmcfrederick8932 That's great, and I'm glad you approach life with that mentality! That being said, it seemed clear to me that Amtrak was already aware of the water issue, and the cleanliness issue can't really be fixed given the timeframe of events. And seeing as it was a sold out train from that point on, or at least the rooms were, I wouldn't have anywhere to stay while the room was being cleaned.

[@markmcfrederick8932]

@@LonestarTrips I'm done. Peace. MM

[@mikewrasman5103]

While the Amtrak personnel were cleaning up your room, you could have gone to the observation deck!

[@Skyflte]

Union Station is the most beautiful station I have ever went to. better than Newarks Penn Station.

[@gatorjay7972]

Notice the missing paint on the left front of the engine. Looks like it might have been caused by striking something.

[@emmanuelsavage1271]

I took the "Capitol" to Washington and had a roomette. It was a very comfortable ride, slept well and enjoyed a good breakfast....

[@largebigboy3123]

Good soup 👍

[@LonestarTrips]

Good soup👍

[@user-rd9kh8zy7f]

I enjoy your videos very much. Could you explore and explain the stations more? Where do you walk in, buy tickets, shops, food etc.

[@barroningram7286]

pause at 2:30 , you can see how tough it is to repair damage on this shell style body after a wreck

[@BruceM8]

Great video and very interesting. You do a good job of explaining things and keeping the video moving and interesting. I may be confusing the family bedroom with the accessible bedroom, but does the accessible bedroom have double windows like the regular roomettes? I'm thinking it only has a single window, reducing the viewing range. I was surprised that you didn't tell us a couple things. I realize you got the accessible room at the last minute as an upgrade, but is it generally considered available to non-disabled passengers? Also, how much did the room cost you as a last-minute upgrade, and what is a more typical cost? On a more general level, are last-minute upgrades a good way to get a better price from Amtrak, or doesn't it make a difference? Thanks.

[@samtrak1204]

Is the handicap room priced the same as a regular bedroom or roomette? I'm just wondering if persons with disabilities are penalized by paying sky high bedroom fare although cheaper roomettes are inaccessible?

[@LonestarTrips]

I honestly don't know. I would certainly hope that Amtrak isn't trying to price gouge with the accessible room, but seeing as it is a "premium" over the roomette, it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect a higher price overall by virtue of the extra space afforded.

[@transitriderproductions]

Actually, you can call Amtrak and confirm your disability and they will reserve you a accessible room at roomette price not the bedroom price, that what I had done many times when I travelled on Silver Meteor in the past. Make sure do this at least 7-14 days in advance to ensure availability of the room.

[@LonestarTrips]

@@transitriderproductions Good to know! Glad Amtrak is able to make accommodations for people with disabilities!

[@transitriderproductions]

@@LonestarTrips Yes, I have pictures and its on my website and I forgot to make video out of it but I will one day soon when they restore the Silver Meteor in October.

[@mikewrasman5103]

I was working at a combination supermarket/department store and an old hag parked in the handicapped space. The old hag's car didn't have a handicapped placard on her dashboard. The old hag thought that she was entitled! So, I notified the store customer service and also called the local police, who came and gave the old hag a ticket for using a handicapped parking space without a handicapped placard. The fine for doing that is beyond expensive! I'm sure that was an extremely expensive fine for the old hag!

[@frankrueter5218]

Been on this train a number of times going to LAX from CLE. Beware off flooding the shower room dressing area. Some of the sleepers have a glass door to the shower but on more than one occasion it was missing the gasket on the bottom. Wound up flooding the dressing room and into the hallway. Wonder why there wasn't a drain in the dressing area floor in case of flood...

[@pastorjerrykliner3162]

I got bumped up from a Roomette to a "Accessible Bedroom" on the Capitol Limited a couple years back when Amtrak screwed up my reservation. It was interesting riding on the lower-level. In the middle of the night, we hit a shopping cart which someone had dumped onto the tracks and it got stuck right under where I was sleeping. Quite...noisy. Overall, I'd rather be on the upper level of the Superliner coach.

[@gatorjay7972]

Why are new Venture Cars in storage. I thought they were going into service.

[@youdontknowme2915]

How big do you want the trash can? How much trash do you make?

[@toy4x4nj]

Would be nice if the has a AM departure !

[@mattf3761]

I need one of those Amtrak blankets! Hahaha

[@LonestarTrips]

I may or may not have one 😉🤫

[@mattf3761]

@@LonestarTrips lucky! I depart Monday from Grand Rapids to Denver. Pere Marquette & California Zephyr. Wish me luck & thank you for the excellent content!

[@LonestarTrips]

@@mattf3761 Wow that sounds like a fantastic adventure! Safe travels!

[@johnchambers8528]

I have ridden the Capitol Ltd. Several times since the Broadway Ltd. was discontinued. I live in Philadelphia and prefer to go to Washington DC and change there rather than take the Pennsylvanian to Pittsburgh and change there. In the past when the dinning car had full service fare I enjoyed a nice dinner in the dinner as well as the option of going to sleep in my sleeping car earlier if I choose to. However now with the limited dinning car fare it may be better to go west to Pittsburgh and change there especially if the fare is cheeper.

[@stevehill6062]

Being handicapped and actually needing an accessible room, really hope that Amtrak would not give the room to someone that just wants more space who doesn't need it! Please know that this is not judgemental towards you, would actually like to know their standing on this issue.

[@nicolepaulk3537]

You can't book it unless you indicate that someone in your party has a disability. It's only offered to able-bodied passengers if no one with a disability has booked it within a certain time of the train departure.

[@youdontknowme2915]

How was the tray table “lackluster”? What did you want a tray table to do?

[@LonestarTrips]

I wanted it to be clean and high enough to be usable when actually seated.

[@youdontknowme2915]

@@LonestarTrips it does work when seated, not when laying in bed

[@LonestarTrips]

@@youdontknowme2915 Not really for me, it doesn't. I often find that the tray table hits my legs when seated.

[@paksangtse1131]

The one that you have is the old superliner? As it feels unfurnished

[@ecw0647]

I have a problem making the doors inaccessible from the outside when locked on the inside. My wife has Parkinson's and is often completely immobile. We had the accessible bedroom on the Texas Eagle one trip. It's a nice room and good if you have a wheelchair. (BTW, the person traveling with a handicapped person gets a special rate.) But, if she had locked the door to go the bathroom, then went "off" (Parkinson's term) and became immobile, I would not have been able to get back in the room, nor could anyone, to help. They need some kind of over-ride for authorized staff to bypass the lock.

[@paullynch647]

I am hoping the new Viewliner II has a better sleeping setup. No steps to climb. One bed across the window & one where it is now. Older people can not climb stairs. Many seniors have the finances but no climbing ability. Thank you!

[@mikewrasman5103]

Get over it! Amtrak has made enough accommodations for you old coots!

[@mikewrasman5103]

Stop your whining and stay home!

[@paullynch647]

@@mikewrasman5103, maybe you can explain the upgrades or improvements that Amtrak has done for us old timers. People like us use the trains on many occasions like the Auto Train, the Acela, the regional trains and the long distance vacation trains. We pay top dollar and get little or no improvements that you have regaled us with. The new Viewliner cars are few and far between, the Auto Train is constantly running hours late or not at all. The only positive asset on the Amtrak Rail System is the employees.

[@marytobin6858]

If you're in a wheelchair how do you get to the upper level?

[@Lora-G]

You don't. I'm in a chair and will be on Zephyr in September to Denver from SF. No way to go up or even hop off for air as the stops are short. So I'll be judging whether the cost is worth the view! First Amtrak voyage for me.

[@mikewrasman5103]

You use the accessible bedroom on the first floor!!

[@mikewrasman5103]

That's how I roll and I'm in a wheelchair! You get air conditioning in your accessible bedroom Suck it up!

[@samtrak1204]

Did you drink water from the faucet?

[@LonestarTrips]

I didn't actually drink it, but I did use it while brushing my teeth.

[@aldur7630]

The maybe good for handicap but i would not sleep or have to look up a toilet in plan view. Not to manching the other toilet outside the cabin which if some use it i can hear someone flush it

[@samtrak1204]

No Sightseer Lounge?

[@LonestarTrips]

Unfortunately not. And no traditional dining, either. The Capitol Limited and the Texas Eagle both have yet to see the return of either of those amenities, which is unreasonable, considering that the rest of Amtrak's long distance routes have had them return.

[@PghDon77]

There was a rumor they took that particular car off the Capitol limited because of the one tunnel​@@LonestarTrips

[@stuartlee6622]

WHAT do you wear from your room to the shower? A bathrobe?

[@clydes3987]

How much

[@conniekirkland4425]

♥️👍

[@sly5346]

The lever is NOT comicly large. Handicapped Accessible ♿️ is defined by easy to manipulate and larger grabs on essentials.

[@hilove5658]

The omlete would been better.

[@Dovietail]

That torn up box of soap looks utterly crappy. Amtrak should try to do better, especially considering how much people are paying for bedroom accommodations!

[@user-jj1uy5qg6n]

I will be very happy when the surgeon get rid of these catarats It so differcukt to see the small print I went my eye Dr last week No motter what she did it was no help For now it hurry up and wait

[@TheRzoo]

Please don’t book the accessible bedroom unless you have mobility challenges.

[@LonestarTrips]

I booked day of. It was the last available room and it was going to be unoccupied if I didn’t book it.

[@ChrisKChastain]

We take Amtrak from Jacksonville Fl to Orlando, the price for a roomette or a bedroom is ridiculously over priced

[@mikewrasman5103]

Flying is way Beyond OVERPRICED! In addition, the airline personnel are really RUDE about passengers!

[@ChrisKChastain]

@@mikewrasman5103 Jax to Orlando is a 3 hr run, not paying 400 dollars for a roomette on that short of a run. (wife is disabled and a roomette would give her a place to relax) You can get airline tickets cheaper than that!

[@Dovietail]

This whole train car needs to be completely refurbished. It has all the charm a Penn Station in New York before the cleaners have been through.

[@MartySlighte]

That "ton of room" gets VERY VERY small when you consider the size of a large powerchair.

[@mikewrasman5103]

Then use a regular wheelchair!

[@MartySlighte]

@@mikewrasman5103 Okay, go on your trip without your legs. FfS

[@pleappleappleap]

Disembark? It's not a boat.

[@LonestarTrips]

What would you rather I say?

[@pleappleappleap]

@@LonestarTrips Detrain? Alight? Exit?

[@linesided]

Hospital bed meets Space Station aesthetics. I salute the design of this unbelievably ugly space. Hopefully it didn't smell too.

[@daveyboy_]

Looks pretty crap for whatever u paid. I'm assuming it was expensive as all hell .

[@mikewrasman5103]

Try flying on a plane! The airplane seats are extremely small! The food are peanuts and a soda. Plus, airline fares are extremely OVERPRICED!

[@daveyboy_]

@Mike Wrasman if you're comparing apples and oranges then yeah .

[@glennpilotte1651]

Couch videos

[@Lora-G]

DO NOT USE AMTRAK! I'm stuck in Denver cause my accessible room potty was broken. No other accessible room for 6 days! Hotel bills. I'm taking the coach seat they offered but will not be able to safely use the bathroom or lay flat for 32-36 hours if I'm lucky as don't get delayed. DO NOT USE AMTRAK unless your willing to pay $1400 for a trip that I never wanted. Never again AMTRAK.

[@LonestarTrips]

Sorry you had a bad experience with Amtrak! It's unfortunate that they aren't able to find a replacement service for you in 6 days, but at that point, why not fly? Denver is a massive airport, and there's most likely a flight to your final destination. Considering you said 32-36 hours, I can only assume your final destination is San Francisco, which means there are plenty of flights between the two cities. It may not be as comfortable or accommodating as the accessible bedroom, but airport staff are always willing to assist, plus it's faster and way cheaper than taking the train.

[@mikewrasman5103]

Wrong!

[@BS-pd9hk]

yuck, the entire room/train is nasty dirty

[@jem7857]

Not worth the money.

[@mikewrasman5103]

Really!?! I NEVER have a problem with Amtrak! Planes have NO accessible bedrooms and NO accessible restrooms!

[@ricklane7007]

​@@mikewrasman5103 they barely have a restroom at all.