Amtrak in a Sleeper Car from Oakland to Seattle

Travel by train is old-world, slow-living stuff and evokes all the Golden Age of Travel vibes that I'm always drawn to. I haven't the travel budget to take my family on the Orient Express but Joel researched this simple Amtrak trip as part of our route home for Christmas. Booking early was key, there are not very many sleeper cars but with very little fuss we were locked in. The boys were beyond excited for this trip. Here's how it went. 

Our train was delayed an hour so we really should have just watched the app and left later from our house. With trains, unlike planes, you can do that. They don't care, you don't check-in. The Oakland Station is not very big, has pretty spartan amenities and is low on any type of staff. Unlike European stations, the trains don't come into a grand covered platform. You take your first-class ticket and wander down the side of a building stepping over heaps of garbage on your way to your car. There is a porter at each carriage helping passengers aboard. Ours took us to our room where she'd set up the beds because it was past 10pm by the time we were in there. It was time for bed. 

The sleeper room was tiny, like being in an airplane bathroom. You can reach everything from your bed! Everything could use a coat of paint and a refresh but it was passable. Like a motel 6 levels of elegance. I wasn't expecting the Venice Simpleton but finding a syringe and garbage under a seat was definitely below expectation. 

The kids were REALLY excited about the first few hours but 24 was too long. These trains are not set up for children, once they have explored the train cars and read a book... that's it. Amtrak does absolutely nothing for kids, no welcome packs like the national parks or staff who engage them in any way. You're spending most of your time telling them to shhhhhh because everyone else is older and asleep. 

Was it a bucket list thing? Sure. Am I a fan of Amtrak? Not really. I might consider a shorter trip if it really makes sense but honestly I'd prefer the adventure van bunk experience with more outdoor stops and ability to choose routes with look-outs to see views. Trains of course, take the flat route, so you mostly see fields and the backs of industrial areas. 

The boys have positive memories despite the hours they complained after that 12 hour mark so I'm glad we tried this and now this bucket list item is crossed off. Time to plan the next adventure.