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ity. As with almost everything else, a lot depends on what kind of
accommodations you have.
Amtrak coaches don't have showers. There are simply too
many passengers to convert a much-needed lavatory into a
shower, so almost all coach passengers just do without, especially
if it's just one overnight. But a practical alternative is a minimal
sponge bath, which you can accomplish in one of the lavatories.
Just add a washcloth and a small bar of soap in a plastic bag
when you pack.
Viewliner sleepers have a shower room at the end of the car,
and Superliner sleepers have one on the lower level. If you're
in a roomette, you'll need to use the shower on the lower level.
They're a bit cramped, especially if you're tall, but they work
quite well. The prescribed method is Navy-style: water on, get
wet, water off, soap up, water on, rinse, water off.
There's also a shower in each of the large bedrooms in both
Viewliners and Superliners. Actually it's a compartment the size
of a phone booth—a
small
phone booth—containing both a toi-
let and a shower. The shower works like the one on the lower
level, except you have even less room to maneuver because of the
toilet. I've noted this elsewhere, but it bears repeating: Be careful
not to press the “shower” button when you meant to flush the
toilet. You'll need a good sense of humor if you do.
Sleeping in Coach Class
Any way you slice it, you'll be sleeping in a chair. That's not
nearly as bad as it sounds, though, because Amtrak's coach seats
are large and comfortable. They recline and most have leg rests.
In fact, they're pretty much like that nice recliner in your living
room, the one you fall asleep in while watching late movies. The
major difference, of course, is the noise and motion of the train
and the other people around you. Some passengers don't seem to
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