CMStPnP Lets see...........now I wonder who is married and single in this discussion thread.......lol. Toot-Toot.........all aboard the Southbound Express, off on a tangent we go with too much information being given out.
Lets see...........now I wonder who is married and single in this discussion thread.......lol. Toot-Toot.........all aboard the Southbound Express, off on a tangent we go with too much information being given out.
True. Also some of the complaints we used to hear from sam1 about people on transit might apply to some of this thread's occupants as well.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
That sounds like a unrealistic dream and a big money($) loser right off the bat. Take a sponge bath,use wipes for the purpose of cleansing the skin.
I take it no one has ever heard of the pits and pubes wash? That's really the only two areas you need to worry about and it can easily be done in a coash washroom.
The new Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago has a shower room. Coach passengers are not admitted to the lounge but maybe if you go to the Legacy Club and pay your $20 they might issue you a pass to use the Metropolitan Lounge shower room. It wouldn't hurt to ask and it is alot better than trying to shower on the train.
I've used the Fort Gary Hotel routine many times in the 1970s to clean up before train showers. Now a day the hotels are so expensive that a couple of hours will cost you over $100 bucks easy. Too much for a shower.
curioustravhi, does everybody traveling overnight have access to the met lounge? thank you.
In Chicago they have a deal where you can pay $20 and they will give you access to the Legacy Club which is somewhat similar to the Metropolitian Lounge but not the same.
Additionally there is a Gym at Union Station in Chicago that has showers, lockers and a dressing room. You can call about buying a day pass that would give you access to the Gym and the showers. Here is a link:
http://ffc.com/unionstation/
Johnny
Buslist At the time, scoots used Pacifics as well as E-units and GP-7's were often on off-peak trains. Steam-heat was still usual, the single-level green and brown rebuilt air-conditions coaches that formerly were long-distance were sitll in use, and power cars provided head-end power. I do not recall whether the two-car GP-7 hauled scoot I rode also had a power car. It must have had one, but I don't remember it. When I returned to live in the area in 1967, lots had changed. All trains were bilevel, the locomotives provided head-end power, and all trains were push-pull, with an E-unit on Aurora end and a cab-car on the city end. But it was still the Q., one could still ride a Denver Zephyr and a California Zephyr, etc. daveklepper At one time Chicago Union Station had such an amenity. Before my first day at EMD LaGrange, around 15 June 1952, arriving on the Trail Blazer overnigiht PRR coach from New York, I used it and changed clothes before boarding a GP-7 hauled two-car bilevel "Q" to La Grange. Wished you'd taken a picture, never seen a Q scoot with a Geep!
At the time, scoots used Pacifics as well as E-units and GP-7's were often on off-peak trains. Steam-heat was still usual, the single-level green and brown rebuilt air-conditions coaches that formerly were long-distance were sitll in use, and power cars provided head-end power. I do not recall whether the two-car GP-7 hauled scoot I rode also had a power car. It must have had one, but I don't remember it.
When I returned to live in the area in 1967, lots had changed. All trains were bilevel, the locomotives provided head-end power, and all trains were push-pull, with an E-unit on Aurora end and a cab-car on the city end. But it was still the Q., one could still ride a Denver Zephyr and a California Zephyr, etc.
daveklepper At one time Chicago Union Station had such an amenity. Before my first day at EMD LaGrange, around 15 June 1952, arriving on the Trail Blazer overnigiht PRR coach from New York, I used it and changed clothes before boarding a GP-7 hauled two-car bilevel "Q" to La Grange.
At one time Chicago Union Station had such an amenity. Before my first day at EMD LaGrange, around 15 June 1952, arriving on the Trail Blazer overnigiht PRR coach from New York, I used it and changed clothes before boarding a GP-7 hauled two-car bilevel "Q" to La Grange.
Wished you'd taken a picture, never seen a Q scoot with a Geep!
I agree. But it might be profitable in major interchange stations, Pennsylvania Sta. NY, Chicago Union, Washington Union, New Orleans, Los Angeles Union, as part of the 1st-Class- lounge, with coach passengers paying a fee.
If you consider the possible lost revenue from losing a couple seats, plus the cost of providing towels, soap, etc., plus the need to clean, plus the amount of extra water that would have to be carried, plus the need to heat that water, I have a hard time thinking this could be profitable. YMMV.
Tom
oltmannd I wonder if pay, timed showers might work in coaches. Amtrak should do it if it could break even on the investment. Something along the lines of what's often installed in campgrounds. A couple bucks a minute, navy style.
I wonder if pay, timed showers might work in coaches. Amtrak should do it if it could break even on the investment. Something along the lines of what's often installed in campgrounds. A couple bucks a minute, navy style.
If Amtrak had an entrepreneurial culture, they'd embrace this as an opportunity not just to break even but to make a few extra bucks (either by charging more than the cost, or by attracting additional customers from the population of those who currently opt not to travel by Amtrak because of the discomfort of going unbathed.)
GREG WEBER The diner separates coaches from sleepers. The dining car staff will prevent you from entering the sleepers, if any are present.
The diner separates coaches from sleepers. The dining car staff will prevent you from entering the sleepers, if any are present.
It's contrary to Amtrak policy, but you might get away with it.
If I were a coach passenger and desperate for a shower I'd use this approach: I'd stroll into the sleeper and seek out the attendant. I'd smile and be humble as I explained my plight, and as I did so I'd wordlessly hand him a folded $20 bill. I'd bet he'd make sure I had fresh towels before he walked away from me. On the odd chance that wouldn't work I'd simply go into the next sleeper and look for that car's attendant.
I have never in my life had someone who'd take my proffered tip without fulfilling my request. You'd be surprised and delighted at what wonderful benefits this practice can effect from hotel check-in clerks and maitre d's. Why not car attendants?
Probably a big difference in the size of my bank account, too.
ACY The original question was in reference to coach travel. I have a feeling First Class on Emirates is something entirely different, although how would I know? I've never even considered doing it. Tom
The original question was in reference to coach travel. I have a feeling First Class on Emirates is something entirely different, although how would I know? I've never even considered doing it.
I have, long ago. You'd notice a difference.
Trackrat888: Another "bathing wipes" option is two brands sold at REI stores and I would guess online at REI site as well. Come about 8 to a pack for +/- $8./pack.
Two or three does a remarkably god job in place of a shower, for me. Have used for days on end dry-camped in our RV, or on some train trips on Amtrak. No body odor! Also, recommend (not cheap) Icebreakers New Zealand wool travel garments: T shirts, polo shirts, socks. Trousers aren't so practical though, not like usual pants for pockets, crispness of appearance. These clothes take days or weeks to absorb enough odor to need washing, so you can pack fewer shirts and socks and still stay sweet smelling (with your bathing wipes, of course!)
www.icebreaker.com/
www.rei.com
trackrat888 My first choice is the YMCA and my Y membership is good at any other Y for a small fee. I travel to and from small citys like Toledo, Flint MI, Erie PA and Dubuque IA. Big Citys are Philly and Boston. Now I noticed a number of Ys have left downtowns for the burbs. In NY City the Y was a nightmare but that was 15 years ago. The Mayflower had day rates for 50-60 bucks. I have noticed that perhaps LA Fitness now has some downtown locations. Seems Amtrak has left this out of the equasion and should have pay showers at their Metropoliton Lounges. Come on 4-5 days without a shower may have worked when i was a young hippy but now I am getting that old people smell
My first choice is the YMCA and my Y membership is good at any other Y for a small fee. I travel to and from small citys like Toledo, Flint MI, Erie PA and Dubuque IA. Big Citys are Philly and Boston. Now I noticed a number of Ys have left downtowns for the burbs. In NY City the Y was a nightmare but that was 15 years ago. The Mayflower had day rates for 50-60 bucks. I have noticed that perhaps LA Fitness now has some downtown locations. Seems Amtrak has left this out of the equasion and should have pay showers at their Metropoliton Lounges. Come on 4-5 days without a shower may have worked when i was a young hippy but now I am getting that old people smell
I haven't, either. I don't even want to know the price for a ticket.
ACY Do airlines provide showers for travelers on long (intercontinental) trips?
Interestingly enough, Emirates offers 5 minute showers on its A380s. It is important to note that only first class passengers are able to use them. They have fold down beds and other amenities.
ACY Coaches used to be called "day coaches". Sleeping cars are called sleeping cars. By implication, coaches are for those traveling short distances, or traveling on a budget. If you're traveling a long distance and need to shower on the way, maybe you should consider a sleeper instead. If you can't afford the sleeper, maybe Amtrak can't afford to give you a shower. After all, their main function is to transport you. They do provide washing facilities in ther stations and aboard the trains. Do airlines provide showers for travelers on long (intercontinental) trips? Should they? Tom
Coaches used to be called "day coaches". Sleeping cars are called sleeping cars. By implication, coaches are for those traveling short distances, or traveling on a budget. If you're traveling a long distance and need to shower on the way, maybe you should consider a sleeper instead. If you can't afford the sleeper, maybe Amtrak can't afford to give you a shower. After all, their main function is to transport you. They do provide washing facilities in ther stations and aboard the trains. Do airlines provide showers for travelers on long (intercontinental) trips? Should they?
I used to travel "coach" across Canada on the Canadian. A good shower in Montreal got me started, and then I'd rent a room at the Fort Garry in Winnipeg for a couple of hours as the train stopped there for several hours. Granted, Montreal to Winnipeg is a long strech, and I was quite ripe for a shower by the time I got to Winnipeg. From Winnipeg I was good to go once again until we reached Vancouver.
Agree!
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
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