2:45 p.m. Our 3:15 departure is already boarding, cool! You actually show your ticket to the conductor, who actually wears one of those funny flat hats, and actually says "All aboard!" As we walked out of the terminal, it was announced that there'd be about a dozen stops between here and Arizona, which would help explain its 31-hour length.
The Southwest Chief is a double-decker, about ten cars in length. We walked past a couple of coach class cars (think airplane-style seating) to the sleeper cars (think private booth). Our room ("roomette," technically) was on the upper deck. Unlike slightly more upscale sleeper cars, we have a single bathroom at the end of our hallway instead of one per room. No shower! But a pot of coffee, water and O.J. with ice is eternally stocked in the hall.
The roomette itself is about four feet wide, with a lockable door and privacy curtain. The two seats fold down toward each other to form a bed; a second bunk folds out from the wall above.
Should I be concerned that the upper bed includes a "safety net"?
But conveniences abound. Both seats and the upper bed have a reading light. There's a climate control, a fold-out table, a small closet and coat rack. Netting alongside the upper bed serves as a handy storage area. Bedsheets, blankets and pillow included. Most importantly, an outlet for DVD viewing pleasure!
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