Originally Posted by
jiejie
It's physically impossible for large luggage (say 24"+) to fit in the overhead racks on most trains. And you're not going to be able to keep it in the aisles, unless you are at one of the ends where there is one less seat therefore some additional floor space. On day trains, I've put my oversized in the open luggage closets/racks at the car ends, and never had a problem with theft. But then, I'm not packing valuables in that luggage. On sleeper cars especially in soft sleeper, you have more leeway to park that luggage on the floor space in your own compartment.
Our duffels are longer than 24". Can we turn them sideways and put on the overhead racks if there is space? Maybe when I send someone from the hotels to buy our tickets for us I'll have them request the seats in the end row so there is room on the floor for them. Or we'll put the bags on the floor under our legs and use it for a footrest.
It's not so much that our valuables will be in the duffels, they won't, they'll be in the small carryon. It's just that everything we have with us on the trip will be in the duffels. If the whole bag was to be stolen we'd be SOL. When I've taken a train in any country I never let my luggage out of my sight. And that would include the US if I was to ever take Amtrak.