Hello all,

I'm nearly ready to book my first ever long-distance train trip. I'll be going from CHI-SEA in early Feb and booking a roomette. I decided to take the train since, as I'm re-locating semi-permanently back to Victoria, BC, I'll have a lot of stuff to take with me. I've read through the Amtrak website and this forum to get a very good impression of what the trip will be like, but I still have some other questions I hope to have answered before I book.

1. I understand that after booking I will need to pick up the tickets from an Amtrak office prior to departure. I should be able to do this at my nearest ticket office in Toronto (TWO), yes? Or will that not work for some reason because it's a Canadian station? I could drive down to Buffalo Depew but I'd rather not if it's avoidable.

2. When I arrive at the station on the day of departure, with my physical tickets, do I need to check in anywhere? Or do I just take my bags to the baggage check and then carry on until it's time to leave?

3. How easy is it to get bags to the baggage check in Chicago? I understand there is parking right at Union Station, so how far of a walk is it from there to baggage? I'll have 6 bags to check, do I have to get them there all at once or could I bring my luggage in two trips? I know there are Red Caps but I dunno if they'd be roaming the garage and as I'm tight on money I'd rather do it myself rather than having to tip x 6 bags.

4. How exactly does one claim luggage at the final destination. I read that they charge storage fees on bags not claimed within 2 days, so I gather it's not like an airport where the bags come out on a conveyor and need to be taken right away? The reason I ask is that I'll have to go get my Vancouver-bound rental car from the Seattle Hilton a couple miles away, then come back. From what I've seen on Google Street View, there's ample parking near the station and it looks a wee bit quieter than downtown Chicago.

5. Final question, how sound-proofed are the roomettes whilst the train is running at speed through the night? I'm not bothered by white noise, but I do know that I'm among the worst of snorers and worry I'd make enemies of my carmates. Worse still, I'd rather not get ejected from the train somewhere in rural Montana...

Sorry to bombard with questions, but that last train trip I've ever taken in my life was a VIA trip to Ottawa when I was 11. So, needless to say, I'm new at this. Thanks in advance for insights!