Originally Posted by
daviator
Is it practical to go down and get stuff out of the larger bag a couple of times during the trip? Or will it likely be so crammed in or covered by other bags that this isn't workable? Or would there be room to store the big bag in the roomette, given that there is only one of me? I'm unclear on how cramped it will be but I'm thinking there probably isn't room for a suitcase.
Some people do access the larger bag in the downstairs storage area during the trip. I would find that onerous.
There is one toilet upstairs in a Superliner (the type of car used on the
California Zephyr and three downstairs. If the upstairs facility is occupied, another passenger (or a downstairs passenger) might want to use a downstairs toilet. Depending on the peoples' sizes and the working space for the luggage, this could be a minor issue or not. A possibly worst case scenario is when you are in your luggage, there is not enough room for the bag to rest on the storage shelf (so it is balanced against you), and a plus-size person needs to get by in a hurry. This is an unlikely but definitely possible situation.
I take a 30 inch Load Warrior (semi-soft-sided rolling bag from Eagle Creek) on the train and put it under the seat without difficulty. There is some variation in the seating configuration, and sometimes it sticks out a few inches. I find this preferable to storing it downstairs. The critical dimension is likely to be the vertical clearance required. The Load Warrior is almost 12 inches at one end (near the center of the room) and about eight or nine inches away from the tall end after I remove stuff that I keep in the room.
Alternatively, there is a shelf in
some Superliner roomettes where I can stand the Load Warrior up. (There is a retaining strap to help hold it in place. Amtrak believes the retaining strap is to hold articles of clothing hanging in this area.) I prefer to put the Load Warrior on the floor because I find things shift less in that configuration.
Originally Posted by
daviator
Maybe it's better to bring a small third bag (shoulder bag or something) for change of clothes and toiletries kit and avoid any need to get into the large bag?
This might be the best solution for a first-time ride. In your place, I would do this and try to store the main bag under the seat, so I'd have some experience for next time. Keep in mind that the vertical clearance under the seat can vary by an inch or two, and sometimes there is something rigid attached to the floor under one of the seats.
Enjoy your trip. Some people consider the route from Sacramento to Denver to have the best scenery on Amtrak. I'd suggest you download a
route guide before you go.