Originally Posted by mith
has there ever been a couchette equivalent on Amtrak? I could imagine that lot of travellers (esp. European backpackers, etc...->big part of passengers on overnight trains!) would love it, if there are economy non-private sleepers (couchettes) that were available for a "hostel night" supplement like $20-30 per night.
There is no real alternative between a seat which is not that much more comfortable than greyhound and the private Sleeper which is far from being affordable to many people. As a couchette car can accomodate as many people as a normal seating car, I believe it would also be a good deal for Amtrak to introduce such an offer.
As another poster pointed out, the regular Amtrak coach seats are actually pretty comfortable, very comparable to old style business class seats on airlines. Plenty of pitch, good recline & foot rest, though I always prefer a sleeper, I have never had much trouble overnighting in coach.