Moving on a real train
January 25, 2019 11:57 PM Subscribe
It looks like I'm moving across the country with several musical instruments. How strict is Amtrak regarding baggage size, if you're traveling in a sleeper instead of a coach seat?
I have a guitar, a keyboard, a (small) lap steel, a mountain dulcimer, and a hammered dulcimer. They're way too expensive to ship. Shipping containers are all way too big for my needs -- I don't have any furniture, and my instruments take up relatively little space. Renting a car would be very time-consuming and stressful.
I've priced things out, and taking the train would cost less than renting a car, even if I got a sleeper cabin. The train may therefore be my best option -- if they'll let me take all my instruments on board.
I've looked at their baggage restrictions, and anything over 75 linear inches is considered oversize. They say you can only bring oversize instruments on board with the purchase of another full fare ticket. Do you know if I would get around this by staying in the sleeper car?
Also, if you know of a service that would be cheaper than everything else I've considered, I'd love to hear about it.
Is there anything else I need to know about moving stuff by Amtrak? There would be a transfer in Chicago.
I have a guitar, a keyboard, a (small) lap steel, a mountain dulcimer, and a hammered dulcimer. They're way too expensive to ship. Shipping containers are all way too big for my needs -- I don't have any furniture, and my instruments take up relatively little space. Renting a car would be very time-consuming and stressful.
I've priced things out, and taking the train would cost less than renting a car, even if I got a sleeper cabin. The train may therefore be my best option -- if they'll let me take all my instruments on board.
I've looked at their baggage restrictions, and anything over 75 linear inches is considered oversize. They say you can only bring oversize instruments on board with the purchase of another full fare ticket. Do you know if I would get around this by staying in the sleeper car?
Also, if you know of a service that would be cheaper than everything else I've considered, I'd love to hear about it.
Is there anything else I need to know about moving stuff by Amtrak? There would be a transfer in Chicago.
I’m pretty sure this is a question for Amtrak customer service?
posted by bleep at 1:12 AM on January 26, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by bleep at 1:12 AM on January 26, 2019 [7 favorites]
Which sleeper size were you looking at? The roomettes are pretty little, technically they fit two but I've only been one person in them and that's pretty squishy with just hand luggage. One of the cabins I think would be fine.
posted by kitten magic at 2:38 AM on January 26, 2019
posted by kitten magic at 2:38 AM on January 26, 2019
As for which stations accept pallet shipping: I know that in 2010 the station in the city named in your profile did accept it. (A friend of mine was moving to there.)
I have also shipped a mountain dulcimer and don't recall it being horrifically expensive. But the other instruments are bigger - the mountain dulcimer probably isn't what's causing you to worry.
posted by madcaptenor at 6:32 AM on January 26, 2019
I have also shipped a mountain dulcimer and don't recall it being horrifically expensive. But the other instruments are bigger - the mountain dulcimer probably isn't what's causing you to worry.
posted by madcaptenor at 6:32 AM on January 26, 2019
Wikipedia says that Amtrak Express shipping service is available between "most stations that accept checked baggage". See timetables to figure out which those are.
posted by madcaptenor at 6:41 AM on January 26, 2019
posted by madcaptenor at 6:41 AM on January 26, 2019
As a fare paying passenger, you can check larger items in the baggage car.
I've checked bikes on the train baggage car, and in general, if you arrive early, and it is not a peak tourist season, the crew will work with you to make things fit.
https://www.amtrak.com/baggage-policy
posted by nickggully at 8:10 AM on January 26, 2019 [1 favorite]
I've checked bikes on the train baggage car, and in general, if you arrive early, and it is not a peak tourist season, the crew will work with you to make things fit.
https://www.amtrak.com/baggage-policy
posted by nickggully at 8:10 AM on January 26, 2019 [1 favorite]
Greyhound now allows 3 checked bags for a total of $40, each can weigh 50 pounds and a pretty big size allowance. Plus you get to essentially stay with your bag, so less risk of it getting lost.
posted by Sophont at 8:06 PM on January 26, 2019
posted by Sophont at 8:06 PM on January 26, 2019
Amtrak Express is great for shipping medium sized packages (I think they need to be less than 50lbs, and technically no furniture is allowed). The price when I last used it was:
$72 for first 100 lbs + 0.72 per pound after that
No more than 50lbs per box
No larger than 3’x3’x3’
Suitcases or cardboard ok, no plastic containers
posted by vegetableagony at 1:54 PM on January 30, 2019
$72 for first 100 lbs + 0.72 per pound after that
No more than 50lbs per box
No larger than 3’x3’x3’
Suitcases or cardboard ok, no plastic containers
posted by vegetableagony at 1:54 PM on January 30, 2019
This thread is closed to new comments.
Not sure if the price of this plus a plane ticket and driving the stuff to a participating station (the nearest station to the origin would have been New Haven, but it didn't accept pallet shipping) and picking it up on the other end -- I lucked out and co-opted a friend's rental car after a day hike (bless him).
posted by batter_my_heart at 12:09 AM on January 26, 2019 [1 favorite]