Any Ideas on taking a shower for long distance train travel in coach?

[NorthWest]

I haven’t, either. I don’t even want to know the price for a ticket.

[calzeph]

My first choice is the YMCA and my Y membership is good at any other Y for a small fee. I travel to and from small citys like Toledo, Flint MI, Erie PA and Dubuque IA. Big Citys are Philly and Boston. Now I noticed a number of Ys have left downtowns for the burbs. In NY City the Y was a nightmare but that was 15 years ago. The Mayflower had day rates for 50-60 bucks. I have noticed that perhaps LA Fitness now has some downtown locations. Seems Amtrak has left this out of the equasion and should have pay showers at their Metropoliton Lounges. Come on 4-5 days without a shower may have worked when i was a young hippy but now I am getting that old people smell

Pay showers at certain stations might be a good revenue source for Amtrak.

[cnwdon]

Trackrat888: Another “bathing wipes” option is two brands sold at REI stores and I would guess online at REI site as well. Come about 8 to a pack for +/- $8./pack.

Two or three does a remarkably god job in place of a shower, for me. Have used for days on end dry-camped in our RV, or on some train trips on Amtrak. No body odor! Also, recommend (not cheap) Icebreakers New Zealand wool travel garments: T shirts, polo shirts, socks. Trousers aren’t so practical though, not like usual pants for pockets, crispness of appearance. These clothes take days or weeks to absorb enough odor to need washing, so you can pack fewer shirts and socks and still stay sweet smelling (with your bathing wipes, of course!)

www.icebreaker.com/

www.rei.com

[riptracker]

I remember doing the same thing at Winnipeg back in 1982. I believe it was a 2 hr layover for servicing and re-stocking the train.

[Tiesenhausen]

The original question was in reference to coach travel. I have a feeling First Class on Emirates is something entirely different, although how would I know? I’ve never even considered doing it.

Tom

The original question was in reference to coach travel. I have a feeling First Class on Emirates is something entirely different, although how would I know? I’ve never even considered doing it.

Tom

I have, long ago. You’d notice a difference.

[ACY_Tom]

Probably a big difference in the size of my bank account, too.

Tom[:'(]

[NKP_guy]

If I were a coach passenger and desperate for a shower I’d use this approach: I’d stroll into the sleeper and seek out the attendant. I’d smile and be humble as I explained my plight, and as I did so I’d wordlessly hand him a folded $20 bill. I’d bet he’d make sure I had fresh towels before he walked away from me. On the odd chance that wouldn’t work I’d simply go into the next sleeper and look for that car’s attendant.

I have never in my life had someone who’d take my proffered tip without fulfilling my request. You’d be surprised and delighted at what wonderful benefits this practice can effect from hotel check-in clerks and *maitre d’*s. Why not car attendants?

[ACY_Tom]

It’s contrary to Amtrak policy, but you might get away with it.

[GREG_WEBER]

The diner separates coaches from sleepers. The dining car staff will prevent you from entering the sleepers, if any are present.

[Deggesty]

The diner separates coaches from sleepers. The dining car staff will prevent you from entering the sleepers, if any are present.

Only if you are recognized as being a coach passenger. Since the lounge car is usually in front of the diner, both coach and sleeper passengers will enter from the front. I will say that not everyone is as distinctive in appearance as I am when traveling by train. There is a sign at each end of each sleeper indicating that only sleeping car passengers are to enter the car–not that a sign makes any difference to some people.

[ecoli]

I wonder if pay, timed showers might work in coaches. Amtrak should do it if it could break even on the investment. Something along the lines of what’s often installed in campgrounds. A couple bucks a minute, navy style.

If Amtrak had an entrepreneurial culture, they’d embrace this as an opportunity not just to break even but to make a few extra bucks (either by charging more than the cost, or by attracting additional customers from the population of those who currently opt not to travel by Amtrak because of the discomfort of going unbathed.)

[daveklepper]

At one time Chicago Union Station had such an amenity. Before my first day at EMD LaGrange, around 15 June 1952, arriving on the Trail Blazer overnigiht PRR coach from New York, I used it and changed clothes before boarding a GP-7 hauled two-car bilevel “Q” to La Grange.

[Buslist]

At one time Chicago Union Station had such an amenity. Before my first day at EMD LaGrange, around 15 June 1952, arriving on the Trail Blazer overnigiht PRR coach from New York, I used it and changed clothes before boarding a GP-7 hauled two-car bilevel “Q” to La Grange.

Wished you’d taken a picture, never seen a Q scoot with a Geep!

[ACY_Tom]

If you consider the possible lost revenue from losing a couple seats, plus the cost of providing towels, soap, etc., plus the need to clean, plus the amount of extra water that would have to be carried, plus the need to heat that water, I have a hard time thinking this could be profitable. YMMV.

Tom

[daveklepper]

I agree. But it might be profitable in major interchange stations, Pennsylvania Sta. NY, Chicago Union, Washington Union, New Orleans, Los Angeles Union, as part of the 1st-Class- lounge, with coach passengers paying a fee.

[daveklepper]

At the time, scoots used Pacifics as well as E-units and GP-7’s were often on off-peak trains. Steam-heat was still usual, the single-level green and brown rebuilt air-conditions coaches that formerly were long-distance were sitll in use, and power cars provided head-end power. I do not recall whether the two-car GP-7 hauled scoot I rode also had a power car. It must have had one, but I don’t remember it.

When I returned to live in the area in 1967, lots had changed. All trains were bilevel, the locomotives provided head-end power, and all trains were push-pull, with an E-unit on Aurora end and a cab-car on the city end. But it was still the Q., one could still ride a Denver Zephyr and a California Zephyr, etc.

daveklepper

At one time Chicago Union Station had such an amenity. Before my first day at EMD LaGrange, around 15 June 1952, arriving on the Trail Blazer overnigiht PRR coach from New York, I used it and changed clothes before boarding a GP-7 hauled two-car bilevel “Q” to La Grange.

Wished you’d taken a picture, never seen a Q scoot with a Geep!

[curioustrav]

hi, does everybody traveling overnight have access to the met lounge? thank you.

[Deggesty]

hi, does everybody traveling overnight have access to the met lounge? thank you.

If you have just a coach ticket, you have no access to a station lounge.

[CMStPnP]

hi, does everybody traveling overnight have access to the met lounge? thank you.

In Chicago they have a deal where you can pay $20 and they will give you access to the Legacy Club which is somewhat similar to the Metropolitian Lounge but not the same.

Additionally there is a Gym at Union Station in Chicago that has showers, lockers and a dressing room. You can call about buying a day pass that would give you access to the Gym and the showers. Here is a link:

http://ffc.com/unionstation/

[runnerdude48]

The new Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago has a shower room. Coach passengers are not admitted to the lounge but maybe if you go to the Legacy Club and pay your $20 they might issue you a pass to use the Metropolitan Lounge shower room. It wouldn’t hurt to ask and it is alot better than trying to shower on the train.

I’ve used the Fort Gary Hotel routine many times in the 1970s to clean up before train showers. Now a day the hotels are so expensive that a couple of hours will cost you over $100 bucks easy. Too much for a shower.