Reply to Amtrak roll on service

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Reply to Amtrak roll on service

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Bryan from Avon IN on 4/17/2016 8:56:20 PM:

I rode the C&O and Gap last year before Amtraks roll on service began the trails were great I am continuing where I left off in Pittsburgh and riding back home to Indianapolis. My question is how strict are they on carry on sizes when boarding train in a none check in bag city ie Waterloo IN my panniers are a few inches taller than carry on restictions and I will have my camping gear also. Anyone who has done this have any input or suggestions. Can water bottles etc stay on bike? Thanks

John W. from Pittsburgh, PA on 4/19/2016 8:12:55 PM:

Last time I was on Amtrak was before roll on-roll off but from what I've gathered reading here, just carry your bags to your seat as if it were carry-on luggage, you should be fine. Our bikes were boxed up but my panniers were carried on board like backpacks or handbags and we just took them to our seats and put them up above in the storage bins. I think you need to remove the bags off of your bike when putting your bike in the dock on the train because all of that extra weight might not keep it stable. Can anyone whose used Roll On Roll Off confirm?

Shawn Ambrose from Fort Wayne, IN on 4/22/2016 4:47:57 AM:

My son is in college in Utah and he took to train from Waterloo, IN to Salt Lake City. He had two suitcases, a backpack, and a guitar. Amtrak let him carry all of that on if that helps.

Bryan on 4/24/2016 7:18:53 PM:

Thanks everyone

Paul from Quincy, IL on 6/6/2016 9:18:20 PM:

"I think you need to remove the bags off of your bike when putting your bike in the dock on the train because all of that extra weight might not keep it stable. Can anyone whose used Roll On Roll Off confirm?"

That is Amtrak's recommendation. My wife used the service about 1 week after it started while I had a folding bike. We had a room in the transition sleeper, better known as the trans-dorm because that is where the on board personnel sleep and when the other sleepers are full, they open a few rooms to customers. The conductor had me put my folding bike in the crew lounge, so I got to talking with him quite a bit. He said I could have left my luggage with the bike. Not only that, but the door to the bike compartment was not locked, so I had access to it during the trip. But it's Amtrak, you never know.

As far as carry on luggage is concerned, the operational rule is if you can schlepp it on board without causing a commotion or delaying boarding, you are good to go.

Mike Caffrey from Pgh on 8/30/2016 5:13:47 PM:

I concur...no problems. Do what they tell you & from both Pgh & DC (I've done both) just be cool, take your bags from bike & you can leave them beside bike on floor...no need to schlep anywhere unless you want to.

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