Takin the train
 

Hi everyone!

Gonna take the train next week and was wonderin if anyone has taken the train with their electric wheelchair?

The people at amtrak have been real helpful, and tell me everything will be fine, but I still wonder if that is totally the truth. They did give me a great fare price round trip.

The wife and I are gonna go to Oregon and visit all the relatives for a couple weeks. Travel around and take in as much of the sights as possible before riding the train back home. Im kinda nervous about the whole thing since I havent gone anywhere in several years.

I am lookin forward to getting out of the house though LOL.

TOOT TOOT!

Several times, easy peasy! They'll have a certain boarding platform for you, they put a bridge down and in you go! You'll be in a car where there is enough room for you to move comfortably, and, the service is even better in there!!!

How exciting for you, Allen! Have a fabulous trip and make sure you post pics for us! :)

OOH TOOT TOOT right back at ya.

You MUST tell us of all your adventures in Oregon.

Where in Oregon are you going??

Melody

I've travelled on Amtrak with my manual w.chair, and it should be no different with a power chair, as AfterMyNap/Cindy stated.

Ideally, there will be a working lift, as she also mentioned, but... it's not something I would count on. The lifts were not functioning when I travelled from Sacramento to Bakersfield (a couple or so years ago) and the porter asked me to help lift my wheelchair. Ehhh, what a twit-wit; if I could lift the darn'd thing I probably wouldn't be needing it in the first place. (He was definitely moron maximus.)

The menu food can be quite price-y; I took my own (from a deli) packed in ice. There is generally a charge for in-seat delivery of food, but... being disabled, no charge should be affixed.

I took my laptop and DVD movies; there are hook-ups in the car(s).

If you have any probs., don't hesitate to call on a car attendant. I found them to be quite friendly and helpful.

Will you be in a sleeper?

Amtrak also discounts those for disabled and automatically bumps the size of the room (no x-tra cost added); it is, however, first come, first serve basis (with reservations).

I also found it easier to take my non-carry-on luggage to the station for check-in a day early so that I didn't have to mess with it; it arrived at my destination and was awaiting my arrival :D.

P.S.: I don't know the travel route you're taking, and I'm not asking you to post that info., but, if there is a bus-transfer point, make sure that all modes of transportation involved know well in-advance that you will be travelling with your power chair and might need assistance.

Something else just came to mind:

Since your chair is an electric, I imagine, it's powered by some type of battery.

You might want to check with Amtrak re: of travelling w/battery or batteries re: any probs. in your trek.

I know that with scooters and other power chairs, airlines have certain guidelines or travel requirements depending on the type of battery used to power DME.


May as well add this here: http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten...2Copy&ssid=188

It's a direct link that delineates Amtrak's acceptable wheelchair specs.

When I travelled, Amtrak also provided me with an x-tra seat at no additional cost; it was for when I wanted to collapse my chair; it remained beside me - in front of the x-tra seat.

On part of the trek, I sat in my chair; the "disabled" car was filled to capacity, and an elderly woman and her travel companion would not have had a seat so I gave up mine.

I also made sure to take proof of disablity with me, in case it was sought and for any security stuff; I wasn't taking any chances :winky:.

Thank you everyone!!

This is encouraging! Im sooo lookin forward to this. Plus!!! Something wonderful happened!!! The SSDI backpay finally landed in the bank!!!!!! So now we wont be travelin on a beggars budget LOL.

Then something aweful happened!! They put me in a jury UGH!!!!

I tried everything just short of a doctors note to get out of it, but they not only called me in, they selected me for a Jury!! The judge says the trial should be over by wednesday....one day before we leave.

We are riding the San Joaquin through Sac. On the way back there is a bus ride from Sac to Stockton, but they say it will be fine to have the power chair. I certainly hope that part doesnt get messed up, and I will be warning everyone.

Cant wait!!

Toot Toot !!

Are you up for the jury duty? As in able to be in one place for a long time?
I'd use the Drs note- just being still in a jury chair would be too much for me.
I have to move around to stay comfortable.. I'd be fidgeting all over the place ..

Ooooh! I remember riding the Zephyr from my home town of Stockton (guess it coulda been Sac) to Salt Lake City, UT. I think I was about 5 years old and it was so much fun!

Toot toot! Have a great time! :)

Hope your Jury duty is over in time!

Hopoe it all goes well, dear friend. Moose did 7 years for Uncle Sam (the first 6 in Europe) and trains where the way to get around.

Romantic, fun, and just like everything else; It's what you make it.
Keep your camera close at hand to shoot the scenery on and off the train.

Have fun with it, partner. I hope all goes well.

Woot the judge let me out of jury duty today!!!! It was a drunk driving case, and because my sister is in MADD they dismissed me. I wanted to tell them I belong to D.A.M.M., drunks against mad mothers, but felt the judge wasnt in a joking mood LOL.

Cant wait to get goin on that train. I will have my camera on the ready, and will come back and let everyone know how it went travelin with a power chair. Was thinkin about keeping a journal and blogging the trip for others that might want to make an informed decision about traveling with a handicap.

I love the trains in europe! Lots of times you can sleep from one destination to another LOL. Thank you bro, and your right we can be our own travel nightmare if we wanted to be LOL.

Toot Toot!!!

Have fun, Allen. And, keep your camera at-hand. Before you know it, things will zoom by :eek:.

One thing you might anticipate, if others board with their own food, you might be exposed to some rather irritating scents. Don't know about you, yet I do get a headache from exactly that, and I wasn't prepared. I should have carried some Aspirin. (I did have water, etc., though.)

If you take meds., be sure those are in a carry-on, along with any valuables.

And, tag your luggage and carry-ons outside and inside :winky:.

It'll be cool to find out how your train venture turns out.

allan, you were my inspiration for father's day.

i got us tickets to take the local Tarrantula train. it's an old vintage train that goes from grapevine texas into downtown ft worth. here are some pictures:

http://www.grapevinesteamrailroad.com/photos.asp

Awesome, Curious! Hope you have a blast :D. It looks like a lot of fun.

thanks bobbi.

i have never been on it. lil'monkey has gone with friends and school trips. grandmonkey get so excited when he see's it go past on weekends.

it's a surprise, so i hope she doesn't log in and read this.

WOW!! That looks like some real fun!!

I love old trains! I hope it is everything your dreamin about and more, just watch out for those bad guys :p

Toot Toot!!!

Allen and Bobbi?
 

I'm not 'chair bound yet, but I AM definitely walking impaired?
I've been thinking of taking a plane trip or going by train, and I look forward eagerly and seriously to all your comments, experiences and gripes, if any!

As for getting out of jury duty? They tried to do that to me, and the courthouse was a construction site! I told them that I'd be MORE than glad to do it if they could meet me at the parking lot each AM and get me back...the capper parking is about 500 feet from the door? I got the doc's note and tho I felt I was back in kindergarten, I was taken off from the 'lists'. Now that I have the 'time', I just don't have the 'ability' to go and 'do'!

Happy and safe travels! Have a blast! Also? Have super weather to boot! - j

Whether travelling by train or by air, visit the respective companies' websites and do a search for "accessibility," "disabled" and similar key terms. It should lead you to info. about travel assistance, specs., requirements.

If by air, and you can't get a non-stop flight, make sure the airline knows well in advance that you'll be needing assistance through the terminal, etc. They've li'l transport vehicles and also transport chairs.

I've not been on a plane since I became disabled. I did travel physically impaired (?), though. I was miserable in coach seating. After every flight, I was holed up in a hotel room for a few days, wasting precious money and time, with a bloody nose, etc., and unable to walk. Flying isn't my preference.

I've been permanently excused from Jury duty (by the Jury Commissioner); it's not disability-related. I don't feel comfy posting the "how-come" though since anyone in the world may read and I don't need any probs. :wink:.