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Reply to Amtrak Train
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Jenn on 9/16/2013 10:56:37 AM:
So I have read the official website as well as talked to Amtrak customer service, but I wanted to get advice from those who have rode the train. We are riding from Kirkwood to Jefferson City. We have a ride to the Kirkwood station so we know about that. Any tips and suggetions that we should know prior to riding?

 
kaka caliente from bloomington on 9/16/2013 3:28:31 PM:
You do know that when you make your reservation, you have to make one for your bike too, right? They only allow 4 bikes per train, so you want to reserve your spot. Jeff City just added a pedestrian walkway to their bridge , so you can now cross it on a bike. Just did it 2 days ago. There are markings on the pavement after you navigate off the bridge to get you to the katy. The markings aren't too obvious, but they are there....mostly yellow paint with an arrow or the word katy. When you come off the bridge, there is a lovely park right next to the river with a good sand bar. THe trail is a mile or two from that.

 
Jenn on 9/16/2013 5:55:42 PM:
That is awesome about the bridge from Jefferson City as I was worried about that bridge. I made the reservation already and reserved for our bikes! Do you know how the bike it stored on the train? Is it like a bike rack or is it hanging? Do we have to take the panniers off?

 
Joe from Wildwood on 9/16/2013 9:49:23 PM:
I left my panniers on they have you put the bike in a open area at the end of the car and lean it against the side. You might want to use and bungee cord to keep your brake applied to keep it from moving.

 
Anonymous on 9/17/2013 5:15:00 PM:
My experience is the same as Joe's. Just roll it on. I did find a bungie chord helpful.

 
Darrell from Jefferson City, Mo. on 9/18/2013 4:27:40 AM:
I've never seen panniers left on a bike on the train, nor have I left them on. The bike has to be carried up the steps and onto the train, make a turn and then put into place. My panniers would be to heavy and cumbersome to do that easily or as fast as needed.

My experience has been this, you go on the train last, the fellows working on the train grab your bike before or after you go up the steps and put it in place, I go back and get the panniers and handlebar bag and the train is rolling before I get the bags in the overhead storage area and get seated. Has been about the same routine each of the several time I have used the train. Things change and it has been a couple of years since I used the train, but basically that is how it worked.