If you are not in a Sleeping Car, don't bring alcoholic beverages. You will not be allowed to consume them anywhere on the train. You can purchase wine, beer and mixed drinks in the Cafe/Lounge Car and Dining Car. If you are in a Sleeping Car, you may bring your own alcoholic beverages and consume them in your private room, or you can purchase drinks from the Cafe/Lounge Car and bring it to your private room. You must be at least 21 years old with proof of age to purchase alcoholic beverages on the train. Sleeping Car passengers get free meals in the Dining Car, but drinks are extra. Wine is usually $3 per glass.
If you bring food onto the train, you can only consume it in your private room or at your seat in coach. You cannot bring it into any public area, especially into the Cafe/Lounge Car or the Dining Car. That is a federal health safety law.
If you bring anything onto the train that makes sound (radios, scanners, tv, tape players, video games, etc.), have earphones for it. Even if you are in a private room, these devices can often be heard through the walls if the volume is not turned very low.
You should pack two bags per person. My preference is one of those bags with wheels and collapsable handle that is popular for air travel. The other bag should be a shoulder carry bag. Try your best to fit everything you need on the train into the shoulder carry bag. Put the things that you won't need on the train in your larger suitcase. If you are in a Sleeping Car, don't check your bags if you can avoid it. You won't be able to get to your checked bags during your travel. There is plenty of room in a luggage rack by the door for your bags in the Sleeping Car and you can get to them whenever you want. You might have enough room in your private room for your shoulder bag, but bringing your suitcase to your room could be a bit tight depending how many are in your party. That is why I like to put all the things I need for the train into the shoulder bag.
