Amtrak / Regs Question

[GolfHiker]

I plan on taking Amtrak into Georgia in a few weeks. I've never done Amtrak, thus don't quite know their "carry on" regs... of course I could research Amtrak or even call them, but I was hoping that a fellow WBer would know some specifics. I don't expect it's okay to carry a fuel canister, so I wont. I am however concerned about my hiking poles, even with the rubber tips & broken down to mostly fit in my backpack. I'd like to not have to ship them ahead, but will if necessary.

Anything else I should be aware of??? Thoughts from any Amtrak users

Thank you.

[GoldenBear]

Don't display the sharp points while on the train and you'll be fine.

TECHNICALLY they are prohibited
https://www.amtrak.com/prohibited-items
However, there are no inspections, of any kind, of any luggage when you board or ride Amtrak. If it's out of sight, it's no problem.

If you're really worried, you can place them in checked baggage, where even fencing swords and guns are permitted.

[brendathompson71]

Amtrak is very easy you can carry a lot and they don't do searches

[GolfHiker]

Thanks Golden Bear... excellent idea, and good to know about my fencing sword, which should come in handy on the AT.

[hubcap]

I had two hiking poles strapped to the outside of my pack when I rode from Washington DC to Gainesville, GA. No one said a thing. It was a very pleasant trip!

[dudeijuststarted]

My advice: Be cleaned up and do not look like a hiker. We are easily mistaken for homeless and seated accordingly. Not a pleasant experience.

[tiptoe]

I've taken Amtrak several times at the start and end of section hikes, and no one has ever asked me to open my backpack. I don't carry denatured alcohol with me, and I keep my little pocket knife in my little pocket. Occasionally I've been asked to show my ticket again after boarding the train, but that's about the worst of it.

[bigcranky]

We took Amtrak to VT for our Long Trail thru.

We each took our fully loaded pack, and I had a separate bag with full food bags. I broke down our hiking poles and wrapped the tips in cardboard, then placed them inside my pack, and I also put everything that would normally be carried in an outside pocket inside the pack (hence the food bags in a separate grocery-type bag, left at the hotel the morning we started).

There is plenty of room for bags on Amtrak. It was an enjoyable trip -- actually decent food and beer in the dining car, lots of room to stretch out.

[Odd Man Out]

I cut two pieces of Pex tubing (1 inch long) that fit over the tips of my poles to protect things in transit. As said before you can take anything on Amtrak. I also have a large green canvas army issue duffel bag I will throw my pack and poles in for travel. But that only works when you have a way of retrieving the bag after the hike.

[bigcranky]

As said before you can take anything on Amtrak.

Many years ago when I was in college I carried a rifle on Amtrak - a highly specialized Walther single shot .22 for three-position smallbore Olympic shooting competition. All I had to do was show the conductor that I had removed the bolt and had it in my bag. The rifle was in a case, of course.

Not sure that works these days, so kids, don't try this at home.

[The Kisco Kid]

No worries. I've taken Amtrak a dozen times to the trail from Virginia to New Hampshire carrying my poles and fuel canisters. Never been questioned. As another poster noted, they're not fond of super smelly hikers so clean up as best you can for the return trip!

Amtrak is an awesome ride

[Mouser999]

I rolled my fully loaded touring bike right on and the conductor never asked about what was in the panniers. You could see the tent and sleeping bag, so he knew I was camping and probably had a stove and fuel

[grizzlyadam]

Taken Amtrak to the trail in Maine, VT, WV, and GA- all from NC and never had an issue.

Heck, after my PCT section in 2011 I took the train from Barstow, CA to Williams, AZ with an ice ax strapped to the outside of my pack with no problems.

[bigcranky]

Heck, after my PCT section in 2011 I took the train from Barstow, CA to Williams, AZ with an ice ax strapped to the outside of my pack with no problems.

A lovely short story for you, sir.

http://www.outsideonline.com/1837056...curity-blanket

[Odd Man Out]

Many years ago when I was in college I carried a rifle on Amtrak - a highly specialized Walther single shot .22 for three-position smallbore Olympic shooting competition. All I had to do was show the conductor that I had removed the bolt and had it in my bag. The rifle was in a case, of course.

Not sure that works these days, so kids, don't try this at home.

When I was in college, I once stayed up all night in the club car talking to a group of elderly women who were on their way to Vegas to spend all their retirement money. They bought me drinks all night because I was a poor college student. They were a hoot.

[George]

I don't carry denatured alcohol with me, .

you can bring your own booze on amtrack so there is no reason that denatured would be an issue - white gas would be another story

[George]

-- actually decent food and beer in the dining car, lots of room to stretch out.

food is not bad, but it is pricey for what you get - I like to bring something on

one of my best moves was a giant calzone from the pizza place near ATC in harpers ferry, they put it in a full size pizza box - 1/2 hour into the trip I ease it open and start gnawing at one end - face lights up on someone walking by and he says: they have that in the dining car?

he got let down when I told him you have to bring it on

[GolfHiker]

Thanks all. I'm pleased to learn everything. My worries are gone. See you all on the trail.

[Turk6177]

I took AMTRAK this summer and never had anyone look into one of my bags. You can store it above you like a plane or put it at the end of a car. You should be fine carrying anything onboard.

[grizzlyadam]

Heck, after my PCT section in 2011 I took the train from Barstow, CA to Williams, AZ with an ice ax strapped to the outside of my pack with no problems.

A lovely short story for you, sir.

http://www.outsideonline.com/1837056...curity-blanket

Lovely indeed.

"This, I believe, makes the electroshock devices, the cans of pepper gas, and the ninja throwing stars in the pawnshop window look minor league."

That's kind of how I feel about my ice ax.