How to Lock Your Amtrak Sleeping Car Door

In this episode of Travel with Kev, we explore the often-overlooked question of how you lock your Amtrak sleeping car door!

From practical tips to safety considerations, Kev shares expert advice to help you make the most of your journey. Whether you're a seasoned rail traveler or taking your first overnight trip, this episode will leave you feeling informed and confident. Tune in and get ready to travel smarter!

How to lock a Superliner and older Viewliner doors
How to lock the newer Viewliner doors
The full video

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Transcript

Podcast Transcript: How to  Lock Your Amtrak Sleeping Car Door?

[Intro Music]

Kev: Hey there! Are you currently on an Amtrak train and unsure how to lock your sleeping car door? If you are, you're in the right spot! (And yes, I'm a little jealous—wish I was on a train right now too.) If you're not on a train yet, that's fine; you can watch or listen anyway so that when your trip comes up, you'll already know how to lock your door. Let’s make sure you’re ahead of the game. Let’s dive in!

Types of Locks on Amtrak Sleeping Cars

Before we get into the nuts and bolts of locking your door, you need to know there are two types of locks you’ll encounter on Amtrak trains.

Lock Type 1: Superliner and Older Viewliner Cars

The first type is more common. You’ll find this lock on Superliner cars (the iconic two-story Amtrak trains) and older Viewliner cars (the single-level ones with blue floors and white interiors).

If you’re on one of these cars, here’s how to lock your door:

1. Make sure the door is shut tightly.
2. Pull the small lever down over the pin.
3. Flip the secondary lever to keep everything in place.

To unlock it, just reverse the process—flip the lever back and pop up the other one. Make sure the door is properly aligned; if it’s not closed tightly, the lock won’t engage.

Lock Type 2: Newer Viewliner II Cars

The second type of lock is found on the newer Viewliner II cars. These have a burgundy interior and wood grain accents. For these locks:

1. Ensure the door is completely shut.
2. Turn the knob—up is open, and horizontal is locked. If it doesn’t catch, the door isn’t fully closed.

Simple enough, right? I knew you could do it!

Leaving Your Room: Securing Your Valuables

Now, let’s talk about what to do if you need to leave your room. Unfortunately, you can only lock these doors from the inside, so if you step out, you’ll need to take precautions to keep your belongings safe.

For Quick Trips

If I’m just heading to the restroom or taking a quick walk:

• I tuck my valuables (like my iPad or computer) behind a pillow or under a blanket or coat.
• Close all the curtains in the room. This makes it harder for anyone to see inside.

For Longer Absences

If I’m heading to the dining car or lounge:

• I put my valuables in the closet, if my room has one, and throw a jacket over them.
• For rooms without closets, I slide my backpack or valuables under the seat.
• As always, I make sure all the curtains are securely closed. Use the Velcro edges to ensure they stay in place.

As my dad always says, “If it doesn’t look like you have anything, people will assume you don’t.” Thankfully, only passengers with sleeping car accommodations are allowed in these cars, so there’s less traffic overall.

Final Tips

If you’re traveling with something incredibly valuable, consider keeping it with you in the dining car or having your meals in your room. Dining cars can get crowded, so it’s best to travel light when heading there.

And that’s it! We’ve covered how to lock your sleeping car door and how to secure your belongings when you leave your room. Hopefully, you found this helpful and maybe even a little entertaining!

Wrap-Up

If you still have questions, feel free to reach out. Also, check out my blog, Travels with Kev, for more information about traveling on Amtrak. I cover everything from room types to storage tips, dining options, and more.

Sign up for my newsletter to get weekly updates about my travels, tips for your trips, and the latest rail news from the U.S. and Canada. And if you want to support my work, join me on Patreon for just $5 a month—you’ll even get a postcard from me!

Thanks for tuning in. This is Kev, signing off. Safe travels!

[Outro Music]