A traveler recounts two overnight Amtrak journeys, four years apart, highlighting how modern upgrades significantly improved the comfort and relaxation of the second trip. In 2021, the author boarded a Viewliner train for a 30-hour journey from New York City to Miami. Four years later, in 2025, they experienced a newly upgraded Superliner train on a shorter 15-hour trip from Denver to Salt Lake City. Both trips offered similar private cabins called roomettes, but the enhancements made the latter journey notably more comfortable. The key differences included updated seating, better sleeping arrangements, and overall modern amenities that transformed the travel experience.
In October 2021, Joey Hadden embarked on an adventurous 30-hour overnight journey aboard an Amtrak Viewliner train, traveling from New York City to Miami. This initial trip provided a glimpse into the world of sleeper trains, with the traveler spending the night in a compact roomette. Despite the excitement, the experience was somewhat challenging, particularly due to the stiff mattress and the uncomfortable upper bunk that shook throughout the night. However, this did not deter Hadden from exploring further.
After sampling various sleeper trains in Europe over the next three years, Hadden returned to Amtrak in January 2025 for another long-haul journey. This time, the destination was Salt Lake City from Denver, a comparatively shorter 15-hour ride. The train was a Superliner, part of Amtrak’s fleet designed for routes west of Chicago and New Orleans. Unlike the single-story Viewliner, the Superliner featured two stories, offering passengers additional communal spaces for sightseeing.
The most striking difference between the two roomettes lay in the modern upgrades introduced in the Superliner. Upon entering the cabin, Hadden immediately noticed the pristine condition of the seats, which felt almost untouched. According to Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari, the old blue cloth seats had been replaced with soft vinyl, providing better lumbar support and a more luxurious feel. These new seat cushions also doubled as beds, making the lower bunk far more comfortable than the upper bunk on the Viewliner.
While the Viewliner roomettes included a sink and sometimes a toilet, eliminating the need to use shared facilities, the Superliner roomettes lacked plumbing. Instead, guests had to use the communal bathrooms. However, the superior comfort of the seats and the smoother ride compensated for this inconvenience. The reclined seat cushions offered a softer, more cushioned surface, enhancing sleep quality and overall comfort.
Hadden's experience on the upgraded Superliner left them excited about the future of overnight Amtrak travel. The improvements in seating, bedding, and general amenities have set a new standard for passenger comfort. As Amtrak continues to refresh its fleet, including the Viewliners scheduled for updates in 2026, travelers can look forward to even more enjoyable and relaxing journeys across the country.