How to Lock Your Amtrak Sleeping Car Door

Are you on an Amtrak train and unsure how to lock your sleeping car door? Don’t worry—you’re in the right place! Stay with me, even if you’re at home and planning a future trip. Knowing this will prepare you to travel like a pro.

In this guide, I will explain how to lock your door and share some clever tips for safely leaving your room while onboard.

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Types of Locks on Amtrak Trains

For years, all Amtrak sleeping cars featured the same locks. However, with the introduction of the Viewliner II sleeper cars, there are now two types. Neither is difficult to use, but the older locks involve a few steps. Don’t worry—it isn’t hard.

Here’s how to identify the type of lock you’ll have:

1. Superliner Cars and Older Viewliner Cars
   • Superliner cars are renowned for their two-level design, featuring bedrooms, roomettes, and accessible accommodations on the upper level.
   • Older Viewliners are single-level cars with blue floors and white walls—at least, they were when this article was published.
2. Viewliner II Cars
   • These are the newer single-level cars with a burgundy and wood-grain interior.

If you are on a Viewliner train, you may not know what kind of car you will have until you board, so being familiar with both will keep you prepared. I’ll explain how to lock doors for both types and share tips on securing your room while you’re away.

Locking the Door in Superliner and Older Viewliner Cars

In these cars, locking your door is a three-step process:

1. Please close the door; I hope that’s understood
2. Pull the lever down over the pin to ensure the door is securely closed.
3. Flip the secondary lever over to lock everything in place.

To unlock, reverse the process: flip the lever up, then lift the first.

Locking the Doors of Viewliner II Cars

For newer Viewliner II cars:

1. Ensure you firmly shut the door.
2. Turn the knob. When it’s horizontal, the door is locked; when it’s vertical, it’s open.

If it didn’t lock, the door probably wasn’t fully closed. Adjust it and try again. If that happens to you, don’t worry; it’s happened to me a few times.

Can you lock an Amtrak room from the outside?

No, you can only lock the door from the inside. Before you leave the room, please consider the information in the next section.

What to Do When You Leave Your Room

Since sleeping car doors can only be locked from the inside, here are my tips for securing your belongings:

For Short Trips (e.g., Bathroom Breaks):

• Hide valuables: Place items such as your laptop or iPad behind a pillow or blanket or under your coat.
• Close the curtains: Use the inner curtains to obstruct the view into your room.

For Longer Absences (e.g., Dining Car):

• Stow valuables: Place your belongings in the closet (if available) or a backpack under your seat, then cover them with a jacket.
• Close everything: Shut all curtains and use the Velcro strip on the door curtain for extra security.
• If you are in a Viewliner, storage is located above the door to keep items out of sight.

There have been times when there weren’t many people in my sleeping car, and in those cases, I didn’t worry. But trust your instincts and do what you believe is right.

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Additional Thoughts on Security

I try to believe people are honest, but sometimes I question that. Here are a few ideas that might help ease your mind.

• Only passengers with sleeping car accommodations can access these cozy cars, which helps maintain a calm and quiet atmosphere. Car attendants ensure everything runs smoothly and monitor who is in the sleeping cars and who should not be there.
• If you’re worried about your most valuable items, you can enjoy your meals in your room to keep everything close by.

Final Thoughts

Once you know how to do it, securing your belongings and locking your door on Amtrak is a straightforward process. Whether you enjoy a signature Amtrak steak in the dining car (if available, ask for the butter cake warmed with whipped cream for a real treat!) or step out for a moment, these tips will help you feel at ease.

Thanks for reading, and happy planning and safe travels!
—Kev