Tips for commuting by train?

Im traveling from Illinois to Maine by train... any tips?

• Me and my bf are traving to maine this christmas to visit my mom. Here and dad have been divorced for just over a year now. he doesnt know im going (not the point). were going from chichago(705 pm) to washington, district of columbia(130 pm) then were stuck there for just over 8 hours. i need somethings in Washingtion that we could do for thoes 8 hours. we dont have money for a hotel but would like to maybe go out to dinner or something. any good places there? then from washington (10pm) were on the train again to Boston Back bay at 747 am then my next question. we need to take the subway or a cab to boston north station what would be better? and how much would a cab cost? the appromated time to get there would befrom 807 to 815 (thats what amtrack told me). then from boston north we leave at 910 am and arrive at portland at 1135 am. aside from thoes questions i want to know like some tips to traveling what to keep in mind when im packing and all that good stuff.. ive traveled before, but bye plane and bus with my mom. im super nervouse ive never like travled with out her. im scared of getting lost or missing our train but it seems like we have enought time.... oh and we have to sleep on the train too any tips for that? like a small pillow and blanket? what should i wear? jeans or sweats? any tips would be greatly appriciated thank you! oh and sorry for such a loaded question 4 minutes ago - 3 days left to answer. more information: people seam to think im dumb I allready have ticketts i know theres a train from chicago to boston. no way of getting it because we would have to spend the night and we cant do that so we are going into washington. i just want traveling tips. like what to bring, how to not get bord, lost ect. thank you for your help

• Answer:

  i'll try to help a little...trains are usually pretty warm so pack comfortable clothes, flannel pajama pants and a t-shirt for sleeping would be ok that way you can walk around the cabin if you have to and still be aprropriately dressed....i believe pillows and blankets are provided but you can always get a camping pillow for 10 bucks if you're unsure...to keep from getting bored: do you have an ipod?? if not get one!!! that saves me on long trips, bring a book, magzine, enjoy the scenery--the fall foliage is booming right now, other then that not much you can when you're stuck on a train--long trips suck!!! in boston, you might want to get a cab rather than the subway so you dont have to hassle with luggage and finding the right train....good luck, enjoy trip, and dont worry you'll be fine!!!