roomettes

A roomette is a small private sleeping compartment on passenger rail cars, primarily in North America. Roomettes were part of sleeping cars that also included larger private bedrooms and open sections, and they were designed to provide single-occupant privacy at a lower cost than a full bedroom. The concept gained prominence in the early to mid-20th century as rail travel shifted from long open lines to more private accommodations.

A roomette typically runs along a central corridor and is entered through a door from the aisle. Inside, a seating area by day converts into a single bed by night. The space is usually equipped with a small washbasin, a compact closet or storage area, and shelves. Privacy is provided by a door or curtain. Because space is limited, the roomette generally does not include a private bathroom.

Toilets and showers are commonly shared with other occupants of the car, located in end-of-car facilities or a separate service area, rather than inside the roomette. This arrangement distinguishes roomettes from larger, self-contained bedrooms that have private facilities.

Historically, roomettes offered a compact, affordable option for solo travelers and were a staple of many American and Canadian sleeper trains. Over time, newer sleeper configurations with larger private spaces and more extensive onboard amenities diminished their prominence. Today, the term remains in use in some modern sleeper configurations, where a roomette denotes a compact, single-occupancy sleeping compartment with a bed, seating, and a washbasin, plus shared bathroom facilities in the car.