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It’s scheduled for 45 minutes, I believe. It is typically a maintenance, refueling, and crew change stop. The 2 hour stop on my trip might have had to do with fixing the earlier mechanical issues. Like I said it was in the middle of the night, so I’m not entirely sure what was going on (Arrived...

We also just took the SWC round trip from CHI-LAX shortly after the Mendon derailment. On 7/1 we departed almost 2 hrs late due to mechanical issues. The train had to stop twice in Illinois also for mechanical issues (presumably a recurrence of the one causing the delayed departure). We had to...

I have ridden the Pennsylvanian multiple times. There are two flag stops, Tyrone and Latrobe, on that route. In all the times I’ve ridden it, the Pennsylvanian has stopped at both every single trip. Perhaps there just were boardings or departures booked for those stations on all my trips; I...

I just completed a trip from Pittsburgh to LA this past week. For me arrival/departure times plus finances played a role in my planning. We rode the SWC from Chicago to LA — that planning was easy (one of the main reasons we did the trip was to do a western LD route). Pittsburgh-Chicago was a...

If your group is interested in a non- overnight trip, the Palmetto might also be an option. Being a single day train, there are no sleepers (and only cafe car food) available. There is only coach and business class. It would certainly be cheaper than sleeper accommodations on the SS though, if...

Unless they have changed the boarding procedures, with a 6 year old child you should be eligible for priority boarding, which means you shouldn’t have to wait in the long boarding line to get on the train. You and your son should be among the first passengers to board. If there are a lot of pax...

There may not prove to be any legal liability at all. An unfortunate feature of our civil legal system is that plaintiffs can pay legal fees based on a percentage of money recovered, but defendants cannot. Especially for large corporations (like BNSF), it is often both cheaper and better in...

Or have a small child or a disability. Passengers with disabilities or small children can also use the priority boarding line. I used to be able to do so, but my darn son grew up and now is 15; I don’t think we’d qualify anymore

No offense, but I hope I’m right. I’m scheduled to be on 4(8). I would be exploring plan B if I were you, but it is possible that they will get some extra equipment together by then. Nothing is set in stone yet.

Based on the cancellation dates I suspect the cancellations are directly related to the fact that there is one less train set available. Train 3 should be the same set as the 4 departing 3 days earlier. Train 4 should be the same set as 3 departing 2 days previously (based on arrival/departure...

All of what has already been discussed is part of it, but personally, I am a larger person. Cramming myself into airplane seats is not particularly comfortable for me. Trains are much roomier. Luggage is also a consideration on some trips. You can bring a lot more (and larger) luggage on a train...

I see the problem. When I looked at my Chi-Har via LSL I did a dummy booking for an arbitrary future date. I used a date in October and it shows NER 187 arriving in PHL at 10:32 pm. For earlier dates that train seems to be unavailable. The PHL-HAR connection is too tight though so you can’t get...

It would not be ideal, and I have no idea if it would even be available on your travel date, but the Lake Shore Limited leaves Chicago almost three hours later than the CL. If you miss the CL connection, you might make the LSL. You would have to take the LSL all the way to NYP then connect to...

A third very nice tourist excursion railroad in WV is the Potomac Eagle in Romney (in the far western panhandle, just south of Cumberland MD). The trip runs along the South Branch Potomac River through a narrow valley between two mountain known locally as The Notch. There are many bald eagle...

Well I guess I will find out. I am going to be on the SWC departing CHI on 7/1 and departing LAX on 7/8 for my return trip. From a purely selfish point of view I am hoping this move by BNSF improves the SWC’s OTP.

They will not allow you out on the platform until boarding begins, but if you want, you can wait upstairs inside the doors leading to the platform. BC will board first. Waiting upstairs will get you first crack at a seat selection. I haven’t seen anyone else mention this, and I am not sure if...

That makes sense too for pax who are not riding the train endpoint to endpoint. Intermediate stops are often very poorly served by once daily LD trains. Cleveland OH is a good example of this on your NYP-CHI route. Current trains only serve. Cleveland in the middle of the night. Having more...

I think OP was going westbound CHI-KCY, which would make the restroom situation equivalent on both trains since both originate in CHI. Obviously your other points about the SWC having better facilities and a more direct routing still apply to the westbound trip.

Pittsburgh is my home station so I can confirm; it is functional, but that is about the best I can say for it. It’s even more disappointing because it’s in the basement of the old Pennsylvania Station, which is a magnificent looking brick building with a beautiful rotunda. This building though...

It has probably been suggested before, but would it not be pretty simple from a logistical perspective to offer two classes of sleeper accommodation, one including meal service as is currently offered and one that does not? Presumably Amtrak would be able to offer the non-dining sleeper options...