A few more questions from a first time train rider

[fisk]

Hello everyone. My wife and I are taking a short, but hopefully romantic, trip to Chicago this weekend. We're leaving from Indianapolis and taking the Hoosier State to the north. This is our first time traveling by train and we're both incredibly excited about the trip. I've done a lot of reading on this forum the last few days, but I still have a few questions. I see that the Hoosier State does not have a lounge or even food service of any kind. I'm assuming this is because the train only runs one route and it's only five hours long. Anyway, here are my questions:

1. No checked baggage means we have to handle our own luggage, correct? We're only bringing one small suit case and a small carry on bag. Where do we put the suit case, and will we have access to it during the trip like an overhead compartment? Or is stored under the train like on some buses.
2. What kind of security is there to go thru? I only ask because I'd like to know if I should plan a long back up at the security gate like when you fly. We're leaving at 6am and I really don't want to get there any earlier than I have to. If we can walk in the terminal, get our boarding pass from the machine and walk on board, that would be great. If we have to wait in line an hour at security, we'll have to leave earlier.
3. From what I've already read on this forum, there is no food or drink service on the train. That's kind of disappointing since we were looking forward to sitting in the lounge and watching out the windows. Oh well. I'm assuming we can bring snacks and drinks on the train?
4. Do the seats lean back? Comfortable? Wider than coach seats on a plane?
5. How fast is the train? I know this is not HSR, but I'm just wondering. I guess I can check it with GPS on my phone once we get going.....
6. on the trip home, the train doesn't get back to Indy until midnight Sunday night. Since we have work the next morning, that's too late for us. I chose the bus option instead. Does the bus leave from the same location in Chicago that the train does?

I think that's about it for now. I really appreciate anyone taking the time to answer even a few of the questions. We are really looking forward to this trip....

fisk

 

[sitzplatz17]

Although I haven't been in the Indianapolis station I hope I can at least answer some of your questions.

1. Yes you'll have to take care of your own baggage, but when you board a conductor will usually help you at least get the bags from the Platform up the steps on to the train. That said, you're going for a weekend so I imagine you can't have too much baggage!

2.One of the best parts of train travel! Little to no security. You definitely do not need to budget a whole extra hour for any security there might be. Most likely there won't be any. As long as you're there between 45-30 minutes before the train leaves you'll have more than enough time to print your tickets and hop on the train.

3. I can't answer much about food service, but you are definitely welcome to bring any food and snacks on board. Just avoid anything overly smelly as a courtesy to your fellow passengers

4. Definitely better than the coach seats on a plane! Exactly what kind of seats will have to be answered by someone more knowledgeable about the route.

5. The fastest the train can possibly go is 79mph, but it's likely to chug along around 50mph for most of the trip

6. Whats a bus?

 

[PRR 60]

Hello everyone. My wife and I are taking a short, but hopefully romantic, trip to Chicago this weekend. We're leaving from Indianapolis and taking the Hoosier State to the north. This is our first time traveling by train and we're both incredibly excited about the trip. I've done a lot of reading on this forum the last few days, but I still have a few questions. I see that the Hoosier State does not have a lounge or even food service of any kind. I'm assuming this is because the train only runs one route and it's only five hours long. Anyway, here are my questions:

1. No checked baggage means we have to handle our own luggage, correct? We're only bringing one small suit case and a small carry on bag. Where do we put the suit case, and will we have access to it during the trip like an overhead compartment? Or is stored under the train like on some buses.
2. What kind of security is there to go thru? I only ask because I'd like to know if I should plan a long back up at the security gate like when you fly. We're leaving at 6am and I really don't want to get there any earlier than I have to. If we can walk in the terminal, get our boarding pass from the machine and walk on board, that would be great. If we have to wait in line an hour at security, we'll have to leave earlier.
3. From what I've already read on this forum, there is no food or drink service on the train. That's kind of disappointing since we were looking forward to sitting in the lounge and watching out the windows. Oh well. I'm assuming we can bring snacks and drinks on the train?
4. Do the seats lean back? Comfortable? Wider than coach seats on a plane?
5. How fast is the train? I know this is not HSR, but I'm just wondering. I guess I can check it with GPS on my phone once we get going.....
6. on the trip home, the train doesn't get back to Indy until midnight Sunday night. Since we have work the next morning, that's too late for us. I chose the bus option instead. Does the bus leave from the same location in Chicago that the train does?

I think that's about it for now. I really appreciate anyone taking the time to answer even a few of the questions. We are really looking forward to this trip....

fisk

1. Yes, you handle your own luggage. There is an open luggage rack located above your seat that is more than adequate for a suitcase and a carry-on.

2. Basically, no security. Amtrak recommends being at the station 30 minutes ahead of time, but in reality you can just show up and board. If you have to have a ticket printed, you should leave some time for that. Even though there are kiosks that can print your ticket, you have to consider the possibility that they will not be available and you have to queue up for an agent. If you already have your tickets, then the station and boarding process will be a breeze.

EDIT: If you do not have your ticket (and the e-mail confirmation is not a ticket), and your train leaves at 6:00am (OUCH!), I would recommend getting your ticket in advance if possible. If you can find your way to the Indianapolis Amtrak station a day or two before your trip, you could get your ticket then and save the hassle on your day of travel. The IND ticket office is open from 11:00pm each day, through the night until 2:15pm Mon, Tue, Wed; Noon Thu; 11:30am Fri; 8:00am Sat, and 6:30am Sun.

3. Given the no food service, I assume you are leaving Indianapolis on a Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday. Those are the days the train only operates IND-CHI, and the train numbers is 850. You can bring any food or beverages you would like on-board for your trip (except the alcoholic variety). The good news is that this train is more likely to be on-time than the train that runs Monday, Thursday and Saturday. That train originates in New York and can be running late by the time it gets to Indianapolis.

4. The seats recline pretty generously, and are much wider and spaced much further apart than coach seating on aircraft. Each seat also has a tray table for snacks or food.

5. The fastest the train will go is 79mph. That is the maximum speed allowed by federal regulation unless special signaling is installed. However, in many areas the train will go much slower than that, particularly as you approach Chicago. The average speed of train 850 is about 40mph, including stopping time.

6. Yes, the bus leaves from Chicago Union Station, and arrives at the Amtrak station in Indianapolis.

 

[dn4192]

Have a nice trip, a friend of mine made that trip back in early april and had no problems. Our train station and Greyhound share the same place so watchout for a large bus crowd..

 

[fisk]

Thanks for the detailed and quick response. It's much appreciated.

fisk

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I must say, the Hoosier State is argubly the WORST Amtrak train in America today! :excl: It is pretty much just a redundant hospital train that6's only there because Amtrak might as well carry passengers when transporting empty cars to maintanence. This train is short, always late, and offers very limited service. Nobody else has said this, but the Hoosier will be the first to leave if Amtrak has too much money problems.

Don't expect this train to be like the romantic journeys people talk about on the EB or CZ. This is THE worst Amtrak train in America! Even though it's still better than a bus or plane.

 

[jb64]

I must say, the Hoosier State is argubly the WORST Amtrak train in America today! :excl: It is pretty much just a redundant hospital train that6's only there because Amtrak might as well carry passengers when transporting empty cars to maintanence. This train is short, always late, and offers very limited service. Nobody else has said this, but the Hoosier will be the first to leave if Amtrak has too much money problems.

Don't expect this train to be like the romantic journeys people talk about on the EB or CZ. This is THE worst Amtrak train in America! Even though it's still better than a bus or plane.

have you ridden the Hoosier State?

 

[coachseats]

This train is short, always late, and offers very limited service.

Amtrak.com reports that the Cardinal/Hoosier State arrived on time 63.3% of the time in April. Not great, but certainly not "always late" either.

The OP didn't specify if they were leaving Fri. or Sat., but if on Sat. morning the train will not be short nor have limited service either, as it will be combined with the Cardinal so it will have a baggage car, viewliner sleeper, diner/lounge car, and many coaches.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

This train is short, always late, and offers very limited service.

Amtrak.com reports that the Cardinal/Hoosier State arrived on time 63.3% of the time in April. Not great, but certainly not "always late" either.

The OP didn't specify if they were leaving Fri. or Sat., but if on Sat. morning the train will not be short nor have limited service either, as it will be combined with the Cardinal so it will have a baggage car, viewliner sleeper, diner/lounge car, and many coaches.

Guess they improved the OTP. If fisk is not leaving on the days of the pure Hoosier, his ticket will show the Cardinal, right?

 

[Guest]

I must say, the Hoosier State is argubly the WORST Amtrak train in America today! :excl: It is pretty much just a redundant hospital train that6's only there because Amtrak might as well carry passengers when transporting empty cars to maintanence. This train is short, always late, and offers very limited service. Nobody else has said this, but the Hoosier will be the first to leave if Amtrak has too much money problems.

Don't expect this train to be like the romantic journeys people talk about on the EB or CZ. This is THE worst Amtrak train in America! Even though it's still better than a bus or plane.

Nice way to make people taking their first Amtrak trip feel good about it. Sometimes, once in a while, it may be best to keep your OPINIONS to yourself, unless you can back it up with documented facts; let the riders make up their own minds about the train they selected for their initial trip. I doubt very much they were planning a "romantic journey", with it only being a 5 hour trip!

 

[fisk]

First of all, we're going to have a good time no matter what. As long as the train gets us to Chicago SOMETIME on Saturday morning, we'll be fine. We are leaving on Saturday morning, which means Coachseats was correct. It looks like we're taking the Cardinal. That's my mistake since I thought it was the Hoosier State. I must have missed that when I booked the trip. I told you I'm new at this...

Either way, we're looking forward to this trip. I don't care if it was the train from the Petticoat Junction, we're still going to enjoy ourselves.

 

[fisk]

Well, I guess that brings up a few new questions. Now that I know we're going to have a lounge and a dining car available to us, will they be open and operating at 6am? Will we be able to get breakfast on the train?

thanks again.

 

[Railroad Bill]

Yes, the dining car/cafe will be open for breakfast and I would hope you will enjoy a breakfast on the train. The Cardinal's "diner" is not as fancy as the regular diners on LD trains but enjoy the experience. Since there are fewer sleeper passengers on this train, there should be plenty of room and time to enjoy your meal.

This car serves as the "lounge" as well, so your coach seat will best afford the scenic view on the train.

The Cardinal/Hoosier is a nice ride through central and northern Indiana and although it does not operate at top speed, you will have a nice ride into Chicago. Have a great time in Chicago. Wife and I were there two weeks ago. Always something to do and see.

 

[Railroad Bill]

I must say, the Hoosier State is argubly the WORST Amtrak train in America today! :excl: It is pretty much just a redundant hospital train that6's only there because Amtrak might as well carry passengers when transporting empty cars to maintanence. This train is short, always late, and offers very limited service. Nobody else has said this, but the Hoosier will be the first to leave if Amtrak has too much money problems.

Don't expect this train to be like the romantic journeys people talk about on the EB or CZ. This is THE worst Amtrak train in America! Even though it's still better than a bus or plane.

Nice way to make people taking their first Amtrak trip feel good about it. Sometimes, once in a while, it may be best to keep your OPINIONS to yourself, unless you can back it up with documented facts; let the riders make up their own minds about the train they selected for their initial trip. I doubt very much they were planning a "romantic journey", with it only being a 5 hour trip!

Amen to that! Mr Hardcore has again awoken on the wrong side of the bed

 

[RampWidget]

Nobody else has said this, but the Hoosier will be the first to leave if Amtrak has too much money problems.

And if it leaves, and then the only way to move cars to/from BEE is the Cardinal or special train service, then IMO more problems than solutions are created, and at a greater cost.

 

[fisk]

Yes, the dining car/cafe will be open for breakfast and I would hope you will enjoy a breakfast on the train. The Cardinal's "diner" is not as fancy as the regular diners on LD trains but enjoy the experience. Since there are fewer sleeper passengers on this train, there should be plenty of room and time to enjoy your meal.

This car serves as the "lounge" as well, so your coach seat will best afford the scenic view on the train.

The Cardinal/Hoosier is a nice ride through central and northern Indiana and although it does not operate at top speed, you will have a nice ride into Chicago. Have a great time in Chicago. Wife and I were there two weeks ago. Always something to do and see.

RailRoad Bill (and the others), thank you for the reply. Yes, I think we'll wait and have breakfast on the train. We'll take advantage of all the experiences this trip has to offer. We usually drive to Chicago for the weekend, but this sounded like so much fun and something we've never done before.

thanks.

 

[pennyk]

Enjoy your trip. In my experience, most dining cars open for breakfast at 6:30am (unless they have an early arrival time at a final destination). As Bill explained, the Cardinal diner is limited. It is considered a diner lite. The breakfast selections will be limited, but the 2 times I have been on the Cardinal, the food has been fine (considering the fact that there is no "kitchen"). I hope your trip is everything you want it to be.

 

[fisk]

Thanks Penny, i'm sure it will be. My wife and I are really excited about the trip.

 

[Rail Freak]

Hey Fisk, Have Fun & enjoy the experience!!! Can't wait for my next Breakfast on the Rails!!!

RF

 

[Tumbleweed]

First of all, we're going to have a good time no matter what. As long as the train gets us to Chicago SOMETIME on Saturday morning, we'll be fine. We are leaving on Saturday morning, which means Coachseats was correct. It looks like we're taking the Cardinal. That's my mistake since I thought it was the Hoosier State. I must have missed that when I booked the trip. I told you I'm new at this...

Either way, we're looking forward to this trip. I don't care if it was the train from the Petticoat Junction, we're still going to enjoy ourselves.

I would love to get a chance to ride that train from Petticoat Junction.

 

[JayPea]

First of all, we're going to have a good time no matter what. As long as the train gets us to Chicago SOMETIME on Saturday morning, we'll be fine. We are leaving on Saturday morning, which means Coachseats was correct. It looks like we're taking the Cardinal. That's my mistake since I thought it was the Hoosier State. I must have missed that when I booked the trip. I told you I'm new at this...

Either way, we're looking forward to this trip. I don't care if it was the train from the Petticoat Junction, we're still going to enjoy ourselves.

I would love to get a chance to ride that train from Petticoat Junction.

Wonder if engineer Charley Pratt and conductor Floyd Smoot are still on the job??? :lol: Have fun and enjoy yourselves! It's nice to see one of AU's Oscar the Grouches hasn't influenced you in any way.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Well, if you are taking the Cardinal, it is much better. The Hoosier State is the big problem. Please disregard most of what I previously said, it was because you said you were taking the Hoosier, and a light goes off in my head: Oh, no!

typo

 

[fisk]

Well that was a lot of fun.... I thought I'd stop in say thanks again to everyone for advice and comments. We had a great time on our trip to Chicago.

The down side was getting up so fricking early to get downtown in time to catch a 6am train. But other than that, it was awesome. Our seats were very nice and much larger than coach on a plane. That was great to see since I'm 6'3 and 300 lbs. The dining car opened for breakfast right after we left the station. It was only one car and there wasn't much room so everyone had to sit together with strangers at the tables. No big deal since we met a couple who are veteran riders and got to listen to some of their stories. The breakfast was OK, but not great. The funniest part was the guy who was the waiter. He was clearly not a morning person and was not happy to be there. He was a little snippy with the passengers and particularly the other guy working with him who was clearly new. It was more funny than anything else. After breakfast, we had a nice relaxing ride to Chicago. We very much enjoyed the train and absolutely will do this again.

Coming home on Sunday wasn't nearly as much fun. Because the train back from Chicago didn't get to Indy until almost midnight, we decided to take the bus option. It was supposed to leave Union Station at 3:30pm. We got there several hours early and found out it's just a pick up outside and it takes us back to the Greyhound station four blocks away, to wait another hour before it leaves to head south. We didn't want to wait on the street for four hours, so walked to the Greyhound station. While there, we found out there was another bus leaving for Indy at 1:15pm. We took that one instead and made it back to Indianapolis around 6:30 ET It was still several hours of the day wasted waiting to get home, but not nearly as bad as it would have been if we hadn't caught the earlier bus. Unless Amtrak schedules an earlier train back to Indy on Sunday, we'll probably just book the return trip directly with Greyhound so we can pick the one we want and leave as early as we want.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend. Thanks again to everyone who replied to this thread. Your advice was much appreciated.

 

[MiRider]

Well that was a lot of fun.... I thought I'd stop in say thanks again to everyone for advice and comments. We had a great time on our trip to Chicago.

The down side was getting up so fricking early to get downtown in time to catch a 6am train. But other than that, it was awesome. Our seats were very nice and much larger than coach on a plane. That was great to see since I'm 6'3 and 300 lbs. The dining car opened for breakfast right after we left the station. It was only one car and there wasn't much room so everyone had to sit together with strangers at the tables. No big deal since we met a couple who are veteran riders and got to listen to some of their stories. The breakfast was OK, but not great. The funniest part was the guy who was the waiter. He was clearly not a morning person and was not happy to be there. He was a little snippy with the passengers and particularly the other guy working with him who was clearly new. It was more funny than anything else. After breakfast, we had a nice relaxing ride to Chicago. We very much enjoyed the train and absolutely will do this again.

Coming home on Sunday wasn't nearly as much fun. Because the train back from Chicago didn't get to Indy until almost midnight, we decided to take the bus option. It was supposed to leave Union Station at 3:30pm. We got there several hours early and found out it's just a pick up outside and it takes us back to the Greyhound station four blocks away, to wait another hour before it leaves to head south. We didn't want to wait on the street for four hours, so walked to the Greyhound station. While there, we found out there was another bus leaving for Indy at 1:15pm. We took that one instead and made it back to Indianapolis around 6:30 ET It was still several hours of the day wasted waiting to get home, but not nearly as bad as it would have been if we hadn't caught the earlier bus. Unless Amtrak schedules an earlier train back to Indy on Sunday, we'll probably just book the return trip directly with Greyhound so we can pick the one we want and leave as early as we want.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend. Thanks again to everyone who replied to this thread. Your advice was much appreciated.

Yay! So glad you had a great time.

Taking the train is fun and pretty addictive, at least it is for me.

We should have told you that meals in the Diner/Dining Car are always community seating and, for a lot of us, it's one of the fun things about taking the train.

It's pretty rare to get a table to yourself - it would most likely be on a fairly empty train and there aren't many of those these days.

 

[fisk]

Well that was a lot of fun.... I thought I'd stop in say thanks again to everyone for advice and comments. We had a great time on our trip to Chicago.

The down side was getting up so fricking early to get downtown in time to catch a 6am train. But other than that, it was awesome. Our seats were very nice and much larger than coach on a plane. That was great to see since I'm 6'3 and 300 lbs. The dining car opened for breakfast right after we left the station. It was only one car and there wasn't much room so everyone had to sit together with strangers at the tables. No big deal since we met a couple who are veteran riders and got to listen to some of their stories. The breakfast was OK, but not great. The funniest part was the guy who was the waiter. He was clearly not a morning person and was not happy to be there. He was a little snippy with the passengers and particularly the other guy working with him who was clearly new. It was more funny than anything else. After breakfast, we had a nice relaxing ride to Chicago. We very much enjoyed the train and absolutely will do this again.

Coming home on Sunday wasn't nearly as much fun. Because the train back from Chicago didn't get to Indy until almost midnight, we decided to take the bus option. It was supposed to leave Union Station at 3:30pm. We got there several hours early and found out it's just a pick up outside and it takes us back to the Greyhound station four blocks away, to wait another hour before it leaves to head south. We didn't want to wait on the street for four hours, so walked to the Greyhound station. While there, we found out there was another bus leaving for Indy at 1:15pm. We took that one instead and made it back to Indianapolis around 6:30 ET It was still several hours of the day wasted waiting to get home, but not nearly as bad as it would have been if we hadn't caught the earlier bus. Unless Amtrak schedules an earlier train back to Indy on Sunday, we'll probably just book the return trip directly with Greyhound so we can pick the one we want and leave as early as we want.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend. Thanks again to everyone who replied to this thread. Your advice was much appreciated.

Yay! So glad you had a great time.

Taking the train is fun and pretty addictive, at least it is for me.

We should have told you that meals in the Diner/Dining Car are always community seating and, for a lot of us, it's one of the fun things about taking the train.

It's pretty rare to get a table to yourself - it would most likely be on a fairly empty train and there aren't many of those these days.

Oh, it was no problem. It turned out fine since we met a couple that are veteran train travelers. The funny part was the waiter. He was like a young Nathan Lane, but with an attitude. My wife and I made the mistake of seating ourselves at a table that was empty. Nathan very loudly corrected us and told us to sit at THIS table and pointed to the table with the couple. Now, if all the tables were going to be full, he could have just seated two other people with us and not made such a big deal out of it... Also, he nuked the living crap out of our breakfast too. And he left the salsa on the plate when he heated it up, instead of taking the time to remove it and keep it cold. Boiling salsa at 6:30am will definitely put hair on your chest.... LOL Oh well, we got a laugh out of it.