Amtrak Autumn Express 2015 (Oct 24 & Oct 25)

[Mike77E9]

Wonder if they could run the dome on that train?

There would be a real competition for those seats on those trains....so maybe better not to, unless they reserved them for a hefty premium....

I think the dome is scheduled to run on the Adirondack until early November. I agree that it would make sense to sell dome seats at a higher price, but perhaps they scheduled it to run on the Adirondack before they decided on the excursion route. After all, it does run on the Adirondack on a regular basis each fall.

It would be nice if they were able to put the Great Dome on for a premium price. And it would be even nicer if they could put American View on too. But hey, one can dream!

 

[pennyk]

I just got a ticket for 10/24

 

[Railroad Bill]

The information has been released and tickets are now on sale. $129 for the trip from Albany to western Mass. via Vt and tunnel. Non refundable but you do get boxed lunch and souvenir tote bag as with other trips. I am considering taking LSL from CLE to ALB on Friday and staying overnight in Albany, cab to station on Saturday morning. Take the trip which is scheduled to return to ALB by 5:30 and catch the wb LSL back home Saturday night.

So how many of you thrill seekers are joining me?

 

[neroden]

The train will apparently operate on October 24 and 25 from Albany NY and will operate over the Pan Am Southern to East Deerfield, MA and return. Tickets go on sale October 6 at 10 AM Eastern.

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=am/am2Station/Station_Page&code=AXP

Huh. I'd have to stay overnight the night before at Albany (or Schenectady), but I could go back home the same night... Say hi to Railroad Bill on the LSL...

 

[Palmetto]

Don't consider too long, Bill. The tickets sold out within minutes.

 

[Palmetto]

The station code AXP is no longer valid. Did they sell out already???

 

[Railroad Bill]

I just received my ticket for Oct 24. Better hurry!!

 

[acelafan]

I still see AXP as a valid choice, also the return time on ARROW says 7PM. Might be tight connection to LSL but hopefully Amtrak would hold it (maybe?)

 

[Railroad Bill]

The excursion info said the train is supposed to arrive back in AlB at 5:50pm but ticket says 7 pm. Hope it arrives before Lake Shore. May have to detrain in Schenectady if it is running late.

 

[Palmetto]

I guess they didn't put up a schedule before the purchasing process. Seems rather odd.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Another quick sellout for Amtrak!

As the old saying went about a disliked Hollywood Star's Funeral: ,"Give 'em what they want and they'll turn out!"

 

[afigg]

Another quick sellout for Amtrak!

As the old saying went about a disliked Hollywood Star's Funeral: ,"Give 'em what they want and they'll turn out!"

As of 11:35 AM ET, neither day is shown as sold-out. I just entered ALB to AXP for both days and seats are available. The 8 AM departure from ALB may keep some from taking the train because the first Empire service (well, the Maple Leaf) train from NYP doesn't arrive until 9:50 AM. Many will have to stay overnight in ALB to take the Autumn Express.

 

[J Smith]

They've done this tour for the past 2 years out of PHL but it looks like they're not doing it from there this year. I'm not happy. :-(

 

[TylerP42]

I really wish I could go. maybe next year.

 

[pennyk]

I just received another email and eticket. This one showing a return time of 5:50PM

 

[neroden]

Another quick sellout for Amtrak!

As the old saying went about a disliked Hollywood Star's Funeral: ,"Give 'em what they want and they'll turn out!"

As of 11:35 AM ET, neither day is shown as sold-out. I just entered ALB to AXP for both days and seats are available. The 8 AM departure from ALB may keep some from taking the train because the first Empire service (well, the Maple Leaf) train from NYP doesn't arrive until 9:50 AM. Many will have to stay overnight in ALB to take the Autumn Express.

Basically everyone will. You can't get there from the east (LSL), northeast (Ethan Allen), north (Adirondack), west (Empire Service/Maple Leaf), or south (Empire Service) by 8 AM. I suppose some people will drive overnight to get there.

 

[railiner]

I booked a seat right at 10:00 AM

I am planning to drive up (about 2 and a half hours) from Queens in the early morning. Anyone know a good place to park near the station?

I imagine this train will be a winfall for nearby motels....

 

[Palmetto]

Railiner, there's decent and free parking right at the Albany station.

 

[railiner]

Railiner, there's decent and free parking right at the Albany station.

That's great....thanks!

 

[JoeRids]

Railiner, there's decent and free parking right at the Albany station.

To my knowledge, the last time I parked at Albany (about 2 years ago) parking was a few bucks a day, a bit less expensive in a remote lot vs. the deck by the station. Years ago, at the old Albany/Renssalear station parking was free. Progress, you know...

 

[Railroad Bill]

Glad I got my hotel early this morning. Price of rooms went up $50 @ since then. The rail fans have taken over Albany

 

[railiner]

So where's a good place to grab an early breakfast nearby....I know...some of you in hotel's get a comp buffet...but for the rest of us?

 

[Palmetto]

Railiner, there's decent and free parking right at the Albany station.

To my knowledge, the last time I parked at Albany (about 2 years ago) parking was a few bucks a day, a bit less expensive in a remote lot vs. the deck by the station. Years ago, at the old Albany/Renssalear station parking was free. Progress, you know...

Thanks for that update. I haven't been there in about 4 or 5 years, and I'm not surprised they're charging.

 

[PVD]

At the station itself, only the very short term parking is free, I don't remember the time limit. The longer term parking is still pretty reasonable, they have different rates for different areas based on distance. If the weather is nice, none are too bad unless you are dragging luggage. As to hotels, it's not exactly a destination city. Remember, you are on the other side of the river from Albany. There are way more place to choose from on the other side, but it really isn't that far. If you get in early enough, the USS Slater a WW2 Destroyer Escort is on the Albany side. On the Renn side, there is an Econo Lodge a few miles south, I don't know if they pickup/drop off, and a cluster of places in East Greenbush by I-90. Also a few places up in Troy that cater to the RPI crowd.

 

[jis]

So, in a complete fit of insanity I managed to set up what amounts to a completely free trip, air/hotel/car all using points, to spend $129 out of an Amtrak voucher (from the canceled round trip for the AU Gathering) for the trip on the Autumn Special on Saturday! I am staying two nights at the Marriott Towne Place Suites Downtown Albany, flying in and out of Newark and driving to Albany and back from Newark. And as it turns out, both air legs are award travel in First Class too. I even managed to get a Prius for rental!