Amtrak Sneak Preview

[Superliner Diner]

It's that time of year when I have created numerous hits on Amtrak's website in order to see what they have in store for us in the new timetables. They will be effective on Monday, April 25, 2005.

As always, current train numbers will be in black, while new numbers will be in red.

East-Midwest

LAKE SHORE LIMITED

The LAKE SHORE LIMITED will operate between Chicago and New York as Trains 48 eastbound and 49 westbound. Train 48 will depart from Chicago at 7:55 PM, which is 20 minutes later than it currently does. But its New York arrival time has not changed. Train 49 will leave from New York City at 3:50 PM, one hour later than now, and it will get into Chicago at 9:30 AM, 47 minutes later then currently. All told, the westbound trip is 13 minutes shorter than it was before.

Through operation to and from Boston will not be returning. The shuttle train that runs between Albany and Boston will be 448 eastbound. Westbound, departures from Boston are later due to the later departure from New York. On weekends, Train 449 departs Boston at 12:35 PM and arrives Albany 5:45 PM. On weekdays, the train will be called 447 and it will depart Boston 1:00 PM and arrive Albany 6:05 PM.

CARDINAL

Eastbound Train 50 will arrive in New York City about 20 minutes earlier than before. Otherwise, no other major changes.

CAPITOL LIMITED

The westbound CAPITOL LIMITED, Train 29, will leave Washington, DC at 3:55 PM, which is almost 1-1/2 hours earlier than present. Its arrival in Chicago is set for 8:25 AM, almost 2 hours earlier than now. Eastbound 30 will still depart Chicago at 5:35 PM, but its arrival into Washington is slated to be at 11:59 AM, 25 minutes sooner than the current schedule.

PENNSYLVANIAN

This train is currently following the schedule of the former THREE RIVERS between New York City and Pittsburgh. With the timetable change, it will revert closer to that of the former PENNSYLVANIAN, when it was a New York-Pittsburgh train before November 2004. Westbound Train 43 will leave New York 9:55 AM, and arrive Pittsburgh 7:05 PM. This is about 2 or 2-1/2 hours that the ideal dinnertime arrival in Pittsburgh, but it lessens the wait for those continuing west on Train 29 (which in turn is running earlier, see above). The eastbound PENNSYLVANIAN will depart from Pittsburgh at 7:20 AM as Train 42 on weekdays, also about 2-1/2 hours earlier than present. But on Sundays, it will operate as Train 44 and leave Pittsburgh six hours later. That will translate to a very long dwell for those who leave Chicago on Saturday nights on Train 30.

Thruway

Pittsburgh-Columbus, OH Thruway connections were rescheduled to meet the new timetable of the PENNSYLVANIAN, rather than the old THREE RIVERS schedule. They have been redesignated as 8042, 8043, and 8044.

Runs 8140 and 8841 between Pittsburgh and Cleveland are gone. The only remaining connection between these two cities is the CAPITOL LIMITED.

Hagerstown-Pittsburgh bus runs 8840 and 8841 are eliminated.

Toledo-Detroit-East Lansing bus 6029/6049 (actually one bus connecting from both 29 and 49 in Toledo) will run one hour earlier. Bus 6030/6048 will run 15 minutes earlier East Lansing-Detroit-Toledo.

 

[Superliner Diner]

East and Empire, Keystone Service

DOWNEASTER

Returning to all reserved status.

10-15 minutes removed from all trips due to increased speed limits.

VERMONTER

Southbound VERMONTER, Train 55 on weekdays and 57 on weekends, will depart from St. Albans at 8:30 AM, which is about 2 hours later than it does now. The northbound train, 54 on weekends and 56 on weekdays, will operate later, coming into St. Albans at 9:25 PM seven days a week.

The Montreal Thruway bus is being restored because of the later morning departure. Buses 8054, 8055, 8056, and 8057 will be returning to the timetable.

ETHAN ALLEN EXPRESS

No major changes.

MAPLE LEAF

Eastbound Train 64 will depart from Toronto one hour earlier than now, but will arrive in New York about the same time. Extra time was added for the border crossing and to counter freight interference. No changes to westbound 63.

ADIRONDACK

No major changes.

EMPIRE SERVICE

Train 284, which currently departs Niagara Falls at 5:55 AM, will be moved earlier to leave at 4:45 AM. This will improve arrival times into both Albany and New York City, and restore a connection with the southbound SILVER METEOR. 284, which previously ran Mondays through Saturdays, will now operate weekdays only.

In place of 284 on Saturdays, a new Train 280 will depart from Niagara Falls at 5:45 AM, about 10 minutes earlier than the present morning departure.

Train 256, which previously ran Sundays only in the Albany-New York timeslot used by 284 on the other six days, will now run daily except Saturdays. 280 takes that slot on Saturdays.

Generally, 10-20 minutes was added to running times between Niagara Falls and Albany on all trains.

New York-Albany train 259 runs 10 minutes earlier.

KEYSTONE SERVICE

With the earlier departure of Train 43, Keystone train 609 is being eliminated every day but Saturday. Taking over 43's old slot will be new weekday-only train 613.

On Saturdays, Train 609 will remain.

Train 641, which currently runs daily from New York City to Harrisburg, will become weekdays only. Its timeslot will be covered by the above 609 from Philadelphia to Harrisburg only on Saturdays. On Sundays, a new Train 659 will run on a slightly different schedule than 641, departing New York at 7:00 AM.

A new Sunday-only Train 661 will depart New York at 2 PM for Philadelphia and Harrisburg. It replaces current Train 663 which runs New York-Philadelphia only. 663 will continue but on Saturdays only.

Weekday train 608 is being extended to New York, and will be redesignated at 658.

A new Train 610 will depart from Harrisburg for Philadelphia at 9:25 AM, filling 2-1/2 hour gap in service.

Train 650, currently daily, will run on Sundays only in approximately the same timeslot. It will be replaced on the other 6 days of the week by the rescheduled PENNSYLVANIAN, Train 42.

A new Train 654 will run weekends only between Harrisburg and New York in the timeslot now held by the current 42 and former Train 40.

Train 44, the Sunday version of the PENNSYLVANIAN, replaces current Train 664 between Harrisburg and New York City.

 

[Superliner Diner]

Northeast Corridor

Thruway

One round trip eliminated from Wilmington, DE-Salisbury, MD runs. Bus runs 8739 and 8742 are gone. There is still service to both Salisbury, MD and one run remains to Ocean City, MD.

REGIONAL, METROLINER, ACELA EXPRESS

All Regional trains will be all-reserved.

Weekday-only Regional Train 132 will be eliminated. Its timeslot between Philadelphia and New York will be covered by new Keystone 658 (the extended 608).

Acela Express 2150, the first weekday run of the day from Washington to Boston, is eliminated. Regional Train 170 will be moved earlier (Washington departure 4:35 AM) to cover its timeslot mainly north of New York. Taking over 170's old timeslot (5:05 AM Washington departure) between Washington and New York is new Regional Train 110.

Metroliner 101 will be replaced by a new Regional, Train 111.

Metroliner 102, the 10 AM Washington departure, will be replaced by Acela Express 2108.

Metroliner 105, the 6 PM New York departure, will be replaced by Acela Express 2119.

Acela Express 2175, the 5:20 PM Boston-Washington departure, and Acela Express 2191, the 6:20 PM Boston-New York departure, are being replaced. Between Boston and New York they are combined into a new 2193, which will leave Boston 5:20 PM and terminate in New York. The New York-Washington segment of 2175 will be replaced by a new Regional 187.

With 2150 and 2175 off the schedule, the original two Acela Express runs from the 2000 debut are both gone.

Regional Trains 169 (Fridays BOS-WAS)/179 (Mon-Thurs BOS-PHL) have been rescheduled to depart from Boston at 6:45 PM (vs. 7:25 currently).

Train 639, a New York-Philadelphia Clocker positioning move, will depart New York at 11:59 PM, 44 minutes later. In effect it swaps timeslots with 169/179. Train 639, which currently runs on weekdays only, will also run on Sundays, replacing Sunday-only Clocker 631.

Regional Train 135, a weekend Boston-Washington run, will depart Boston 45 minutes later.

Sunday Acela Express 2297, BOS-WAS has been removed from the schedule.

Sunday Acela Express 2298, WAS-BOS currently only running on Sundays, will switch to Saturdays only. In 2298's place on Sundays for the WAS-NYP segment will be new 2212. Meanwhile, weekend Acela Express 2254 will shed its Saturday service and run Sundays only.

Regional Train 88, which currently runs on weekends from Richmond to Boston, will have different schedules on Saturdays and Sundays. It retains the 88 designation on Saturdays. On Sundays, it will still run between Richmond and Boston, but it will be Train 76.

Sunday-only Regional Train 139 from New York to Washington will no longer operate. It has been replaced on the NYP-PHL segment by new Clocker 637.

Weekend-only Regional 128 is gone. It operated the same schedule as weekday 198 between Washington and New York, but it got a separate designation at the last timetable change because weekend service went all reserved at that time, while the weekday train remained unreserved. With all trains now being reserved, the number now reverts back to 198, which runs seven days a week.

On weekends, due to the later running of the VERMONTER, Trains 57 and Regional 159 have traded timeslots.

Saturday Metroliner 203 becomes Acela Express 2203.

Sunday Metroliner 205 becomes Acela Express 2205.

A new Saturday Acela Express 2207 is added to the schedule, departing New York at 10 AM.

Saturday Metroliner 210 has been eliminated, with no replacement.

Saturday Metroliner 223 has been eliminated, with no replacement.

Saturday Metroliner 214 becomes Acela Express 2214.

Weekend Metroliner 220 becomes Acela Express 2220.

Sunday Metroliner 213 becomes Acela Express 2213.

Sunday Metroliner 208 becomes Acela Express 2208.

Sunday Metroliner 221 becomes Acela Express 2221.

A new Sunday Acela Express 2228 is added to the schedule, departing Washington at 8 PM.

Sunday Metroliner 220 is replaced by new Regional 126, departing Washington at 4 PM.

Sunday Metroliner 222 becomes Acela Express 2222.

Springfield Shuttles

Due to the rescheduling of the southbound VERMONTER, some major changes take place.

New Train 473 replaces 55's timeslot on weekdays, and connects in New Haven with Regional 173.

New Train 463 replaces 57's timeslot on weekends, and connects in New Haven with Regional 163.

Train 55 replaces Shuttle 437 on weekdays.

Train 57 replaces Shuttle 435 on weekends.

Train 472, weekday Shuttle that connects with Regional 172 in New Haven, is gone. It is replaced by Shuttle 474, which connects in New Haven with Regional 174.

Filling the gap in service that this creates, a new weekday Shuttle 454 will begin. This is the first Shuttle that connects with an Acela Express (2154) rather than a Regional.

Since Regional 88 becomes 76 on Sundays, Shuttle 488 will be replaced on Sunday by new Shuttle 406. (Sorry, but the number 476 is already taken. This train will not be connecting with the CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR!! ). 88 and 488 remain on Saturdays.

 

[Superliner Diner]

Southeast

SILVER STAR, PALMETTO, CAROLINIAN

Due to the continued CSX trackwork in North Carolina, no major changes are evident. This operating scheme should continue beyond the timetable change until June.

Trains 89 and 90, the PALMETTO, runs New York-Savannah on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The same trains operate in two sections the rest of the week. New York-Richmond is Trains 89 and 90, while Rocky Mount-Savannah is Trains 1089 and 1090. The Thruway bus bridge between Richmond and Rocky Mount is 3089 southbound, and 3090 northbound.

Trains 79 and 80, the CAROLINIAN, runs New York-Charlotte on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The same trains only operate Rocky Mount-Charlotte the other 4 days of the week, and passengers utilize the PALMETTO and its bustitution to get to and from points north of Rocky Mount. No special numbers for the truncated CAROLINIAN.

The northbound SILVER STAR, Train 92, continues to bypass Lakeland and Tampa. The regular Fort Myers-Tampa Thruway bus, 6092, has been extended to Winter Haven to bring Tampa and Lakeland passengers to the train. Passengers coming from Southeast Florida who would have gotten off at Lakeland or Tampa are using temporary Thruway bus 6392 between Winter Haven, Lakeland, and Tampa.

Because of the above bustitution (albeit in one direction), the regular Thruway bus that was a replacement for the PALMETTO in Florida (6291 and 6292) has been truncated to run only Jacksonville-Dade City. There is no service to/from southern Florida for Dade City, Wildwood, Ocala, UF/Gainesville, and Waldo until the normal operating scheme is restored.

No changes to southbound SILVER STAR.

The Thruway bus between Miami and the Florida Keys (8191 and 8192)has been eliminated.

AUTO TRAIN, SILVER METEOR, PIEDMONT

No major changes.

CRESCENT

Southbound Train 19 runs 30-35 minutes earlier over its entire route. Northbound Train 20 departs NOL at the same time as present, but gets to NYP 21 minutes later.

MIDWEST

Thruway

The Milwaukee, WI-Marquette, MI (via Green Bay) Thruway bus 8830 & 8831) appears to have been cancelled. This run used to connect with the trains in Chicago, but it was cut back to Milwaukee within the last year to connect to one of the Hiawatha Service trains in each direction.

WOLVERINE SERVICE, PERE MARQUETTE, BLUE WATER, HIAWATHA SERVICE, Illinois & Missouri Services

No major changes. Westbound Train 353 later schedule (by 50 minutes) is permanent.

Midwest - West Coast

EMPIRE BUILDER, SOUTHWEST CHIEF, TEXAS EAGLE, HEARTLAND FLYER

No major changes.

Thruway

Thruway bus runs 8303 and 8304, which currently run between Kansas City, MO and Tulsa, OK (connecting with both the SOUTHWEST CHIEF and the ANN RUTLEDGE), have been extended south to Oklahoma City. 8303 now connects to 821, and bus 8304 connects from the northbound HEARTLAND FLYER 822.

CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR

Westbound Train 5 will now depart CHI half an hour earlier at 1:50 PM, and arrive Emeryville, CA 4:49 PM, 20 minutes earlier than present. Eastbound Train 6 is going to leave EMY at 9:15 AM (20 minutes before it does now), and get into Chicago 3:20 PM, twelve minutes sooner.

Thruway

The Denver - Eagle, CO Thruway bus, 8805 westbound and 8706 eastbound, has been cut back to run Denver - Vail.

West Coast

COAST STARLIGHT, SAN JOAQUINS, CAPITOL CORRIDOR, PACIFIC SURFLINERS, CASCADES

No major changes.

 

[jccollins]

Thanks for the summary Superliner Diner. I have a few changes to add to our west coast services.

COAST STARLIGHT Trains 11 and 14 will be adding a station stop at Van Nuys, California (VNC). This stop will provide passengers boarding and detraining with staffed station services, ticket sales, and checked baggage. The current Glendale, California (GDL) station stop will be eliminated from the Starlight route on April 25 when the new timetable goes into effect. This station lost its staff a couple years ago and station "improvements" made by the city have effectively decreased ridership boarding and detraining from other trains at this station. However all Amtrak Pacific Surfliners, Metrolink commuter trains, and San Joaquin connecting thruway motorcoaches will continue to serve this station as usual.

SOUTHWEST CHIEF Train 4 will have its running time reduced from 60 minutes to 35 minutes between Los Angeles Union Station, California (LAX) and Fullerton, California (FUL) due to the ellimination of Mail and Express and its time consuming procedure after "departing" the station. The result is that station departures are between 25 and 0 minutes earlier between Fullerton, California (FUL) and Dodge City, Kansas (DDG). Train 4's schedule remains unchanged between Dodge City, Kansas (DDG) and Chicago, Illinois (CHI).

Train 3 will still depart Chicago at 3:15pm but will arrive into Los Angeles five minutes earlier at 8:15am. Various schedule adjustments have been made enroute to have the train departing select stations up to fifteen minutes earlier than presently scheduled.

 

[Steve4031]

I do appreciate the effort. Unfortunately, I don't always like the message. Still no diner on the Cardinal, and I don't like the Capitols early arrival into Chicago. That cheats one out of one last breakfast in the diner. But I am sure that there are good reasons for this in someone's mind, so I'll bear with it.

 

[Superliner Diner]

Thanks JCCollins for the updates on the western trains.

COAST STARLIGHT Trains 11 and 14 will be adding a station stop at Van Nuys, California (VNC). This stop will provide passengers boarding and detraining with staffed station services, ticket sales, and checked baggage. The current Glendale, California (GDL) station stop will be eliminated on April 25 when the new timetable goes into effect.

It should be noted that Glendale will continue to be an Amtrak station stop on the Pacific Surfliners, and on Metrolink's Antelope Valley and Ventura County Lines, lest anyone think the station will cease to exist as a stop. Only the long distance COAST STARLIGHT won't be stopping there anymore. Some overnight Thruway buses will stop at Glendale as well, especially between Los Angeles and Bakersfield.

 

[Superliner Diner]

Steve,

I don't like the Capitols early arrival into Chicago. That cheats one out of one last breakfast in the diner.

Part of the reason the change was so drastic for the westbound train was to avoid the MARC rush hour in the Washington area. Note that the train will now depart 3:55 PM, right before the rush hour. With the current 5:20 PM departure, if the locals got messed up and operated out of their windows, they would delay the CAPITOL LIMITED.

Earlier departure from Washington spells earlier arrival into Chicago. Not a bad thing, although it is bittersweet for connecting passengers in Chicago. Earlier arrival ensures connections will be made, however if the train is on time the wait will be longer for the western trains. I think I'd rather be early than have to sweat it out as to whether I will make that next train.

As for breakfast, they usually start serving at 6 AM or so. I am not sure where exactly the time zone change falls, and it is in different places depending on the time of year due to Indiana's not participating in Daylight Savings Time. I'd think they would open at 6:00 Central. So with an 8:30 AM arrival into Chicago, you should have ample time for breakfast, unless you are a very late sleeper and intend to awaken within a short time of arrival into Chicago Union Station.

 

[lepearso]

Will Amtrak manage to preserve a decent schedule through Northern Ohio?

It looks to me like they won't be able to as both the Lake Shore and C.L. are operating unusually early going westbound.

 

[Steve4031]

Steve,

I don't like the Capitols early arrival into Chicago. That cheats one out of one last breakfast in the diner.

Part of the reason the change was so drastic for the westbound train was to avoid the MARC rush hour in the Washington area. Note that the train will now depart 3:55 PM, right before the rush hour. With the current 5:20 PM departure, if the locals got messed up and operated out of their windows, they would delay the CAPITOL LIMITED.

Earlier departure from Washington spells earlier arrival into Chicago. Not a bad thing, although it is bittersweet for connecting passengers in Chicago. Earlier arrival ensures connections will be made, however if the train is on time the wait will be longer for the western trains. I think I'd rather be early than have to sweat it out as to whether I will make that next train.

As for breakfast, they usually start serving at 6 AM or so. I am not sure where exactly the time zone change falls, and it is in different places depending on the time of year due to Indiana's not participating in Daylight Savings Time. I'd think they would open at 6:00 Central. So with an 8:30 AM arrival into Chicago, you should have ample time for breakfast, unless you are a very late sleeper and intend to awaken within a short time of arrival into Chicago Union Station.

I assumed that there was a good reason for this, and the commuter train issue in D.C. makes sense. I forgot that 8:30 is actually 9:30 et, so that there should be enough time for that last breakfast.

I have taken the wb capitol several times, and it never seems to be late when I am on it, except once, and I was not aware of the commuter train issue in D.C.

 

[AmtrakFan]

IT is a good idea for 29 to be on a later time because it continues as the Chief and 3 often leaves late so this will allow more time get it serviced.

 

[Guest_Gingee]

I like the Cardinal getting into NYC 20 minutes earlier (if that even happens). Hey it is late at night.

 

[Superliner Diner]

I like the Cardinal getting into NYC 20 minutes earlier (if that even happens). Hey it is late at night.

That is just some padding removed.

As we know, trains that operate "closed door" (the CARDINAL and other trains like Silver Service, CRESCENT, etc. does not carry local Washington-New York passengers) can operate ahead of schedule. If it gets into Washington on time or early, it can proceed to New York making its discharges along the way and come in well ahead of what it says in the timetable.

 

[Viewliner]

Just got my timetable, and it's very interesting...they updated the schedules of course and removed all Metroliners (prematurely it seems now), but they didn't remove it from the page highlighting Northeast Corridor Service or the Glossary of Amtrak Services and Amenities. It's nice to see a single level train on the cover, even if it is photoshopped.

 

[AmtrakWPK]

I wonder if they might make the "closed door" trains on the NEC "open door" while the Acelas are offline??

 

[jccollins]

I wonder if they might make the "closed door" trains on the NEC "open door" while the Acelas are offline??

Nah, I doubt it. The closed door trains (mostly longhauls) are usually too unreliable to provide a real worthwile service to local passengers and usually don't make all the local stops.