Booking oddity & a layover question

[John Bredin]

So my wife and I are planning a fall trip to Vermont to see the leaves change, etc. After looking at train schedules, we settled upon CHI-Burlington and return by Lake Shore Limited (LSL) & Ethan Allen Express (EAE). We had also resolved since our last trip in a bedroom that it wasn't worth the (typical) premium over booking two roomettes. An interesting thing came up when I made test bookings: the website would not sell us two roomettes with the change of trains, but would sell us two roomettes on the same day's train if we booked all the way to NYP. And it would sell us two roomettes with the change of trains coming back 8 days later.

I can't think of a scenario where two roomettes are available if we take the Lake Shore Limited from Chicago to NY City but not the same train Chicago to Schenectady. For instance, the NY-Boston split shouldn't affect availability because Schenectady is west of the split; that is, the train has both sections SDY-CHI. I know the best answer is to bypass the website and book on the phone using the AGR number when the time comes but I'm still curious.

Another question: the test booking had us changing between the LSL and EAE at Schenectady, as alluded to above, with a 3-hour layover one way and a 5-hour layover the other if I'm reading it correctly. Is there anything interesting to do in downtown Schenectady in that time? I know again the best answer is the layover may only be an hour or two with delays but I have been on on-time Amtrak trains and it's best to be prepared.

 

[oregon pioneer]

I don't know about Schenectady, but I *have* had problems booking my desired itinerary eve we I *knew* that it was possible. I had to call. When "Julie" answers the phone, just start repeating the word "agent" until she says I think you said you want to talk to an agent, is that correct?" Of course the answer is YES... that does get you there quicker than going through the whole Q&A tree.

I also want to follow this thread because some day I would like to do that trip myself. I always come in on the LSL, and it used to not be possible to get directly to Burlington. I am so thrilled they extended the Ethan Allen!

 

[NorthShore]

It's been awhile since I've been through on a layover, but Schenectady is quite the nice town with lots of restaurants and interesting shops in a walkable area. Haven't consulted the schedule, but it always seemed like an ideal place for a layover to me.