Boston South Station

[cpotisch]

Chicago is the only ML with showers. The others don't, so it isn't like they go together.

Oh, my bad. I thought Portland and LA also had them. Thanks.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Chicago is the only ML with showers. The others don't, so it isn't like they go together.

Oh, my bad. I thought Portland and LA also had them. Thanks.

Chicago did not have showers in the old Met Lounge.

 

[J-1 3235]

Here’s a few photos /monthly_2018_11/IMG_1537.thumb.JPG.3f58e0a990f190e790fe95c32880d2c4.JPG/monthly_2018_11/IMG_1538.thumb.JPG.36f73e11cce33a7e64225aa2bab3aa0a.JPGof the Metropolitan Lounge in Boston /monthly_2018_11/IMG_1536.thumb.JPG.1db0c470ccee47e9e423ddc41eee4ffd.JPG

 

[J-1 3235]

One more-

 

[PVD]

Thank you ....It's one of the ones I never see, I generally NER if I'm going to Boston, and am usually closer to Back Bay.

 

[cpotisch]

One more-View attachment 11163

Looks pretty sparsely furnished and kind of thrown together, IMHO.

 

[the_traveler]

It seems the upper level is MUCH less furnished than before.

 

[bratkinson]

It seems the upper level is MUCH less furnished than before.

It looks like they ran out of furniture when they got to the upper level.  But then, I've never seen the place more than 20% occupied in the mid-day hours I've been there.

On the other hand, the picture of the 1950s 'modern' style chair in one of the photos is identical to the chair seen in one of the photos of the Metropolitan Lounge at WAS on another web site.  It looks like Amtrak is in the process of giving all the lounges identical furniture.  The individual chair looks quite uncomfortable to me, even the lightly-padded (if any) arm rests.

It should be noted, too, that the  'branding' has changed at WAS and now, BOS from ClubAcela back to Metropolitan Lounge.  That would explain why PHL allows regional train business class customers in as well as Acela, sleeping car, and AGR Select plus/executive passengers plus those with single use passes.  I'd LOVE to see how they pack even MORE people into the lounge at NYP!  I've seen it standing room only with Acela passengers for both directions, a number of AGR S+/E passengers (including me), and Silver Meteor sleeper passengers!  Unless they expand, there's no way to accomodate business class passengers.

 

[the_traveler]

Another thing is BC on Regional or Empire Service is not the same as BC on Acela.

 

[cpotisch]

It looks like they ran out of furniture when they got to the upper level.  But then, I've never seen the place more than 20% occupied in the mid-day hours I've been there.

On the other hand, the picture of the 1950s 'modern' style chair in one of the photos is identical to the chair seen in one of the photos of the Metropolitan Lounge at WAS on another web site.  It looks like Amtrak is in the process of giving all the lounges identical furniture.  The individual chair looks quite uncomfortable to me, even the lightly-padded (if any) arm rests.

It should be noted, too, that the  'branding' has changed at WAS and now, BOS from ClubAcela back to Metropolitan Lounge.  That would explain why PHL allows regional train business class customers in as well as Acela, sleeping car, and AGR Select plus/executive passengers plus those with single use passes.  I'd LOVE to see how they pack even MORE people into the lounge at NYP!  I've seen it standing room only with Acela passengers for both directions, a number of AGR S+/E passengers (including me), and Silver Meteor sleeper passengers!  Unless they expand, there's no way to accomodate business class passengers.

Sorry, PHL is allowing regular Business Class passengers in now? How about Acela "Business"?

 

[bratkinson]

Sorry, PHL is allowing regular Business Class passengers in now? How about Acela "Business"?

The last 2 times I've been in the PHL lounge, the suddenly 'busier than usual' (late afternoon) seemed to echo what I read on another web  site...PHL accepts BC customers, with or without coupon/AGR status.  All Acela passengers are always welcome...at those prices, they better be!

However...it should be noted, per Amtraks' own web site regarding lounges: click here   that CHI, LAX and PDX accept same-day BC passengers (look under 'Metropolitan Lounge' heading).   Noting that Boston has been renamed 'Metropolitan Lounge' and furniture that duplicates the change at WAS, can the 'exclusivity' of the ClubAcela be getting 'expanded' to everyone other than coach? 

 

[oregon pioneer]

Wow, they had big walls in the upstairs part before, and they are just gone! They were office-divider type stuff, with TVs and small seating areas. The walls were dark, the whole upstairs  seemed dark and divided and narrow and cut-off. This is MUCH better.

 

[Acela150]

PHL accepts BC customers, with or without coupon/AGR status.  All Acela passengers are always welcome...at those prices, they better be!

This is completely false!

You need a Coupon, Select Plus, Select Executive, or pay a $20 fee for a day pass. PHL and BOS are the only lounges that  The only Acela passengers welcome are First Class passengers. Unless they have a coupon or AGR status. If all Acela passengers were welcome to use the lounge there'd be no room to move at any lounge. 

 

[neroden]

It should be noted, too, that the  'branding' has changed at WAS and now, BOS from ClubAcela back to Metropolitan Lounge.  That would explain why PHL allows regional train business class customers in as well as Acela, sleeping car, and AGR Select plus/executive passengers plus those with single use passes.  I'd LOVE to see how they pack even MORE people into the lounge at NYP!  I've seen it standing room only with Acela passengers for both directions, a number of AGR S+/E passengers (including me), and Silver Meteor sleeper passengers!  Unless they expand, there's no way to accomodate business class passengers.

Well, NYP will probably remain "ClubAcela"  until it moves to the Farley Building in 2020.

 

[Acela150]

Well, NYP will probably remain "ClubAcela"  until it moves to the Farley Building in 2020.

If the other lounges have changed. There is no reason NYP would be excluded. 

 

[neroden]

Bit of a waste to redo the lounge for one and a half years, but I suppose Mr. Anderson doesn't really care about wasting money.

 

[ehbowen]

Bit of a waste to redo the lounge for one and a half years, but I suppose Mr. Anderson doesn't really care about wasting money.

Not as long as it isn't being spent on something which would tangibly improve service to passengers/customers.

 

[Acela150]

Bit of a waste to redo the lounge for one and a half years, but I suppose Mr. Anderson doesn't really care about wasting money.

I'd actually beg to differ. The NYP Lounge is heavily used. To the point where it's SRO during morning and afternoon rush hour. And while 2020 is the target date for the new building things can change quickly. 

 

[PVD]

Aside from the heavy load of Acela F/C, NY sees a very large number of sleeper passengers with LSL, CR, SS, SM, CARD, and connects to CL

 

[cpotisch]

Wait, so it’s official that Penn Station is moving to the Farley Building?

 

[PVD]

Expansion of space and amenities,as well as access points not a total move of the whole station

 

[neroden]

Not "moving" per se, but yes. 

Moynihan Phase II, which includes the Train Hall in the Farley building, the elevators and escalators from the Farley building to (most of) the tracks, a new Amtrak ticket office, and an entirely new Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge, among other things, is actually under construction and has been for months.  The skylight has already gone up.   Amtrak is signed on.

Several of the NJT tracks will still only be reachable from the NJT concourse.  :-(

 

[cpotisch]

Expansion of space and amenities,as well as access points not a total move of the whole station

Not "moving" per se, but yes. 

Moynihan Phase II, which includes the Train Hall in the Farley building, the elevators and escalators from the Farley building to (most of) the tracks, a new Amtrak ticket office, and an entirely new Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge, among other things, is actually under construction and has been for months. The skylight has already gone up. Amtrak is signed on.

Several of the NJT tracks will still only be reachable from the NJT concourse. :-(

Thanks. I guess I’ve fallen pretty far behind on this topic.

 

[railiner]

Not "moving" per se, but yes. 

Moynihan Phase II, which includes the Train Hall in the Farley building, the elevators and escalators from the Farley building to (most of) the tracks, a new Amtrak ticket office, and an entirely new Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge, among other things, is actually under construction and has been for months.  The skylight has already gone up.   Amtrak is signed on.

Several of the NJT tracks will still only be reachable from the NJT concourse.  :-(

Didn't realize they were that far along with the project....it sounds like you might have gotten a "sneak peek" inside?

 

[neroden]

I didn't personally get a sneak peak... but Curbed did.  This is from early September.  Obviously construction takes a long time, but it's well underway.

https://ny.curbed.com/2018/9/7/17828158/new-york-penn-station-moynihan-train-hall-construction