Carolinian Questions

[Mailliw]

I'm taking the Carolinian from NYC to Raleigh, NC and back this June with my parents to visit my older brother. We'll be in Business Class. Does BC have any bays of 4 seats across each other with a table? Also is there checked baggage service? Amtrak's website says yes, but doesn't appear to distinguish between the Carolinian and Piedmont. Finally my father is on oxygen so we'll be traveling with it; does Amtrak have any restrictions on that and can we get boarding assistance? Finally my mother wants to stay at Hotel Pennsylvania the night before because it's across the street from Penn Station. Is this a good idea? I've seen alot of mixed reviews. My personal preference is Yotel or one of the Pod Hotels.

 

[jiml]

The Hotel Pennsylvania, despite past glory, is a shadow of its former self. Check out the Fairfield Inn Penn Station directly across from the new Moynihan Hall.

 

[PVD]

Special Items in Baggage | Amtrak
don't forget to ask for any discounts that may be applicable for senior/handicapped that may apply
Some folks have had a good experience with a modern hotel West of 8th, I forget the name, since Moynihan is open it is now closer. Redcaps are available, let them know you would like boarding assistance, since the train originates in NY getting down early helps with seating...I don't recall an AM-1 BC car having tabled 4s. I think the Carolinian lost it baggage car under the covid cuts, but carry on shouldn't be a problem if you have a red cap.

 

[PVD]

The Hotel Pennsylvania, despite past glory, is a shadow of its former self. Check out the Fairfield Inn Penn Station directly across from the new Moynihan Hall.

thanks, my brain went blank on the hotel name.....

 

[PaTrainFan]

The Hotel Pennsylvania website says it is "temoraily closed."

https://www.hotelpenn.com/travel-advisory

 

[John Bobinyec]

The New Yorker is very nice. It's a block north of the station on Eighth Avenue.

I have never seen tables and opposing seats like you describe in business class. Of course there are booths like that in the cafe car, but I'm not sure if people are allowed to "camp out" in there.

The Carolinian has no baggage car right now. You can try to do a false booking on your dates and then when the list of trains comes up, you can check out the amenities to see if checked baggage returns.

The Silver Star also runs to Raleigh and does have checked baggage.

jb

 

[crescent-zephyr]

I have never seen tables and opposing seats like you describe in business class.

They are available in Business Class on Acela as well as Coach on the Piedmont trains. I’m trying to remember if they are on any of the California Amtrak trains.

 

[John Bobinyec]

I should have said: I have never seen tables and opposing seats like you describe in business class, on the Carolinian.

jb

 

[PVD]

The Penn should be reopened by then, but the long term prognosis is not good, since both of the redevelopment plans for the area involve tearing it down. Vornado has just been waiting for the right time....

 

[pennyk]

I stayed at the Hotel Pennsylvania over 20 years ago and it was awful then and I hear it is worse now. Go elsewhere.

 

[OBS]

I stayed at the Hotel Pennsylvania over 20 years ago and it was awful then and I hear it is worse now. Go elsewhere.

I did too and I agree completely!

 

[Maglev]

My wife stayed at the Hotel Pennsylvania, and did not like it at all.

The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New York Midtown Manhattan/Penn Station is right outside the door of the new Moynihan Train Hall, and has nice rooms (get a city view, or else you look out at the building next door a few feet away).

 

[Cal]

They are available in Business Class on Acela as well as Coach on the Piedmont trains. I’m trying to remember if they are on any of the California Amtrak trains.

As far as I know, the Surfliner has them

 

[MARC Rider]

My experience is that the Amrfleet 1 business class cars have 4-seaters with a table.

 

[RebelRider]

I'm taking the Carolinian from NYC to Raleigh, NC and back this June with my parents to visit my older brother. We'll be in Business Class. Does BC have any bays of 4 seats across each other with a table? Also is there checked baggage service? Amtrak's website says yes, but doesn't appear to distinguish between the Carolinian and Piedmont. Finally my father is on oxygen so we'll be traveling with it; does Amtrak have any restrictions on that and can we get boarding assistance? Finally my mother wants to stay at Hotel Pennsylvania the night before because it's across the street from Penn Station. Is this a good idea? I've seen alot of mixed reviews. My personal preference is Yotel or one of the Pod Hotels.

Edited below to clarify oxygen tank limits.

Reserved seating is available in Business Class on the Carolinian. Rows 15 and 16 are the four seaters with a table. The only seats actually reservable right now are 16A and 16F. Everything else is blocked for social distancing. So grab those two seats and you'll have both tables, if you want.

Checked baggage service is not available on the Carolinian. It is available on the Silver Star which operates a few hours later on Fri, Sat and Sun. Red Caps are available in New York and Raleigh station staff will be available with a golf cart for assistance to/from the train.

The restrictions on oxygen are fairly generous. You may bring two 50lb tanks, six 20lb tanks or any combination of tanks under 20lbs each when the total weight does not exceed 120lbs. Oxygen producing equipment must have sufficient battery capacity to run for four hours, unplugged. Make sure to call Amtrak and have them put an Oxygen Special Service Request on the reservation detailing what you'll be bringing.

Finally, I can second staying at The New Yorker. Good place, good location, one block walk to Penn Station/Moynihan Train Hall and the Tick Tock Diner, open 24/7, is adjacent to the lobby and pretty good.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Edited below to clarify oxygen tank limits.

Reserved seating is available in Business Class on the Carolinian. Rows 15 and 16 are the four seaters with a table. The only seats actually reservable right now are 16A and 16F. Everything else is blocked for social distancing. So grab those two seats and you'll have both tables, if you want.

Checked baggage service is not available on the Carolinian. It is available on the Silver Star which operates a few hours later on Fri, Sat and Sun. Red Caps are available in New York and Raleigh station staff will be available with a golf cart for assistance to/from the train.

The restrictions on oxygen are fairly generous. You may bring two 50lb tanks, six 20lb tanks or any combination of tanks under 20lbs each when the total weight does not exceed 120lbs. Oxygen producing equipment must have sufficient battery capacity to run for four hours, unplugged. Make sure to call Amtrak and have them put an Oxygen Special Service Request on the reservation detailing what you'll be bringing.

Finally, I can second staying at The New Yorker. Good place, good location, one block walk to Penn Station/Moynihan Train Hall and the Tick Tock Diner, open 24/7, is adjacent to the lobby and pretty good.

We had our NYC Gathering Group Dinner @ the Tick Tock Diner where honored the Late Alan B!!

 

[Night Ranger]

I stayed at the Hotel Pennsylvania over 20 years ago and it was awful then and I hear it is worse now. Go elsewhere.

Your experience mirrors ours 18 years ago. Never again.

 

[PVD]

It is a NYC classic.....One of the places we would go to lunchtime when I was working in that area...

 

[Mailliw]

Reserved seating is available in Business Class on the Carolinian. Rows 15 and 16 are the four seaters with a table. The only seats actually reservable right now are 16A and 16F. Everything else is blocked for social distancing. So grab those two seats and you'll have both tables, if you want.

Thanks, I wasn't aware I could reserve specific seats; 3 people traveling in the same party are still allowed to sit together, right?

 

[Seaboard92]

I haven't done business class on the Carolinian in ages mostly because I try to avoid that train at all costs. It's much more convenient for me to do the Palmetto if I must take a day train. However I believe it runs with whatever the standard Northeast Regional uses. Currently there is no baggage car.

 

[Amtrak_Carolinian_2020]

I haven't done business class on the Carolinian in ages mostly because I try to avoid that train at all costs. It's much more convenient for me to do the Palmetto if I must take a day train. However I believe it runs with whatever the standard Northeast Regional uses. Currently there is no baggage car.

What’s wrong with the Carolinian? I find the Amfleet 1s to be quite comfortable for day trips. Haven’t ridden in an Amfleet 2 before though.

 

[west point]

An AM-1 is great in the refurbished cars except for the small windows. I find that the vestibules on both ends can make some AM-1s cool breezy in the winter temps.

 

[PVD]

I don't even mind the small windows, but certain times of day the BC or AM2 curtains would sure be handy.

 

[abcnews]

I recall four seat booths at the head end of the BC car on the Carolinian. Another nice perk is a dedicated car attendant.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

I recall four seat booths at the head end of the BC car on the Carolinian. Another nice perk is a dedicated car attendant.

I knew the Carolinian has a dedicated BC attendant but what do they do? Bring you your one free drink? Can they take your order from the cafe car and bring it to your seat?