Couple questions pertaining to the Crescent

[Arcturus]

I'm taking the Crescent to NYC and when I booked the ticket the lady on the phone said that despite the fact that New Orleans station says it's closed at 10 ticket passengers can still be in the station overnight I'm curious if that's true or not. Also when the Crescent gets to DC is it allowed to get off and watch them switch the engines

 

[StriderGDM]

I can't speak for New Orleans, but yes, you can get off at DC to watch the engine change. However, head the warnings. They have been known to leave without passengers. Since WAS and points north are "discharge only" it can leave without much warning.

 

[offroad437]

So as for the station, it is also a bus stop. The last bus arrives at 345am if the schedule is still the same. However it is not recommended to be there all night.

 

[Bob Dylan]

I just went through NOL ( overnighted on my dime) and some ticketed passengers from #2 were allowed to stay overnight in Union Station, but all others without tickets are run out @ Midnight.

There is a Security Guard @ the one entrance and you can go outside and return if you're ticked on #20 or Greyhound the next morning.

Some people that I rode with on #2 and #20 with told me they dim the lights @ Midnight and that the Subway in the Station stayed open to 11pm. There are bathrooms and water fountains so you should be OK. .

 

[Arcturus]

Thanks so much for the info I got a room at the Holiday Inn down the street just in case.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Thanks so much for the info I got a room at the Holiday Inn down the street just in case.

I just stayed there, much better accommodations!

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

As for watching the engine change in WAS, the change crew should be more than happy to let you come up; just do not get in their way and do pay heed to the Golf Carts and Gator type vehicles scooting up and down the platform. Be sure to take your camera up with you and often someone will take a moment or 2 to explain what is going on.

 

[tomfuller]

FYI the Cafe du Monde is open all night -- coffee and begniets mmmm..

 

[City of Miami]

The situation in New Orleans is strange. After the Sunset Ltd arrives the station closes, which is generally by 10pm. They lock the doors. No one may enter and if you are inside you stay inside. There are rent a cops and one in particular was very unpleasant the night I spent there. NOT RECOMMENDED. No smoking, no Wifi, no food or drink and you are confined to a corral within the station. Incredible! And folks complain about Gate Dragons at WAS. The station reopens at 5:45 IIRC.

Edit: I just read BD's post whose experience is more recent than mine. It appears the policy has been justifiably liberalized. The night I stayed absolutely nothing was open all night including Greyhound and if the guard caught you walking over to the water fountain you got a wrist slap.

 

[me_little_me]

I can't speak for New Orleans, but yes, you can get off at DC to watch the engine change. However, head the warnings. They have been known to leave without passengers. Since WAS and points north are "discharge only" it can leave without much warning.

Have you ever been left? My experience in a bunch or engine changes on the Crescent has been that the engine change is so obvious when it is complete that you can't miss it if you are on the platform. Also, the car attendants will remind you to get back on the train. The only chance of missing the train is when you leave the platform.

Thanks so much for the info I got a room at the Holiday Inn down the street just in case.

We usually stay overnight at the Quality Inn which is highly rated in Tripadvisor and closer to the French Quarter. Remember, there is a trolley that runs from the station. It's like $0.70 for seniors if you qualify. It runs within 2 blocks of the Quality Inn but if you miss it, the walk is not bad (2 overweight seniors did it a few times). We never felt unsafe. Last trip was in 2014 - Crescent from Atlanta to El Paso on SL and return.

There are also plenty of taxis.

 

[Arcturus]

I can't speak for New Orleans, but yes, you can get off at DC to watch the engine change. However, head the warnings. They have been known to leave without passengers. Since WAS and points north are "discharge only" it can leave without much warning.

Have you ever been left? My experience in a bunch or engine changes on the Crescent has been that the engine change is so obvious when it is complete that you can't miss it if you are on the platform. Also, the car attendants will remind you to get back on the train. The only chance of missing the train is when you leave the platform.

Thanks so much for the info I got a room at the Holiday Inn down the street just in case.

We usually stay overnight at the Quality Inn which is highly rated in Tripadvisor and closer to the French Quarter. Remember, there is a trolley that runs from the station. It's like $0.70 for seniors if you qualify. It runs within 2 blocks of the Quality Inn but if you miss it, the walk is not bad (2 overweight seniors did it a few times). We never felt unsafe. Last trip was in 2014 - Crescent from Atlanta to El Paso on SL and return.
There are also plenty of taxis.

I don't qualify for the senior fare still a bit off from that. Usually when I go to New Orleans I stay at the Best Western St Christopher. But I figured the holiday Inn is close the station and I know early in the morning the street car isn't running yet and the taxis in New Orleans are very unreliable in my experience and with a freshly repaired knee I wanted to be in a place I wouldn't have to walk too far

 

[dlagrua]

With so many comfortable and affordable places to stay in NOL; I would not stay at Union Station overnight. Even if you are in the Magnolia room for sleeper passengers, it is still not a bedroom and the only running water is in the bathroom. Taxi cabs can usually be found outside and a trip to the French Quarter or to Canal street is usually about $12.

As for the stop overs at WAS, it can typically take 30-45 minutes. We usually go inside the station to grab a drink at Starbuck's and stretch our legs but if the train arrives late all bets are off. Amtrak must stick to the scheduled departure time and if the train is off schedule the engine change may be done quckly. Best to check with the conductor or SCA before entering the terminal.

 

[Hal]

As for the stop overs at WAS, it can typically take 30-45 minutes. We usually go inside the station to grab a drink at Starbuck's and stretch our legs but if the train arrives late all bets are off. Amtrak must stick to the scheduled departure time and if the train is off schedule the engine change may be done quckly. Best to check with the conductor or SCA before entering the terminal.

Coming from New Orleans, Washington is a D stop. Which means they can leave when the Blue Lights come down. Even if that is before the scheduled departure time. So passengers who go upstairs are in their own and have been left behind. I advise not going upstairs into the station.
Those on the platform either getting fresh air, smoking, watching the engine change are not going to be left behind. The crew will tell them to get back on.

 

[Bob Dylan]

The walk from the Holiday Inn Superdome to Union Station is about Eight Long Blocks. Its usually humid and the sidewalks are in bad shape.

Although the traffic isn't heavy that time of morning, you do have to cross Loyola St. which is a major traffic artery and the drivers in NOL take no prisoners!

The front desk clerk will call you a cab, allow 20 minutes slack for the 5 minute ride, It will cost you $10 and is worth it IMO. You want to be @ Union Station 45 minutes before Departure if you're checking Luggage!(ie 6:15am for the 7:00am #20 Departure)

 

[Hytec]

Ten years ago, I returned to my sleeper one car back from the engines before the change was complete and found the vestibule door was shut. Fortunately I was able to hike up and reach the door handle, but a shorter person would not have been able (I'm 6'2"). The SCA appeared after I opened the door and was about to climb in. He was irritated and said I should not have left the car. He knew this was BS and was just being lazy, one of many times during that trip from NOL, causing him to NOT get a tip. BTW, he was the only lazy negative SCA I experienced for more than a dozen trips on 19/20. The rest were cheerful, friendly, and helpful.

 

[Chey]

Thanks so much for the info I got a room at the Holiday Inn down the street just in case.

I stayed there last month, they were really nice and Mr Dylan's correct, it's a lot more comfortable than the station. More expensive too!