Crescent from Hattiesburg to NY

[mobilemom52]

Hi,

Wishing to take a break from the utterly miserable experience that flying has become, I will be taking the Crescent from Hattiesburg MS to New York (and then heading on to Boston on the Northeast Regional). I am a middle-aged lady traveling alone (hubby has to fly in later, poor fella!) and am looking for any and all tips that you seasoned travelers might have.

I traveled on Amtrak to Boston once previously, boarding in Mobile, as we thought it would be a nice adventure for our young daughters. Unfortunately, it was not, at that time a very pleasant experience. My main recollection is of extremely dirty windows, a broken upper berth, and very mediocre food. What can I expect this time? I have a roomette in both directions (Room 001 in Car 2011 heading north; Room 003, Car 1911 heading back south.)

What about meals? May I take some in my room, should I choose? How accessible is the shower in the morning? I know about tipping any Red Caps (I travel pretty lightly and generally carry my own bag) and the room attendant, but is there anything else of which I should be aware? I understand that I may use the Acela Lounge in New York; as it's been nearly 10 years since I've been in Penn Station, where do I head when I exit the Crescent? (And where does the Crescent depart from, southbound, in relation to the Northeast Regional from Boston?)

Finally, with about 2 hours in each direction between trains, what are the chances that I will make my connection? It's the return trip that concerns me most; there are numerous other trains from New York to Boston but if I miss the Crescent out of NYP, my goose is cooked, I gather!

Thanks for any and all info and tips.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Hi,
Wishing to take a break from the utterly miserable experience that flying has become, I will be taking the Crescent from Hattiesburg MS to New York (and then heading on to Boston on the Northeast Regional). I am a middle-aged lady traveling alone (hubby has to fly in later, poor fella!) and am looking for any and all tips that you seasoned travelers might have.

I traveled on Amtrak to Boston once previously, boarding in Mobile, as we thought it would be a nice adventure for our young daughters. Unfortunately, it was not, at that time a very pleasant experience. My main recollection is of extremely dirty windows, a broken upper berth, and very mediocre food. What can I expect this time? I have a roomette in both directions (Room 001 in Car 2011 heading north; Room 003, Car 1911 heading back south.)

What about meals? May I take some in my room, should I choose? How accessible is the shower in the morning? I know about tipping any Red Caps (I travel pretty lightly and generally carry my own bag) and the room attendant, but is there anything else of which I should be aware? I understand that I may use the Acela Lounge in New York; as it's been nearly 10 years since I've been in Penn Station, where do I head when I exit the Crescent? (And where does the Crescent depart from, southbound, in relation to the Northeast Regional from Boston?)

Finally, with about 2 hours in each direction between trains, what are the chances that I will make my connection? It's the return trip that concerns me most; there are numerous other trains from New York to Boston but if I miss the Crescent out of NYP, my goose is cooked, I gather!

Thanks for any and all info and tips.

You should have a good trip, Viewliner sleepers (single level) are very good riders, even on the back of the train! Youll have a toliet and sink in your room,#1 and #3 are pretty good rooms, the SCA sleeps in the last room across the hall from the shower and across from the coffee and juice!The food is pretty good on this train, Amtrak has really been improving (look up the sample menus on amtrak.com if you havent seen them!)Also youll want to tip your wait person in the diner, or your SCA will bring them to your room if you want, eating in the diner is part of the adventure however! Shouldnt have to worry about your connections in NYP, since you have two hours you can go the Club Acela lounge, use a Redcap and youll have no problem going to/from the trains and finding them!The shower sometimes has towels etc. and or luggage stored in them but the SCA will gladly assist you, they work fine, good time to take your shower is late @ night or early in the AM before the regular hours rush!(Viewliner showers are easier to use than Superliners!)

Dont worry about the connections, shouldnt be any problem unless a major happening occurs, if it does NYP has pros that have seen everything and will take care of you! I suggest eating dinner before ATL since the train usually gets very full there and its a rush to feed everyone that gets on for WAS and NYP!On the way back breakfast will be after ATL stop, then lunch in Alabama around Birmingham, ask your SCA when you board! Dinner out of NYP will probably be early since WAS will again gain lots of passengers there! Sounds great, enjoy the ride and feel free to ask any questions, lots of experts here and the price is right, priceless! Also please share a trip report with us after your trip!

 

[Hytec]

I "commuted" on the Crescent between Slidell and Washington at least a dozen times before I retired, and my wife and I enjoyed a round trip from Hattiesburg to Washington last October. That said, I can add very little to what Jim has already told you. Though a few thoughts come to mind.

First, the shower is more convenient in the early morning before most folks wake up. The shower is small-ish with limited water supply, similar to a shower in a large RV or medium sized boat, so think conserving water. Also, the shower area is a two room configuration, the shower and a separate dressing area, all secured with a locking door to the hall.

Second, since you are concerned about timing in New York, consider changing trains in Washington. The Regionals run faster than the Crescent between WAS and NYP which would relieve some of the pressure with your arrival at BOS. Also the Crescent arrives in WAS in the morning and the Regionals run approximately once an hour, again giving you more options (and breathing room) should the Crescent be delayed.

Third, taking meals in the room is not a problem, and part of the Attendant's job, especially since it will mean more tips. Roomettes have tables that fold out from under the windows and are convenient for eating, working with a computer, or whatever else that you might want. Though I agree with Jim, the diner is a wonderful place to meet and talk with all sorts of folks.

Fourth, the Hattiesburg station and parking is very clean and convenient. The station attendant, an Amtrak employee, is knowledgable and quite helpful. The parking lot is directly in front of and across the access road from the station, is free, and most importantly, is one block from, and in full view of a Police Sub-Station manned 24/7. Though I would suggest using a car that is less desirable than a Lincoln or Cadillac......maybe a 20-year old pickup truck that looks like it's on its last legs.

One other thing...the lower berth is larger (slightly), more comfortable, and more convenient (especially in the middle of the night) than the upper.

Hope you have a great trip.

 

[Guest]

Hi,
Wishing to take a break from the utterly miserable experience that flying has become, I will be taking the Crescent from Hattiesburg MS to New York (and then heading on to Boston on the Northeast Regional). I am a middle-aged lady traveling alone (hubby has to fly in later, poor fella!) and am looking for any and all tips that you seasoned travelers might have.

I traveled on Amtrak to Boston once previously, boarding in Mobile, as we thought it would be a nice adventure for our young daughters. Unfortunately, it was not, at that time a very pleasant experience. My main recollection is of extremely dirty windows, a broken upper berth, and very mediocre food. What can I expect this time? I have a roomette in both directions (Room 001 in Car 2011 heading north; Room 003, Car 1911 heading back south.)

What about meals? May I take some in my room, should I choose? How accessible is the shower in the morning? I know about tipping any Red Caps (I travel pretty lightly and generally carry my own bag) and the room attendant, but is there anything else of which I should be aware? I understand that I may use the Acela Lounge in New York; as it's been nearly 10 years since I've been in Penn Station, where do I head when I exit the Crescent? (And where does the Crescent depart from, southbound, in relation to the Northeast Regional from Boston?)

Finally, with about 2 hours in each direction between trains, what are the chances that I will make my connection? It's the return trip that concerns me most; there are numerous other trains from New York to Boston but if I miss the Crescent out of NYP, my goose is cooked, I gather!

Thanks for any and all info and tips.

You should have a good trip, Viewliner sleepers (single level) are very good riders, even on the back of the train! Youll have a toliet and sink in your room,#1 and #3 are pretty good rooms, the SCA sleeps in the last room across the hall from the shower and across from the coffee and juice!The food is pretty good on this train, Amtrak has really been improving (look up the sample menus on amtrak.com if you havent seen them!)Also youll want to tip your wait person in the diner, or your SCA will bring them to your room if you want, eating in the diner is part of the adventure however! Shouldnt have to worry about your connections in NYP, since you have two hours you can go the Club Acela lounge, use a Redcap and youll have no problem going to/from the trains and finding them!The shower sometimes has towels etc. and or luggage stored in them but the SCA will gladly assist you, they work fine, good time to take your shower is late @ night or early in the AM before the regular hours rush!(Viewliner showers are easier to use than Superliners!)

Dont worry about the connections, shouldnt be any problem unless a major happening occurs, if it does NYP has pros that have seen everything and will take care of you! I suggest eating dinner before ATL since the train usually gets very full there and its a rush to feed everyone that gets on for WAS and NYP!On the way back breakfast will be after ATL stop, then lunch in Alabama around Birmingham, ask your SCA when you board! Dinner out of NYP will probably be early since WAS will again gain lots of passengers there! Sounds great, enjoy the ride and feel free to ask any questions, lots of experts here and the price is right, priceless! Also please share a trip report with us after your trip!

When headed south On the Crescent you can eat before ATL. I think they open it at 6:30 and the train doesn't get into ATL until 8 something. I've never had issues with getting breakfast before ATL if you are an early riser.

 

[mobilemom52]

I knew I'd come to the right place to ask questions!!! Thank you all; this is so very helpfull.

Fourth, the Hattiesburg station and parking is very clean and convenient. The station attendant, an Amtrak employee, is knowledgable and quite helpful. The parking lot is directly in front of and across the access road from the station, is free, and most importantly, is one block from, and in full view of a Police Sub-Station manned 24/7. Though I would suggest using a car that is less desirable than a Lincoln or Cadillac......maybe a 20-year old pickup truck that looks like it's on its last legs.

I had been wondering about the parking situation. Though my daughter attended the Univ. of Southern Mississippi for a while, we were never in downtown Hattiesburg. This is especially important information for me, as I will, indeed, be leaving my car (my trusty, dependable, no longer remotely glamorous little 1996 Mercedes) in the parking lot for a week. Delighted to hear about the police station! Although the car's horn is so anemic and squeaky as to be embarrassing, the alarm on it is ear-splitting and relentless, loud enough to arouse the police and deafen anyone trying to steal it, I hope!

Interesting info re: the regional trains vis a vis Washington. At this late date (I head to Hattiesburg tomorrow), and with tickets in hand, I think I shall leave things as they are and simply pray hard that the regional from Boston makes it to NYP on time. (Though I might see if there is an earlier regional out of Boston...) Food for thought.

I will surely do a trip report; I feel it will be more positive than our last Amtrak experience!

Again, thanks to all for your invaluable information.

 

[Guest]

Things are still the same. The interior of the cars are still not maintained as they should and the diner is still nothing to write home about.

 

[Hytec]

Interesting info re: the regional trains vis a vis Washington. At this late date (I head to Hattiesburg tomorrow), and with tickets in hand, I think I shall leave things as they are and simply pray hard that the regional from Boston makes it to NYP on time. (Though I might see if there is an earlier regional out of Boston...) Food for thought.

The 8:15 Regional or 9:15 Acela out of BOS (South Station) should get you into NYP with plenty of time to spare for the Crescent's 2:15 departure.

Have fun.....

 

[mobilemom52]

The 8:15 Regional or 9:15 Acela out of BOS (South Station) should get you into NYP with plenty of time to spare for the Crescent's 2:15 departure.
Have fun.....

I'm ticketed on the 8:15 Regional; glad to know it should be OK, barring something unforeseen.