difference between classes

[dark_raider]

What is the difference between booking Couch class and Buissness class? Do they treat u differently are ur seats different or something.?? I havent gone on a train and I am planning to soon. I just want to know the difference.

 

[jccollins]

It really just depends on the route you'll be treveling on. In general the seats are wider (sometimes a 2 to 1 ratio across the aisle instead of 2 to 2) and further distance between the rows of seats for more legroom. Complimentary newspapers and snacks or beverages are usually also a part of the service. Each route is a little different, though.

 

[jigglypuffy]

It really just depends on the route you'll be treveling on. In general the seats are wider (sometimes a 2 to 1 ratio across the aisle instead of 2 to 2) and further distance between the rows of seats for more legroom. Complimentary newspapers and snacks or beverages are usually also a part of the service. Each route is a little different, though.

i agree. also because there are less people in car i feel that its less likelihood that someone will be so painfully annoying that it will ruin the trip for everyone in the car.

also one some cars there is more space between one row of seats and the one behind it (in others they use a refashioned coach car) so if there is a kid behind you hes not going to be reach and kick your seat in and make your life a pain.

 

[Guest_daveyb99]

I agree with the less annoying people because there is an additional cost for Business which most will not pay, especially families with smaller children.

The Cascades Vancouver-Seattle was nice. Got a discount on the diner, and a coupon for the cafe. Other than that, 2-1 seating versus 2-2 seating, usually a seperate restroom facility, staff who chase off unsuspecting visitors (!!!!) and a little more quiet.

The 5-hour trip was $16 more per person, something I was HAPPY to pay......

 

[battalion51]

Do be aware though, on some of the Northeast Corridor routes the Business Class may just be a 60 seat Amfleet I with 2-2 seating (similar to an Amfleet II). Most Amfleet I's have 84 or 72 seats so there is a bit more leg room, but they are 2-2. Now some corridor routes like the Vermonter and Federal (66/67 whatever you want to call it) do have 2-1 seating.

 

[dark_raider]

Well I'll be going from Boston to New York.

 

[Guest]

well from boston to nyc whats a bussiness class upgrade like $15?? i would do it without question.

 

[AKA]

Just did BOS - WAS on 10 Dec. on #67 in coach. Would not do that again. I think they put on a 124 seat car. It was tight to say the least. Go for B/C. Even if its 2x2 seating it has to be Better than coach on #67. I am just 6 foot and I was in much discomfort.

 

[battalion51]

Didn't know they made 124 seat coaches. :huh: :unsure:

 

[AmtrakFan]

Didn't know they made 124 seat coaches. :huh: :unsure:

Maybe he's thinking of an 84 seat but I don't think Amtrak has a 124 Seat Coaches.

 

[AmtrakWPK]

Actually, I kind of liked the idea of couch class. Seems that would be really comfortable. Much more so than coach.

 

[AKA]

124 seat coach was a joke. It sure seemed like a 124 seat coach.

 

[rail sale]

The last time I took business class (chicago to detroit). It was probably worse than coach. With only a few seats to choose from it was actually more crowded. And in that direction you are the first car behind the locomotive so you get the full effect of the horn at every grade crossing.

but the experience is probably completely different on the east coast.

 

[Sam Damon]

The last time I took business class (chicago to detroit). It was probably worse than coach. With only a few seats to choose from it was actually more crowded. And in that direction you are the first car behind the locomotive so you get the full effect of the horn at every grade crossing.
but the experience is probably completely different on the east coast.

#43 has the cafe car 'bringing up the markers.' Business class seating is at the end of the train.

On my recent trip, business class on #43 was sold out. For a while, IIRC, Amtrak or PennDOT had leased a larger parlor car to serve as the business class car. One must wonder if Amtrak might be able to increase their premium class numbers if they had the equipment to do so.

 

[battalion51]

But the lounge does lead for the corridor portion of the trip, since the electric has to go onto the opposite end of the train from the diesel since 30th Street is south of the Harrisburg Line and Zoo Interlocking.

 

[Trogdor]

For a while, IIRC, Amtrak or PennDOT had leased a larger parlor car to serve as the business class car. One must wonder if Amtrak might be able to increase their premium class numbers if they had the equipment to do so.

Could you be thinking of the Piedmont, or was there actually a special car for the Pennsylvanian?

 

[Sam Damon]

But the lounge does lead for the corridor portion of the trip, since the electric has to go onto the opposite end of the train from the diesel since 30th Street is south of the Harrisburg Line and Zoo Interlocking.

Yes, you're right. The lounge leads from NYP-PHL, and then is at the end of the train from PHL-PGH. My bad.

I've just never ridden to or from NYP on #42/44 or #43. Perhaps when the Keystone Corridor upgrades are complete, Amtrak will swap engines at Harrisburg, but there is that Zoo Interlocking bit...

 

[Sam Damon]

For a while, IIRC, Amtrak or PennDOT had leased a larger parlor car to serve as the business class car.  One must wonder if Amtrak might be able to increase their premium class numbers if they had the equipment to do so.

Could you be thinking of the Piedmont, or was there actually a special car for the Pennsylvanian?

I recall reading about it somewhere; just don't recall where or when.

I'll have to do some digging and see if I can reference it a bit better. It's still encouraging to hear a passenger tell me he was downgraded to coach because business class was oversold.

BTW, the conductor let him ride for half fare, and refunded the difference between business class and coach (he had paid cash for his ticket) on the spot. Or so he told me. I saw the conductor on this particular run at HAR, and didn't see him again until GNB. He wasn't exactly prowling the coaches -- he made the AC do that. I would have liked to verify this man's tale with him, but I really was being My Kids' Dad on this trip, as opposed to Intrepid Journalist.

 

[battalion51]

I'm not sure about the Pennsylvanians line, but on some lines DTC blocking is in effect, so the Conductor has to be on the head end to copy blocks if there's no fireman. Just a possibility.