Eastbound CL

[ALC Rail Writer]

The Westbound CL arrives mid-morning in CHI if on time. This sounds about right... but why is it not the same for the Westbound? Early-afternoon doesn't seem like such a logical time for a LD train to arrive.

 

[the_traveler]

The Westbound CL arrives mid-morning in CHI if on time. This sounds about right... but why is it not the same for the Westbound? Early-afternoon doesn't seem like such a logical time for a LD train to arrive.

If you're talking about an early afternoon arrival into WAS - it makes good sense. The eastbound CL is used by many people to connect from the midwest/west to the SM and/or the Crescent, and with the eastbound CL arriving early afternoon and the SM and Crescent departing in the afternoon/evening - it is logical. (Now that's something you don't hear said about Amtrak too often! :lol: )

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

The Westbound CL arrives mid-morning in CHI if on time. This sounds about right... but why is it not the same for the Westbound? Early-afternoon doesn't seem like such a logical time for a LD train to arrive.

If you're talking about an early afternoon arrival into WAS - it makes good sense. The eastbound CL is used by many people to connect from the midwest/west to the SM and/or the Crescent, and with the eastbound CL arriving early afternoon and the SM and Crescent departing in the afternoon/evening - it is logical. (Now that's something you don't hear said about Amtrak too often! :lol: )

I suppose... I guess its a matter with trains-- no matter how often you tweak the schedule somebody will always complain!

 

[Kramerica]

It is really more about when the train departs Chicago than when it arrives in DC. Chicago is the main central hub connecting western and eastern trains. The western trains arrive in the afternoon, so then the eastern trains all depart in the evening so the connection can be made. And an evening departure from Chicago means an afternoon arrival on the east coast.

 

[the_traveler]

It is really more about when the train departs Chicago than when it arrives in DC. Chicago is the main central hub connecting western and eastern trains. The western trains arrive in the afternoon, so then the eastern trains all depart in the evening so the connection can be made. And an evening departure from Chicago means an afternoon arrival on the east coast.

A little of both. True, the CL departs CHI in the evening and arrives WAS early afternoon. But the Cardinal departs CHI late afternoon but does not get to WAS or NYP until evening. And the LSL departs CHI in the evening but does not get to NYP or BOS until evening!

 

[JAChooChoo]

The Westbound CL arrives mid-morning in CHI if on time. This sounds about right... but why is it not the same for the Westbound? Early-afternoon doesn't seem like such a logical time for a LD train to arrive.

It also lets 29 & 30 satisfy the WAS-PGH & PGH-CHI markets.