EB to CL Advice on worst case scenario missed connection and luggage

[erinch13]

On the 23rd we will catch the Empire Builder in Whitefish, then connect in CHI for Capitol Limited to WAS, then NEC to Philly and Keystone on home to Lancaster PA.

With the EB current late streak, the 2 hr 45 minute layover in CHI is tight.

If we miss the CL altogether, will we miss our bedroom if we have to go out the next day? How is that handled.

If we do make the connection, and the luggage doesn't, what luggage retrieval options are there?

The plan is to collect the luggage in DC. And hand carry on home. Would they get it al the way to LNC? Would they send to Philly? Would we have to go back to D.C.?

Thanks!

Erin C-H

 

[Bob Dylan]

Have you considered getting off the Cap in Pittsburgh and riding the Pennsy to Lancaster?

The calling time is lousy in PGH, but you only have to make one transfer, and you'll be home earlier and it may save you some $$$ too!

 

[erinch13]

We like the extra time on the CL to enjoy a full nights sleep. Used to live near Pittsburgh, so don't need to see that station again!

 

[ehbowen]

On the 23rd we will catch the Empire Builder in Whitefish, then connect in CHI for Capitol Limited to WAS, then NEC to Philly and Keystone on home to Lancaster PA.

With the EB current late streak, the 2 hr 45 minute layover in CHI is tight.

If we miss the CL altogether, will we miss our bedroom if we have to go out the next day? How is that handled.

If we do make the connection, and the luggage doesn't, what luggage retrieval options are there?

The plan is to collect the luggage in DC. And hand carry on home. Would they get it al the way to LNC? Would they send to Philly? Would we have to go back to D.C.?

Thanks!

Erin C-H

Your best option, IMHO, is to work in an overnight layover in Chicago.

If you don't, Amtrak will try to get you on your connecting Capitol Limited. That may mean a bus bridge from a station west of to a station east of Chicago. They're pretty good about making sure your luggage makes it with you. But, if they don't, you will almost certainly have to go back to Washington the next day. There's a reason the agent asks your "final destination." If you short-check your bags because your real final destination doesn't have baggage service, then, generally, if something goes wrong, it's on you.

 

[Railroad Bill]

Since you are coming off the Empire Builder there are fewer options for a bus bridge to catch the CL.. If you are on the CZ or SWC, they sometimes start a bus from Galesburg, IL to travel across to Toledo. But not that likely to make a connection off the EB.

Advice to schedule a layover night in Chicago or the vicinity would make sense. You are also not guaranteed to have your sleeper on the next day's Cap if the rooms are already taken by the regular passengers. Another reason to consider overnighting in Chicago. Check to see if there are still sleepers on the next day's Cap and consider going the next day.

As Cleveland station users, we have another option to take the later Lake Shore but in your case that is not really a viable option.

 

[erinch13]

No sleepers on the next day Cap. So I think we stick it out and see what happens.

What do you know about delayed luggage if we make the connection but the luggage doesn't?

 

[ehbowen]

No sleepers on the next day Cap. So I think we stick it out and see what happens.

What do you know about delayed luggage if we make the connection but the luggage doesn't?

Keep trying. Preferably every morning. There may be a cancelation.

 

[Philly Amtrak Fan]

If you miss the CL, you could take the LSL to NYP and then a Keystone back to Lancaster but I don't think there is any trains between the two cities that leaves NYP the same day and at least two hours after the eastbound arrival in NYP and if there is you will be lucky to make it back to Lancaster by midnight.

 

[Train2104]

If you make the LSL they'll probably put you on that to NYP, then Regional 187 to Philly for Keystone 619, with a scheduled Lancaster arrival of 00:06 the next morning. Amtrak doesn't care about calling times, so long as they get you to your destination.

Your bags would probably be rerouted to NYP where you'd have to collect them.

 

[SarahZ]

No sleepers on the next day Cap. So I think we stick it out and see what happens.

What do you know about delayed luggage if we make the connection but the luggage doesn't?

Keep trying. Preferably every morning. There may be a cancelation.

I second this. I've seen rooms open up mere hours before departure.