Guaranteed connection with close connections

[davestor]

I'm a long time rail enthusiast, but haven't ridden in years. I'm planning a trip to FL in January, and have found that the online reservation system forces some close connections, and won't allow alternatives. Bearing in mind that Amtrak trains are frequently late, I'm nervous about this, but was told over the phone that other alternatives are not guaranteed connections, so if I strike out on my own for the first leg of the trip and then miss a connection, Amtrak won't offer alternative solutions (probably unsatisfactory ones) like it will with guaranteed connections. Specifically, I want to leave Springield, MA on a Sunday in January and connect with the Silver Meteor for a trip to Winter Haven, FL, and return by the same routing 13 days later. The online system has me leaving SPG at 10:30 a.m. on the 401 Shuttle, switching to the Northeast Regional 161 at New Haven, but with only 11 minutes connection time, and reaching NYC at 1:50 p.m., with 75 minutes connection time for the 97 Silver Meteor which leaves at 3:15 p.m. There are earlier trains from SPG to NYC, for example, the 145 which leaves 8:55 a.m. and reaches NYC at 12:20 p.m., with the added benefit of no transfer required in New Haven, but it is not a guaranteed connection. I realize that nothing in life is absolutely certain, but can experienced riders give me opinions about the odds of these close connections working out? Would the Silver Meteor be held for a late departure from NYC if the Northeast Regional 161 does not arrive on time? Similar question for the 161 departure from New Haven if the 401 Shuttle is late?

 

[MrEd]

If you select 5am for your start time (instead of anytime), it should show the earlier train in

the online reservation system.

 

[the_traveler]

Number 1 - Yes the Meteor will be probably held for a time if the Regional is late. (It will be held if the Regional is like 15 minutes late, but may not if the Regional is like 5 hours late!) But I find that they arrive fairly much on time from Boston.

Number 2 - the connections between the Shuttle and Regional in New Haven is an across-the-platform transfer. (You do not even need to go into the station.) Either way, the Regional (or Shuttle the other way) will not depart until the other one arrives. (If one is 10 minutes late, the other departs 10 minutes late.)

And as MrEd suggested, try putting in a specific time.

 

[davestor]

If you select 5am for your start time (instead of anytime), it should show the earlier train in the online reservation system.

Thanks, but if I do that, it schedules me leaving SPG at 6:25 a.m., and connecting with the Silver Star which goes to Tampa and then backtracks to Winter Haven, not what I want. If I put 7 a.m. departure, it ignores earlier trains and schedules me as mentioned earlier.

 

[davestor]

Number 1 - Yes the Meteor will be probably held for a time if the Regional is late. (It will be held if the Regional is like 15 minutes late, but may not if the Regional is like 5 hours late!) But I find that they arrive fairly much on time from Boston.
Number 2 - the connections between the Shuttle and Regional in New Haven is an across-the-platform transfer. (You do not even need to go into the station.) Either way, the Regional (or Shuttle the other way) will not depart until the other one arrives. (If one is 10 minutes late, the other departs 10 minutes late.)

And as MrEd suggested, try putting in a specific time.

Thanks. That is the kind of info that I was seeking, about likelihood of making connections. Note my reply to Mr.Ed, however.\, about putting in specific times.

 

[Chi_Train_Fan]

I suggest you use the multi-city feature. You'll likely be able to get the trains you want.

Cheers,

David

 

[Chi_Train_Fan]

OK, Here's a quick example of booking the reservation as the OP would like:

Cheers,

David Z

 

[saxman]

I really wouldn't worry about connections in the Northeast Corridor. As said before, the transfer in New Haven is cross platform and the Regional to NYC will wait for your shuttle train, should it become a few minutes late. So I wouldn't worry about that connection. If you do want to take an earlier train to NYC, just use the multi-city option for the trains and times you want.

 

[DivMiler]

I suggest you use the multi-city feature. Those connectionsare also guaranteed.

No, multi-city-generated routings are not necessarily guaranteed.