How do people know in advance which track Amtrak will use?

[Kyle]

I was travelling from Philly to DC on a NE Regional and the minute our train location was publicly announced on the screen, there was already a very significant long line that had formed at our stairwell.

I'm just curious, how did they know ahead of time the train would be there?

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Some people have scanners, some ride enough to know that their train is most likely going to arrive on track such and such.

 

[Guest]

And some people just see the line forming, and go stand in it.

 

[Acela150]

Regionals and Acela trains usually use stairway 5 going south. It's well known around here.

 

[chakk]

And if you are traveling in a group, put one member of your party at each stairwell before the announcement and you won't go wrong.

 

[Acela150]

And if you are traveling in a group, put one member of your party at each stairwell before the announcement and you won't go wrong.

If you have a group it would make sense to ask to use the elevator for a preboard at PHL. When the AU gathering was here we did that.

 

[manchacrr]

Another idea: watch the arrivals board, the track # will almost always be posted there long before it is posted on the Departures board.