I’m currently taking my first amtrak ride on 449 Boston to Chicago and was notified 3 hours before departure that I was involuntarily downgraded from the roomette I booked to coach. Is it common for 449 to run without a sleeper car
Lake Shore Limited discussion 2023 Q4 - 2025
- Thread starter pennyk
- Start date
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Unfortunately, losing a sleeper is pretty common on 449. Did you check to see if a sleeper was available on 49 from Albany to Chicago? If so, you could try calling Amtrak and seeing if they will give it to you at a similar price to what you paid for 449. If the person that answers the phone won't do it, thank them politely, hang up, and then call back and ask to speak to Customer Relations. They have a bit more creativity.
If you found this topic, scroll back and read how the exact thing happened to me but on 448 from Chicago to Boston. I had to escalate the issue on the platform to get it changed, but fortunately I had some help from a sleeping car attendant that knew me.
If you find a 49 sleeper, let us know what Amtrak does.
And by the way, if you do get your sleeper, be sure and visit the Amtrak lounge in Boston. The snacks and drinks are pretty limited but the room is very comfortable and has some incredible large photos on the walls. Well worth arriving half an hour early for.
Unfortunately, losing a sleeper is pretty common on 449. Did you check to see if a sleeper was available on 49 from Albany to Chicago? If so, you could try calling Amtrak and seeing if they will give it to you at a similar price to what you paid for 449. If the person that answers the phone won't do it, thank them politely, hang up, and then call back and ask to speak to Customer Relations. They have a bit more creativity.
If you found this topic, scroll back and read how the exact thing happened to me but on 448 from Chicago to Boston. I had to escalate the issue on the platform to get it changed, but fortunately I had some help from a sleeping car attendant that knew me.
If you find a 49 sleeper, let us know what Amtrak does.
And by the way, if you do get your sleeper, be sure and visit the Amtrak lounge in Boston. The snacks and drinks are pretty limited but the room is very comfortable and has some incredible large photos on the walls. Well worth arriving half an hour early for.
Just re-read your post and see that you are already on the train. You could try talking to the conductor but don't be surprised if they don't want to deal with it. You probably will have better luck on the phone. You could also try talking to the ticket agents in the Albany station, I've found them to be particularly friendly and useful. You have plenty of time to visit the station at Albany while they rearrange the train.
I just checked, and there is at least one roomette available on today's train from Albany to Chicago, so that's the first step. Good luck with getting someone to help you with the change.
(And since you are new to AU, the titles under our names are just honorary based on how many posts you've made. I'm not a real conductor!)
I just checked, and there is at least one roomette available on today's train from Albany to Chicago, so that's the first step. Good luck with getting someone to help you with the change.
(And since you are new to AU, the titles under our names are just honorary based on how many posts you've made. I'm not a real conductor!)
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Thanks for the info! I was able to get a room when the train reaches Albany and connects with 49 and given a $50 refund for the inconvenience
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Bostontoallpoints
Service Attendant
This happened to me. When I got to the first class lounge at South Station the attendant was able to book me into a roomette after Albany.
Yay! Enjoy dinner in the dining car, even if it is the notorious Amtrak flex meal. At least you get a free drink.
If you don't already know, you are allowed to bring your own alcohol on board to drink inside your room. If you are short of supplies, they have takeaway beer and wine in the cafe in the Albany station. Another reason to get out and stretch your legs.
If you don't already know, you are allowed to bring your own alcohol on board to drink inside your room. If you are short of supplies, they have takeaway beer and wine in the cafe in the Albany station. Another reason to get out and stretch your legs.
Impressive. I knew the Boston lounge people were Amtrak employees, but didn't know they could do that.
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My numbers on the Horizon dinettes are a bit different. There were ten full dinettes when Horizon Fleet was built, and I believe six of them were converted to club-dinettes. 58100, 58103, 58104, 58106, 58107 and 58108. We have 58103, 58106, 58107 and 58108 in Amtrak Cascades service now here in the Seattle area. The three full dinettes once leased to California, one of which was actually converted to full dinette from its earlier club-dinette configuration and re-numbered from 58001 to 53510 I believe, apparently remain stored at Beech Grove, despite rumors they would be returning to California.
caravanman
Engineer
Just exploring potential dates in April for a flight to Boston to kick off my rail pass jaunt. I notice yet again that the Boston to Albany train is replaced by a bus, as it was when I visited in September. Anyone know the exact dates in April that the train is cancelled?
