Lake Shore Limited discussion

[BlackDiamond]

Annual CSX trackwork shuffle on the B&A. Typically do daytime track curfews M-Th which precludes 448/449 from operating - usually finishing early on Thursdays. Usually 448 runs Thursdays - Saturday, 449 Friday - Sunday during this period - other frequencies bussed. My best advise to anyone anytime booking in the May - June timeframe on 448/449 would be to travel on those days if they want to avoid bussing even way out as this is pretty much an annual affair. The actual dates vary but it always happens this time of year.

I wonder what happens with meals in this case (449 lunch, 448 dinner). Do they provide boxed meals to the sleeper passengers on the bus? Or is it "tough luck, better bring snacks"?

 

[user 14106]

I wonder what happens with meals in this case (449 lunch, 448 dinner). Do they provide boxed meals to the sleeper passengers on the bus? Or is it "tough luck, better bring snacks"?

You get a partial refund on the sleeper accommodation between Boston and Albany.

 

[jis]

You get a partial refund on the sleeper accommodation between Boston and Albany.

It is like any bustitution. Once we were bustituted between Albany and Buffalo because CSX had managed to spill one of its freight trains across the entire roadbed and then some. We were transported from NYP to ALB on a special makeup section which consisted of an Empire Service consist, and then bussed from there to Buffalo Depew, where we finally got on a real Lake Shore Limited. We got a refund for the Sleeper charges for the NYP to Buffalo segment and we got to get our own food at ALB, which fortunately has very reasonable food available at the station, which the usual cluster that prevails in boarding Buses at Albany ensued.

 

[mitako]

On trainorders.com, an observer noted the Lake Shore Limited departing Chicago on Saturday, May 13 had the following odd consist:

Two P42 locomotives; Boston sleeper; Boston Amfleet cafe car; Boston Amfleet coach; Horizon coach (destination unclear); another Amfleet cafe car, presumably to NYP; NYP Amfleet coach; NYP diner, 2xNYP sleepers; and baggage car.

Anyone have any insights to add?

Hubby and I were on that train in the Boston sleeper. Our first time on a Viewliner. Man, that was a bumpy ride all the way to Boston. I don't remember the specific consist, but do remember that once the NY cars were added, we walked through several coach cars to reach the cafe/diner, so I guess the NY cars including cafe/diner get added to the back of the train.

 

[Mailliw]

It is like any bustitution. Once we were bustituted between Albany and Buffalo because CSX had managed to spill one of its freight trains across the entire roadbed and then some. We were transported from NYP to ALB on a special makeup section which consisted of an Empire Service consist, and then bussed from there to Buffalo Depew, where we finally got on a real Lake Shore Limited. We got a refund for the Sleeper charges for the NYP to Buffalo segment and we got to get our own food at ALB, which fortunately has very reasonable food available at the station, which the usual cluster that prevails in boarding Buses at Albany ensued.

Always visit the cafe at Albany-Rensselaer during the engine change, the food is  much better than the flex meals or cafe offering.

 

[blueman271]

On 449 today from Boston to Albany. Train is running but the sleeper is bad ordered and deadheading to at least Albany. Also it is a V1 for anyone interested in that sort of thing.

 

[Lonestar2804]

So I was talking to some crew last week about the LSL having 2 VL1's on the NY section and they said the current rumor is that the LSL is preparing for a 3rd sleeper on the NY section and the VLII will get placed there.

I'm not sure why they'd put 2 VL1's back to back in anticipation of a 3rd sleeper, but that's the best information I could get from someone who works there.

I can confirm the third sleeper for late June/early July. I just booked a ticket for mid July on 48, and my initial room was in 4810. I called to move to 4812 in my best shot at a viewliner II, but it definitely means the third sleeper is coming.

 

[Bonser]

I can confirm the third sleeper for late June/early July. I just booked a ticket for mid July on 48, and my initial room was in 4810. I called to move to 4812 in my best shot at a viewliner II, but it definitely means the third sleeper is coming.

I was on 48 in car 4811 on June 2-3 and it was a Viewliner II. I was expecting a Viewliner I and so was pleasantly surprised.

 

[Lonestar2804]

I was on 48 in car 4811 on June 2-3 and it was a Viewliner II. I was expecting a Viewliner I and so was pleasantly surprised.

Interesting. I’m hoping that they stick with the plan of 4810-11 being V1s (of course with some potential rotation), while 4812 is planned as a V2. I guess only time will tell.

 

[jis]

Interesting. I’m hoping that they stick with the plan of 4810-11 being V1s (of course with some potential rotation), while 4812 is planned as a V2. I guess only time will tell.

We don't know that 4812 will be a V2. All that we know is there will be 2 V1s and 1 V2 in the New York section. I have not seen any credible information on what the car order will be in the consist yet.

 

[Lonestar2804]

We don't know that 4812 will be a V2. All that we know is there will be 2 V1s and 1 V2 in the New York section. I have not seen any credible information on what the car order will be in the consist yet.

I haven’t seen anything either, but with the current setup being two V1s, I can only imagine that 4812 will be a V2. Plus I believe 12 has traditionally been a V2, though there’s no guarantee. I’ll probably send a message in here as we get closer to my departure date to check if there’s any word on 4812.

 

[dromio515]

Does anyone know the dimensions of the cubby across from the top bunk in the Viewliner roomette?
Thanks

 

[Rasputin]

Does anyone know the dimensions of the cubby across from the top bunk in the Viewliner roomette?
Thanks

Here is what I posted on June 8, 2022 as the dimensions for a Viewliner 1. As far as I know, the question about whether the dimensions are the same for a Viewliner 2 has never been answered (and I have yet to travel on a V2 with my measuring tape):

I posted these dimensions a few years ago after using a tape measure on a trip in a Viewliner I sleeper roomette. I wanted to know for future reference if some of my luggage would fit in the over the aisle storage bin or not. The information provided by Amtrak is not very precise.

Here is what I posted then:
"The overhead storage bin in a Viewliner roomette is 21 inches deep, 16 inches tall and 35 and half inches wide so you can measure your luggage and compare the measurements to this space. There is a raised rim at the opening which is one or two inches tall and there is a railing at the opening to hold the luggage in place.

Note that in order to place luggage into the storage bin, the luggage has to clear a protruding light fixture and the railing mentioned above and this clearance is a little over 12 inches. So although the storage bin is 16 inches tall, a suitcase with rigid sides much over 12 inches thick would not fit into the bin because you wouldn't be able to get it through the opening."

Has anyone taken a tape measure on a trip on a Viewliner II sleeper and can confirm whether those dimensions are the same as on a Viewliner I or if they have changed? I intend to do so on my next trip but that may not be for a while.
Thanks.

 

[jis]

I haven’t seen anything either, but with the current setup being two V1s, I can only imagine that 4812 will be a V2. Plus I believe 12 has traditionally been a V2, though there’s no guarantee. I’ll probably send a message in here as we get closer to my departure date to check if there’s any word on 4812.

12 in the Meteor has been a V2 when it carried 2 V2s and 1 V1, which is not what is planned for the LSL. So I am dubious about the logic of thinking 12 will be a V2 on the LSL because it is in the Meteor with three Sleepers. But of course anything is possible.

 

[Lonestar2804]

12 in the Meteor has been a V2 when it carried 2 V2s and 1 V1, which is not what is planned for the LSL. So I am dubious about the logic of thinking 12 will be a V2 on the LSL because it is in the Meteor with three Sleepers. But of course anything is possible.

I was more basing it on the mentions I saw in this thread of 12 being a V2. Once we get close to my actual departure date, I'll send another message in here to see if anyone knows anything more about what's going on. Might be too late by then to change to another car, but Amtrak customer service is usually very acomodating.

 

[joelkfla]

I was more basing it on the mentions I saw in this thread of 12 being a V2. Once we get close to my actual departure date, I'll send another message in here to see if anyone knows anything more about what's going on. Might be too late by then to change to another car, but Amtrak customer service is usually very acomodating.

After the 3rd sleeper is added (presumably around 6/26), it will be easy to see what's what on the Elkhart, IN railcam.

 

[dromio515]

Here is what I posted on June 8, 2022 as the dimensions for a Viewliner 1. As far as I know, the question about whether the dimensions are the same for a Viewliner 2 has never been answered (and I have yet to travel on a V2 with my measuring tape):

I posted these dimensions a few years ago after using a tape measure on a trip in a Viewliner I sleeper roomette. I wanted to know for future reference if some of my luggage would fit in the over the aisle storage bin or not. The information provided by Amtrak is not very precise.

Here is what I posted then:
"The overhead storage bin in a Viewliner roomette is 21 inches deep, 16 inches tall and 35 and half inches wide so you can measure your luggage and compare the measurements to this space. There is a raised rim at the opening which is one or two inches tall and there is a railing at the opening to hold the luggage in place.

Note that in order to place luggage into the storage bin, the luggage has to clear a protruding light fixture and the railing mentioned above and this clearance is a little over 12 inches. So although the storage bin is 16 inches tall, a suitcase with rigid sides much over 12 inches thick would not fit into the bin because you wouldn't be able to get it through the opening."

Has anyone taken a tape measure on a trip on a Viewliner II sleeper and can confirm whether those dimensions are the same as on a Viewliner I or if they have changed? I intend to do so on my next trip but that may not be for a while.
Thanks.

Thank you! that is very helpful.

 

[Rasputin]

Thank you! that is very helpful.

I am glad that that helped. This is often especially important for the Boston section since it has no checked baggage. If your luggage will not fit into the cubby hole, the attendant will usually place it willy-nilly into the outer shower room or in a vacant roomette but if the Boston sleeper is sold out, then there is no vacant roomette for luggage storage. In the past the attendant has often also stored excess luggage in the business class car but since there is no longer any business class, that is not an option. Corrections about the current procedure would be welcome.

 

[B&Ofan]

I remember I used to be able to be able to book the LSL from Boston west via NYP which gave you sometime in the city during your trip. However they have closed that loophole at least on the web reservation system. My question is I would like to take my bicycle on the LSL and the Boston section does not allow this. Would I be able to book via NYP on the phone. I know I could just buy as separate segment, however, that seems more expensive then what a connection should be. Also I would like to book it that way in case there is an issue with my train to NYP and my connection is missed.

Does anyone know if this is possible via an agent? Thanks in advance.

 

[zephyr17]

I remember I used to be able to be able to book the LSL from Boston west via NYP which gave you sometime in the city during your trip. However they have closed that loophole at least on the web reservation system. My question is I would like to take my bicycle on the LSL and the Boston section does not allow this. Would I be able to book via NYP on the phone. I know I could just buy as separate segment, however, that seems more expensive then what a connection should be. Also I would like to book it that way in case there is an issue with my train to NYP and my connection is missed.

Does anyone know if this is possible via an agent? Thanks in advance.

Book using the website's Multi-City option with two segments, BOS-NYP and NYP-CHI. Best to leave at least 120 minutes between trains at NYP, the LD/Northeast Corridor connection guideline.

Sure you can book it with an agent, but you'll get the same price. Since they dropped routing through NYP as a connection option within the system, you won't get the small through routing discount through an agent, either. It'll be priced segment by segment either way.

 

[B&Ofan]

Book using the website's Multi-City option with two segments, BOS-NYP and NYP-CHI. Best to leave at least 120 minutes between trains at NYP, the LD/Northeast Corridor connection guideline.

Sure you can book it with an agent, but you'll get the same price. Since they dropped routing through NYP as a connection option within the system, you won't get the small through routing discount through an agent, either. It'll be priced segment by segment either way.

I was afraid of that. Thanks.

 

[Lonestar2804]

From what I can see, the third sleeper was added to the LSL earlier this week. It also appears that it’s a V2, so running order is 1, 1, 2 on 48/49. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.

 

[joelkfla]

From what I can see, the third sleeper was added to the LSL earlier this week. It also appears that it’s a V2, so running order is 1, 1, 2 on 48/49. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.

Yep -- there goes 97's lost VL2.

 

[Bons356]

I am glad that that helped. This is often especially important for the Boston section since it has no checked baggage. If your luggage will not fit into the cubby hole, the attendant will usually place it willy-nilly into the outer shower room or in a vacant roomette but if the Boston sleeper is sold out, then there is no vacant roomette for luggage storage. In the past the attendant has often also stored excess luggage in the business class car but since there is no longer any business class, that is not an option. Corrections about the current procedure would be welcome.

I am also curious about the luggage storage. I will be on the 449 train out of Boston with my husband and just found out south station Boston has no checked baggage. We will have 2 large suitcases and a carryon each. I am now really concerned about where will the luggage go. I may be sleeping with it. if anyone has been on with luggage and can shed some light on the situation I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you

 

[Rasputin]

I am also curious about the luggage storage. I will be on the 449 train out of Boston with my husband and just found out south station Boston has no checked baggage. We will have 2 large suitcases and a carryon each. I am now really concerned about where will the luggage go. I may be sleeping with it. if anyone has been on with luggage and can shed some light on the situation I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you

The practice of storing luggage in a vacant roomette or in the outer shower room has been going on for a long time in the Boston sleeper ever since the Boston section lost its baggage car so I assume that is what will happen on your trip. You have to pack with that in mind so that the essentials that you need during your trip on the Lake Shore, such as medications, toothbrush, sleep mask, are in your carryon and not in the large suitcases.