NETrainfan
Lead Service Attendant
We have not been on the Lake Shore Limited for several years and would appreciate comments from recent riders.
Lake Shore Limited- Recent Riders?
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Mackensen
Lead Service Attendant
I've been on it CHI-SPG twice in the last year and once NYP-CHI; all three times in coach. It's running with a restored heritage diner since last December that's quite comfortable and overall a great experience. OTP is overall pretty good except on the Boston section between Albany and Pittsfield; both times I've gone through there I've had problems. The CSX trackage around Buffalo is still godawful bumpy. The dwell time in Albany tends to be long enough for a quick meal in the station cafe if you're so inclined though the wifi there never works for me. If you're heading out of Chicago the departure time is now 9:30 PM but the lounge car will be open at or shortly after departure.
I guess the main changes in the past years have been the dining and lounge cars, as well as the 9:30 departure out of CHI. I also took it CHI -> SPG. Last July for me. I had some AGR points for a roomette. Dining car runs on the NYP section. Diner Lite / Lounge car goes to BOS. In coach, there's the Amfleet II cars, so you will have 2 outlets at each set of seats for your electronic gadget fun. Next time maybe I'll bring a Ronco Showtime Rotisserie, and cook my own dinner at my seat! When i was on they didn't take lunch reservations, so there was quite a line at peak eating time. They may have been short some wait staff that day. If they don't take reservations, I suggest dining before 11:45 if you're going to use the main dining car.
Last year on time performance was pretty good, but lately it's been quite miserable. Overall, Amtrak is reporting 62% to the terminals. The 49 westbound was only 51.6% last month. While the 48 to NY was only on time 48.4%. Both eastbound sections arrived early today, but westbound was an hour late. I'm wondering if the lateness of this route indicates the economy is picking up due to freight train interference.
Last year on time performance was pretty good, but lately it's been quite miserable. Overall, Amtrak is reporting 62% to the terminals. The 49 westbound was only 51.6% last month. While the 48 to NY was only on time 48.4%. Both eastbound sections arrived early today, but westbound was an hour late. I'm wondering if the lateness of this route indicates the economy is picking up due to freight train interference.
jis
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I think it has more to do with serious track work between Rochester and Erie. Lot of single track operation through there the last time I took the LSL about 6 weeks back.
I was on the LSL a few weeks ago from NYP to CHI. We were in roomettes, and it was a great ride. It didn't seem bumpy through Buffalo and Erie, but I was probably asleep at that point and didn't notice! It was my first experience with the Heritage Diner, and I thought it was comfortable and the food good. Also, we arrived in CHI on time - we were very lucky, since a lot of LSL's were arriving quite late during those weeks!
I did a trip reporton our experience, which has a bit more information.
I did a trip reporton our experience, which has a bit more information.
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NETrainfan
Lead Service Attendant
Thanks so much for the information and the review.
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njdon
Train Attendant
If June counts as recent I did the Chi to NYC run on the 5-6th. I booked a roomette and so took advantage of the tasting in Chicago even before we left the station-it was very well presented. The Heritage diner was a decided improvement over its predecessor. Service on board was good even in the diner that was very crowded for breakfast. I have to say that the am views traveling along the Hudson between Albany and New York were world class, for that section it's as good as any other on Amtrak (out of the right side of the train). Overall it was a very positive Amtak long distance experience and I'm sure you'll enjoy the trip.
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clearfork
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For what it's worth, I took LSL, CLE to NYP and back recently. Had a great dinner on the return.....rack of lamb....delicious. And, beautiful following the Hudson up to Albany. Didn't realize the train could leave anytime out of Albany on the way to NYP. Feel fortunate I was on the train. A passenger had a medical emergency south of Albany and the train stopped for an extended time while EMT attended the passenger.
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