Need advice: first long Amtrak trip.

[MattinCT]

As a child, my dad used to bribe me: good grades and completing my homework would earn a trip on Amtrak. We took a few, just the two of us, as well as a few with my family—always on Superliners and always from SLC. As I grew a little older I discovered air travel, went to work for an airline and didn't really look back until recently. I left the airline to work for a consulting firm (working with airlines and rail companies) and now live just outside of NYC in Connecticut. My MTA commutes from home into NYC have often found me connecting in Stamford, waiting on the platform as Acela and other trains that run up and down the NE corridor stop to let off and take in passengers. Seeing these trains has made me miss those trips, but up until a couple weeks ago it had been years since I'd stepped foot on an Amtrak train.

The past few months I've been trying to think of an excuse to take an Amtrak trip. Thanks to a recent work snafu I had the chance. A few weeks ago I ended up going to Portland, ME via Boston, on Acela and then the Downeaster. I'm completely hooked again. I was excited to stumble across this forum and find that people just as nerdy as me exist. I've known about my airline nerdieness for years, and spend hours reading flyertalk.com—now I have a new found outlet for my rekindled train obsession!

In order to try and satisfy my urge for train travel I've decided to make my annual Holiday Season, visit the family pilgrimage from CT/NYC to SLC via Amtrak.

My reason for posting is to ask for your advice and recommendations on itinerary and whatever else you'd like to offer.

I've spent hours pouring over the Amtrak website, and I think I've narrowed it down to a few options which include a combination of: Acela to DC, the Capitol Limited to Chicago OR the Lake Shore Limited from NYP to Chicago and then of course the California Zephyr from Chicago to SLC. Coming back could also be a combination of the same trains.

Right now I'm leaning toward: STM to WAS on Acela, WAS to Chicago on the Capitol Limited and then the Zephyr to SLC. Returning on the Zephyr to Chicago, then onto NYP on the Lake Shore Limited, connecting onto the Northeast Corridor back to CT. My reasoning for this itinerary is that it limits the amount of time on the Northeast corridor (took it home from DC last weekend and didn't love the business class seats as much as the ones on the Downeaster) and the different routes in/out of Chicago would let me try the Viewliner roomettes in addition the Superliner roomettes as well as change up the scenery. I'm really open to suggestions and advice though!

 

[AlanB]

First, welcome!

Second, book ASAP, as that's a peak time and rooms will sell out, not to mention only continue to increase in price as we get closer and more rooms sell.

As for your itinerary, I'd say that it's as good as any. It does give you varried routes and equipment. Do keep in mind though that catching the Capitol Limited will require that you're on the first Acela of the morning out of Boston, so it's a bit of an early start.

 

[spot1181]

A couple of other things to consider. How about The Cardinal, if you time your departure or arrival, since it only runs each way three days a week. If you have a couple of extra days on the return, continue west on The Zepher to Sacramento to Portland,OR and back to Chicago on the Empire Builder. This gives you a chance to see a lot of different scenery.

 

[the_traveler]

Welcome!

You made a great choice to ride Amtrak! But personally, I might chose the other way - STM-NYP to the LSL and return via WAS on the CL. The reason is from NYP to STM, there are very few trains after the LSL arrives (if it is on time). The next train departs at 3 AM. (Unless you can get a MN train from NYG.) Plus you don't have to depart so early to get to WAS in time.

 

[sunchaser]

It sounds like a great trip!

You did not mention if you would be traveling alone.

If you are, the roomettes should be fine.

If there are two traveling, though, you may find that the roomette may not be as comfortable for more than a day or two.

I agree with Alan, book as early as you can.

You can also ask the Conductor(s) about upgrading to a bedroom. You would have much more space, & a complete bathroom in the bedrooms.

The westbound (#5) California Zephyr usually arrives as early as 10:20pm, & the eastbound (#6) usually leaves around 4:10am.

The on time performance has improved quite a bit, as well as the service recently.

Also, don't forget to sign up for Amtrak Guest Rewards before you book your trip, & include that number when you book.

You will earn points towards future travel!

 

[nferr]

Definitely book a sleeper. I would take the LSL westbound, nice scenery up the Hudson and it's a quick trip from CT. to NYP. The CZ is a great train to SLC. Take the CL eastbound to Washington as the eastbound trip gives you great daylight scenery.

Doing it the other way the Capital is almost all nightime (westbound). The LSL is nice either direction but the mealtimes work better westbound. You'll get dinner and breakfast. Eastbound they skip dinner out of Chicago and skip dinner into NYC.

 

[darien-l]

Personally, I would try to take the Lake Shore Limited on the outbound, and the Cardinal on the return. The connection from the California Zephyr to the Cardinal is better than that to Capitol Limited or Lake Shore Limited on the return, and the scenery on the Cardinal is much more impressive than on the Capitol Limited (in my opinion). The reason why I wouldn't recommend Cardinal on the outbound is a very early (~6:45 am) departure from NYP. The Lake Shore Limited should also be experienced, mainly for the views of Hudson River Valley.

 

[AlanB]

Personally, I would try to take the Lake Shore Limited on the outbound, and the Cardinal on the return. The connection from the California Zephyr to the Cardinal is better than that to Capitol Limited or Lake Shore Limited on the return, and the scenery on the Cardinal is much more impressive than on the Capitol Limited (in my opinion).

While I wouldn't argue that the scenery is much better on the Cardinal, by comparison to either the Lake Shore or the Capitol, I would definately not recommend a Zephyr-Cardinal connection. The CZ is probably the worst train for on time performance into Chicago at present of all the western routes. With little more than a 2 hour window to connect between the two trains, this is the connection most often missed by passengers on the CZ.

If the CZ is on time, great. But the odds don't favor that and therefore the odds are that you'd end up on either the LSL or the Capitol, and quite possibly without a sleeping compartment. Frankly, I wouldn't connect to anything but the Lake Shore from the CZ, but if one doesn't want the LSL, then please make it the Capitol. Don't chance the Cardinal, especially around the holidays when trains are full.

 

[darien-l]

Personally, I would try to take the Lake Shore Limited on the outbound, and the Cardinal on the return. The connection from the California Zephyr to the Cardinal is better than that to Capitol Limited or Lake Shore Limited on the return, and the scenery on the Cardinal is much more impressive than on the Capitol Limited (in my opinion).

While I wouldn't argue that the scenery is much better on the Cardinal, by comparison to either the Lake Shore or the Capitol, I would definately not recommend a Zephyr-Cardinal connection. The CZ is probably the worst train for on time performance into Chicago at present of all the western routes. With little more than a 2 hour window to connect between the two trains, this is the connection most often missed by passengers on the CZ.

If the CZ is on time, great. But the odds don't favor that and therefore the odds are that you'd end up on either the LSL or the Capitol, and quite possibly without a sleeping compartment. Frankly, I wouldn't connect to anything but the Lake Shore from the CZ, but if one doesn't want the LSL, then please make it the Capitol. Don't chance the Cardinal, especially around the holidays when trains are full.

AlanB, I respectfully disagree, I think the situation is nowhere as dire as you make it out to be. First of all, California Zephyr's OTP into Chicago has been very good lately. According to amtrakdelays.com, the Zephyr arrived into Chicago late enough to miss the connection to the Cardinal only once in the past month. These are excellent odds. In the worst case scenario, if the Zephyr is running very late, the standard procedure is to bus the connecting passengers from Galesburg to Indianapolis to catch the Cardinal. This has happened to me before (http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/index.php?showtopic=23876), and they made sure to hold my roomette so I had it waiting for me when I got to Indianapolis.

 

[the_traveler]

The connection from the California Zephyr to the Cardinal is better than that to Capitol Limited or Lake Shore Limited on the return

:huh:

The connection from the CZ to the Cardinal is 2 hours, the CL 4 hours and the LSL 7 hours. If the CZ is on time, yes 2 hours is fine, but if it is running late (as it was for me), I don't want to stress about being on time so I can make my connection! Also, yes they would bus you to meet the Cardinal, but personally if I had a sleeper, I would rather spend 4 or 7 hours in the CHI Metropolitan Lounge than on a bus!

And OP is going to STM. That would require taking #67 and either depart from WAS late at night or from NYP at 3 AM - and arrive in STM in the middle of the night - if the Cardinal is used!

 

[MattinCT]

Thanks everyone for your fast, very helpful replies. After considering your suggestions (really liked the idea of reversing the routing for better daylight scenery) I booked the following:

Outbound

STM-NYP 93 Northeast Regional

NYP-CHI 49 Lake Shore Limited; Room B – Car 4911

CHI-SLC 5 California Zephyr; Roomette 3 – Car 531

Return

SLC-CHI 6 California Zephyr; Roomette 6 – Car 632

CHI-WAS 30 Capitol Limited; Roomette 8 – Car 3000

WAS-STM 168 Northeast Regional

When I went to book, the LSL had a bedroom for the same price as a roomette-- no brainer score there! I considered taking the Cardinal on the return, but I was slightly concerned about the connection, when I went to book, the rooms were sold out which made it moot.

Anyone think I should call Amtrak and change the rooms, or do they look good?

Really excited for the trip, thanks again for all the advice!

 

[the_traveler]

I think the rooms are good. On the Superliners, they are all upstairs (better viewing ). While some don't like rooms close to the end door (room 9 & 10 and to a lesser extent 7 & 8), I did not hear any excessive noise in those roomettes.

 

[AAARGH!]

Thanks everyone for your fast, very helpful replies. After considering your suggestions (really liked the idea of reversing the routing for better daylight scenery) I booked the following:
Outbound

STM-NYP 93 Northeast Regional

NYP-CHI 49 Lake Shore Limited; Room B – Car 4911

CHI-SLC 5 California Zephyr; Roomette 3 – Car 531

Return

SLC-CHI 6 California Zephyr; Roomette 6 – Car 632

CHI-WAS 30 Capitol Limited; Roomette 8 – Car 3000

WAS-STM 168 Northeast Regional

When I went to book, the LSL had a bedroom for the same price as a roomette-- no brainer score there! I considered taking the Cardinal on the return, but I was slightly concerned about the connection, when I went to book, the rooms were sold out which made it moot.

Anyone think I should call Amtrak and change the rooms, or do they look good?

Really excited for the trip, thanks again for all the advice!

Just curious, why not the Acela? I know the cost is significantly less the way you booked it, but you originally said you wanted to take the Acela.

 

[the_traveler]

Just curious, why not the Acela? I know the cost is significantly less the way you booked it, but you originally said you wanted to take the Acela.

There are a few AE departures from STM to NYP that he could take, but they are only about 45 minutes long. Returning from WAS, there are 2 possible AE departures after the CL arrives going to STM. But a connection between the CL and AE is not guaranteed. And if a guaranteed connection is missed, it is much easier to reissue a ticket on a Regional than an AE. (And who knows, he could get lucky and be rebooked on the AE! It has happened before to some people! )

 

[MattinCT]

Just curious, why not the Acela? I know the cost is significantly less the way you booked it, but you originally said you wanted to take the Acela.

Good question… The trip from STM to NYP is less than an hour, so not worth the $61 (vs. $18 for NEC). The day of my return there is only one Acela from WAS to STM and it leaves before I arrive in WAS. I did think about spending the night in WAS and then taking an Acela home in the morning… and I sill might… but business on NEC isn’t THAT bad… we’ll see how I feel the day of the trip though!

 

[RailFanLNK]

DO NOT TAKE THE CARDINAL! I disagree with you Wayman. I live on the CZ line and that will put our friend on pins and needles to catch the Cardinal. I have heard (not experienced) that the Cardinal is not the best train when it comes to equipment and service. The LSL has a 9pm departure time and that beats a 5:45pm departure time hands down. I wouldn't book the CZ to the Cardinal if you paid me to. I train status it every day and it seems whenever I am on it, its 5 years late! :lol: I have been on a 8 hour late SWC and a 12 hour late California Zephyr, if I see any connection of less then 2 hours, I will kiss my sister if I make that connection. I think the itenirary our new friend made rocks for a rookie. It gives him good layover times, different equipment and different scenery all through his trip! Welcome Matt!

 

[RailFanLNK]

Ok, didn't know that MattinCT had booked his/her trip. So disregard my prior post. About not booking the Cardinal, I did not by any means say to never take this train, just the 2 hour window for a connection is way too close for my liking!

 

[wayman]

DO NOT TAKE THE CARDINAL! I disagree with you Wayman.

I'll freely admit, when I started reading this thread from the beginning just now I thought "well, he could also consider the Cardinal...". But I never posted it! How did you read my mind, Al? :blink: :lol:

I'll certainly defer to others on the issues of the CZ/Card timing -- the only eastbound connection I've made to the Cardinal, I left myself two nights in Chicago between trains! Because hey, I like Amtrak but I also like Chicago.

 

[the_traveler]

I'll certainly defer to others on the issues of the CZ/Card timing

As I said, I did connect from the CZ to the Cardinal. (AGR would only book me CZ->Cardinal, even though I wanted CZ->CL! :angry: ) I did make it OK, but I was very stressed when the CZ entered IL over 1 hour late!