New Haven to Chicago. Capitol Limited out Lake Shore Limited back?

[Roadpupp]

Hey all-
Considering a three day trip to Chicago from New Haven, CT. Travel times are within an hour of each other to take the Capitol or Lake Shore. Seems like I may be passing much of the lake front in the dark if I go eastbound . Capitol Limited goes through WV so I assume it has some nice views as well. I see that LSL is generally more on time but this is a pleasure trip.
Will likely book two roomettes as I snore and my teenage daughters would rather have their own space over a family room.

Any suggestions or experience is appreciated!
Chad

 

[Bob Dylan]

Hey all-
Considering a three day trip to Chicago from New Haven, CT. Travel times are within an hour of each other to take the Capitol or Lake Shore. Seems like I may be passing much of the lake front in the dark if I go eastbound . Capitol Limited goes through WV so I assume it has some nice views as well. I see that LSL is generally more on time but this is a pleasure trip.
Will likely book two roomettes as I snore and my teenage daughters would rather have their own space over a family room.

Any suggestions or experience is appreciated!
Chad

Even though the Cap has Flex Food and no Sightseer Lounge, it is Superliner equipped, and as you said,you'll have nice Scenery on the way from Pittsburgh to Washington ( Daylight) and you leave Chicago @ Dinner time instead of 930pm, so I'd take the Cap East bound.

 

[bratkinson]

For me, if I hadn't done it before I would definitely go for the scenery route. That means the Capitol Lrd to Pittsburgh, The Pennsylvanian to New York, and lastly a regional train to New Haven. Or the Acela, if that strikes your fancy.

You might want to decide on what is worth what. Is no change of trains on the Lakeshore a better choice? Are the 2 free meals on the Lakeshore vs 1 or none on the CL a deal breaker? I, for one, despise contemporary meals. So regardless of route, I would buy a 12-in grinder / sub prior to boarding and eat half for dinner and half for breakfast. Fighting lounge car lines on either train is not my cup of tea. That is my usual plan on those trains regardless of direction.

So it comes down to the scenery. And the trip from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia goes through some excellent mountain scenery during the day. And let's not forget horseshoe curve and daylight.

The choice is yours to make.

 

[Steve4031]

Here are some photos I took from the EB LSL. The first picture is Lake Erie. Then Rochester. Then the Hudson st Albany. These were from the left side. The right side is actually better for a first time traveler on the LSL. East of Utica you follow the Mohawk. Then south of Albany you follow the Hudson.

If you are traveling in the summer I think LSL WB is better. CL EB is better because you see the climb over sand Patch in Daylight.

 

[Steve4031]

I agree that Pittsburg ti Harrisburg is more scenic than the Capitol Limited.

 

[Roadpupp]

Definitely keeping train changes to a minimum. Wont change in Pittsburgh on this trip. I have the family along.
Appreciate all the input! So far you all seem 50/50 on LSL Eastboud vs Westbound. I could just do LSL both ways but it is pretty even time and price wise

 

[daybeers]

Could always do the ride up to Springfield (might be advantageous to buy this separately as sometimes the fares NHV-SPG force Value fares on the other legs) for one way and the ride to NYC the other. The scenery along the Hudson is very nice.