Outlets?

[cerpintaxt33]

I'm not a fan of planes, and I need to travel from Boston to Chicago in either early or mid November (the dates are still being worked out). I figure I'll be able to endure 22 hours in coach if I'm able to use my laptop on board (mainly for movies/games since I don't believe there's any wifi on my route). My computer can last a solid 6 hours on a single charge, and I do have books and crosswords (and a girlfriend) I can bring...but I'd feel better knowing that I can charge my laptop once or twice if need be.

I'd gladly upgrade to business class for the outlets, but there don't appear to be any business class offerings on my route. The Amtrak website is pretty vague when it comes to coach outlets; I think the site only mentions that there are "very few" available. I'm lucky enough to be boarding at the train's starting point so I might be able to get to an outlet first, but does anyone know where these coach outlets are typically located so I can improve my chances? Are there additional outlets in the lounge and dining cars?

I appreciate any assistance.

 

[Ryan]

Welcome!

If you're going to be traveling so soon, book the tickets as soon as you can (like right now for your most likely date). There aren't any change fees so if you need to move a few days it isn't a big deal.

I think that most of the cars that run that route have been refurbished to include outlets at each seat, but someone more familiar with the route can say for sure. There are outlets in the lounge, bring a power strip to share and you shouldn't have too much trouble getting access to one.

 

[Guest]

As Ryan mentioned, it depends on if that particular coach has been refurbished or not. If not, then there is really only one or so outlets for use by the cleaning people (think vacuums). If it has been refurbished, then there is an outlet for each row (pair?) of seats.

There is rarely any way of telling ahead of time if the car you board, will be a refurbished one or not.

 

[PerRock]

The reason that route doesn't have business class is because it has Sleepers instead. You can upgrade to them and be guaranteed outlets; and meals. Most people here will highly advise a sleeper if you are going overnight (which BOS-CHI is). Being a sleeper pax also allows you access to the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago & the Club Acela Lounge in Boston (South Station). I've always gone coach on that route, but I only travel that route between TOL & BOS (or SPG); so I really skip out on most of the nights sleeping anyways. If your willing to pay the extra for sleeper I would suggest that you do; it usually tends to be worth it! There may also be a wine tasting on board as well for sleeper pax (some routes have them, some don't)

peter

 

[Ryan]

Given the short notice, I'm sure that the sleepers are either sold out or ridiculously expensive.

 

[cerpintaxt33]

Thank you all for the prompt replies

Since this is more or less a last minute thing, sleepers are cost prohibitive. It looks like finding out whether or not the car might be refurbished is what I'm looking at...but from one of the replies, it seems that this is something I wouldn't be able to find out, if at all, until long after I've purchased my ticket.

I'm considering bringing a power strip, but I'm not quite sure if I'd look crazy for doing so. Ryan, you say the lounge cars having outlets? How about the dining cars? What is the difference between the two?

 

[zephyr17]

Thank you all for the prompt replies

Since this is more or less a last minute thing, sleepers are cost prohibitive. It looks like finding out whether or not the car might be refurbished is what I'm looking at...but from one of the replies, it seems that this is something I wouldn't be able to find out, if at all, until long after I've purchased my ticket.

I'm considering bringing a power strip, but I'm not quite sure if I'd look crazy for doing so. Ryan, you say the lounge cars having outlets? How about the dining cars? What is the difference between the two?

You won't know about the outlet situation in your car until you board.

 

[Trogdor]

I think your chances of getting outlets on that train are pretty good. It has been quite a while since I have seen a single-level coach (which is the type the train from Boston to Chicago would use) without outlets at each seat. Even if you get unlucky and wind up with a car without them, the odds that the other coach would have them is pretty good. The lounge car has a decent chance of having outlets as well, if you need to recharge.

If all the above failed, then once your train gets to Albany, a few other cars are added that come in from New York, so speak with the conductor past Albany about relocating to one of the other cars that does have outlets.

If you were traveling out west, where the bi-level cars are used, your chance of getting a coach with outlets would be a bit more hit-or-miss (but even then, the number of coaches with outlets is slowly increasing).

 

[Ryan]

You won't look crazy at all, and you could end up a hero for folks that need some juice if you can turn one outlet into 6.

There may or may not be outlets in the dining car, but you're not going to be hanging around in there so it doesn't matter. The dining car is like a sit-down restaurant, you order a meal and it's brought to your table. The lounge is more like fast food, you walk up to the snack counter and get your stuff and there are tables provided for you to sit and eat (or you can take it back to your seat). You can hang out in the Lounge car without purchasing anything as well (you'll not be able to do this in the dining car, through).

 

[hhswami]

Bringing a power strip along may seem odd to a few, but anyone who has ended up on an coach car without an available outlet will understand. If you have a laptop or cell phone on such an extensive journey, it's a great idea. More than once I've been the hero for the person in the seat next to me for sharing the strip.

 

[Mackensen]

I've been on the Lake Shore Limited several times in the last year and I've always had power at my seat.

 

[BeckysBarn]

That last time I traveled in coach, I had the window seat & the power strip. It kept me from getting my seat mate's cords tangled in mine. I consider the power strip a necessity.

 

[Shawn Ryu]

Most Amfleets have outlets, if not you can ask if you can move to the car where there is. I did when I rode Coast Starlight.

 

[zepherdude]

I had outlets in coach when I rode the Lake Shore Limited train last. I was did not have them in my coach seat on the Empire Builder and I forgot to inquire until I was settled in. It must still be catch an outlet if you can in many cars.

 

[PerRock]

However even if your coach doesn't have outlets at each seat there are always a handful of outlets scattered around the car. Someone else here should be able to tell you what seats are guaranteed to have an outlet.

peter

 

[the_traveler]

On my recent 10-day trip on numerous trains

, I did have a sleeper on all the trains that did offer them. But in most (if not all) of the coaches I saw had at seat power at every seat. This was especially true of all the Amfleet (single level) cars that I saw - which the LSL is!

 

[the_traveler]

However even if your coach doesn't have outlets at each seat there are always a handful of outlets scattered around the car. Someone else here should be able to tell you what seats are guaranteed to have an outlet.

The un-refurbished coaches have 2 outlets per car. I may be wrong

but IIRC, they are near seats 12 and 60. But as I said, most Amfleet coaches are re-furbished!

 

[cerpintaxt33]

Glad to hear so many of you have traveled lake shore limited with promising results. I'm feeling much more confident that I'll be able to get an outlet. But just in case, I'll keep seats 12 and 60 in mind.

: )

 

[amtrakwolverine]

When i was on the LSL last year The car I was in did not have outlets at all seats.

 

[the_traveler]

The car I was in did not have outlets at all seats.

Next time, take the TRAIN instead - leave the CAR at home!