There are different platform levels at Washington Union Station?

[brianpmcdonnell17]

With Superliners, in order to cram two full levels into the cars, they had to make the make the lower level floor incredibly low down, and therefore had to do the same with the entryways. Single-level cars have enough space that they can have the floors above the trucks, so high platforms are ideal. Many bi-levels do have high entryways, but since that pretty much requires having a sort of intermediate middle floor, Amtrak couldn't do that with the Superliners.

Due to the different requirements associated with intercity and commuter trains Amtrak would be unlikely to use a similar car, but the Metra Electric Highliners do not have an intermediate floor and can use high-level platforms. The design is similar to regular Metra and VRE cars except there are no steps on the interiors of the cars.

 

[the_traveler]

Acela does not have steps at all. Thus they require high level platforms.

 

[cpotisch]

Acela does not have steps at all. Thus they require high level platforms.

Right, so those are confined to the upper level no matter what. The Acela and Capitol are the only Amtrak trains that are confined to certain tracks at Washington Union. For all their other trains, it's really just a matter of convenience.

 

[Ryan]

The VRE gallery cars also require a low platform.

 

[cpotisch]

The VRE gallery cars also require a low platform.

I know. I was referring to the Amtrak trains that require certain platforms. None of the MARC trains require low platforms, right?

 

[Thirdrail7]

Let me help you out, Seaboard;

By my best memory note it could be slightly off. The only places I truly know are work related places to me which are 9, 10, 30, crew office, Ivy shuttle, and the commissary.

LL=Low Level
HL=High Level

7 LL
8 LL
9 HL
10 HL and LL
11 HL and LL
12 HL
13 HL
14 HL
15 LL
16 LL and HL
17 HL
18 HL

19 HL

20 HL

Lower Deck
20 LL Diesel Locomotive Ready Track
21 LL

22 LL Diesel Locomotive Ready Track

23 LL

24 LL
25 LL
26 LL
Platform under repair
27 LL
28 LL
Access by Crossing over 28,29
29 LL Electric Ready Track
30 LL PV and Company Service Storage Track

Acela does not have steps at all. Thus they require high level platforms.

Right, so those are confined to the upper level no matter what. The Acela and Capitol are the only Amtrak trains that are confined to certain tracks at Washington Union. For all their other trains, it's really just a matter of convenience.

If you want to get technical, any electric train will have limitations in WAS since 7,8,9 and 30 tks do not have catenary.

The VRE gallery cars also require a low platform.

I know. I was referring to the Amtrak trains that require certain platforms. None of the MARC trains require low platforms, right?

They do not.

 

[Seaboard92]

Let me help you out, Seaboard;

By my best memory note it could be slightly off. The only places I truly know are work related places to me which are 9, 10, 30, crew office, Ivy shuttle, and the commissary.

LL=Low Level

HL=High Level

7 LL

8 LL

9 HL

10 HL and LL

11 HL and LL

12 HL

13 HL

14 HL

15 LL

16 LL and HL

17 HL

18 HL

19 HL

20 HL

Lower Deck

20 LL Diesel Locomotive Ready Track

21 LL

22 LL Diesel Locomotive Ready Track

23 LL

24 LL

25 LL

26 LL

Platform under repair

27 LL

28 LL

Access by Crossing over 28,29

29 LL Electric Ready Track

30 LL PV and Company Service Storage Track

Acela does not have steps at all. Thus they require high level platforms.

Right, so those are confined to the upper level no matter what. The Acela and Capitol are the only Amtrak trains that are confined to certain tracks at Washington Union. For all their other trains, it's really just a matter of convenience.

If you want to get technical, any electric train will have limitations in WAS since 7,8,9 and 30 tks do not have catenary.

The VRE gallery cars also require a low platform.

I know. I was referring to the Amtrak trains that require certain platforms. None of the MARC trains require low platforms, right?

They do not.

This time I'm closer to where I could be qualified. See on a car it doesn't matter to me what track I'm on because I sleep, live, and do everything on the car. And we are only ever parked in one of four places. As long as I can find it I'm good.

 

[user 1215]

Hi Dakota 400. Thanks for writing in. Happy to help. I think all your questions have been answered. Again, redcap service isn't really necessary from the Acela Lounge if you can handle your own bags. Same service is available for coach passengers.

Whether you are in Club Acela or in general boarding, you'll wait until the train is ready. Club Acela (including sleeping passengers) are first, followed by coach passengers, on what I call the Kindergarten Walk. They'll have all the passengers line up and an escort will lead the way down an escalator then to the proper location on the platform.

If you need assistance with your baggage (ie: your carry on, or your big stuff if your destination doesn't allow for checked baggage), the train attendant will be happy to bring your bags onboard, so long as none are more than 50 lbs.

Then you will climb aboard - a short step onto the train, then a couple more steps - then you will be guided to your room by your sleeping car attendant.

 

[cpotisch]

I think he's travelled on Amtrak before. The issue was primarily just figuring out which level the train will be on.

 

[Dakota 400]

I think he's travelled on Amtrak before. The issue was primarily just figuring out which level the train will be on.

Yes, I have traveled on Amtrak. Navigating Washington Union Station is what has been of concern to me.

Hi Dakota 400. Thanks for writing in. Happy to help. I think all your questions have been answered. Again, redcap service isn't really necessary from the Acela Lounge if you can handle your own bags. Same service is available for coach passengers.

Whether you are in Club Acela or in general boarding, you'll wait until the train is ready. Club Acela (including sleeping passengers) are first, followed by coach passengers, on what I call the Kindergarten Walk. They'll have all the passengers line up and an escort will lead the way down an escalator then to the proper location on the platform.

If you need assistance with your baggage (ie: your carry on, or your big stuff if your destination doesn't allow for checked baggage), the train attendant will be happy to bring your bags onboard, so long as none are more than 50 lbs.

Then you will climb aboard - a short step onto the train, then a couple more steps - then you will be guided to your room by your sleeping car attendant.

And. thank you for your response as well.

 

[Dakota 400]

I appreciate all who have responded to my questions. Not being familiar with the Amtrak part of Washington Union Station, but having used it as a Metro customer, I found it somewhat "intimidating" as a Metro customer which has led to my concern regarding my Amtrak boarding and de-training.

I'm an experienced enough traveler that I have learned, when in doubt where to go, "follow my nose, using common sense of course" and "ask questions"!