I'm going to a convention in January that's held in San Jose California, now I could take a flight and get there quickly, ooorrr I can relax and take a train ride across the states! I've taken a good amount of Amtrak trains in the North East to places like Philly, Boston South station, Wilmington (Joe Biden's Station!), and up to Buffalo a few times. Had great experience with the conductors and can have my nice fine wine on the Acela with Style, but with some experience with Lake shore Limited...
I went to a convention this past month in Chicago and taken the lake shore limited which I had a mixed feeling. I've gotten on at Metro North's main train yard station, Croton Harmon and was helped by a very nice assistant conductor, but when I gotten on it went all downhill! I was told promptly (different conductor) to find a seat in a cart filled with NYC passengers, as I was walking down the aisle the conductor followed me with my baggage and I saw no window seats available, so he told me to very incapacitate to find a seat. I sat next to a older lady (She was traveling to Texas by rail hehe), but as the train ride progressed I got uncomfortable since I wanted to rest my head up against the window. I moved my stuff and found a seat in a cart with plenty of seats, but the conductor quickly caught me and dragged me back to where I was sitting. He was super rude and refused my request and told me that "He's the conductor and those are the rules". I had to wait 5 in the morning with no sleep to talk with another conductor and she had no problem with me switching seats.
Coming back I had a good time, made a few friends and was able to get my window seat. Had a nice meal at the diner cart (Those Steak Burgers are to die for!) and was able to have a decent amount sleep. Now I'm ready to take another travel through Amtrak, this time across country and really get to enjoy the ride.. Question is, what is the best way to do this without going crazy?
Of course I'll be taking Lake shore Limited back up to Chicago to catch the California Zephyr, but this time I'll be better prep on how to get a decent ride. I was thinking of booking romettes round trip for the California Zephyr to better enjoy my ride, but the costs are very very expensive. I'll be booking for the 11th of January, leaving Croton Harmon and Arrving at San Jose Thursday the 13th and returning the next week on a Friday the 21st at Croton. Amtrak wants 1055 dollars which is a good chunk of money, but is it worth it? I know my trip will cost much less if I do coach, but traveling that long would worry me with my Lake shore experience of getting stuck. One question is how does the meals work for a Romette passenger? Am I limited to what I can have on the menu, could I order more then one thing? I'm a hungry gal! heheh
Any advise would be helpfully, I really want to take a train, just to make it worth wild and have a happy trip!
I went to a convention this past month in Chicago and taken the lake shore limited which I had a mixed feeling. I've gotten on at Metro North's main train yard station, Croton Harmon and was helped by a very nice assistant conductor, but when I gotten on it went all downhill! I was told promptly (different conductor) to find a seat in a cart filled with NYC passengers, as I was walking down the aisle the conductor followed me with my baggage and I saw no window seats available, so he told me to very incapacitate to find a seat. I sat next to a older lady (She was traveling to Texas by rail hehe), but as the train ride progressed I got uncomfortable since I wanted to rest my head up against the window. I moved my stuff and found a seat in a cart with plenty of seats, but the conductor quickly caught me and dragged me back to where I was sitting. He was super rude and refused my request and told me that "He's the conductor and those are the rules". I had to wait 5 in the morning with no sleep to talk with another conductor and she had no problem with me switching seats.
Coming back I had a good time, made a few friends and was able to get my window seat. Had a nice meal at the diner cart (Those Steak Burgers are to die for!) and was able to have a decent amount sleep. Now I'm ready to take another travel through Amtrak, this time across country and really get to enjoy the ride.. Question is, what is the best way to do this without going crazy?
Of course I'll be taking Lake shore Limited back up to Chicago to catch the California Zephyr, but this time I'll be better prep on how to get a decent ride. I was thinking of booking romettes round trip for the California Zephyr to better enjoy my ride, but the costs are very very expensive. I'll be booking for the 11th of January, leaving Croton Harmon and Arrving at San Jose Thursday the 13th and returning the next week on a Friday the 21st at Croton. Amtrak wants 1055 dollars which is a good chunk of money, but is it worth it? I know my trip will cost much less if I do coach, but traveling that long would worry me with my Lake shore experience of getting stuck. One question is how does the meals work for a Romette passenger? Am I limited to what I can have on the menu, could I order more then one thing? I'm a hungry gal! heheh
Any advise would be helpfully, I really want to take a train, just to make it worth wild and have a happy trip!
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