Which train?

[Rick Westfall]

Hi,

I'm planning a trip that involves a commute from NYC to DC (actually will go through to Alexandria). I have the choice between a long distance Silver train (Silver Meteor) or a Northeast Regional train.

I've never traveled on Amtrak before. We will have two pieces of luggage but they won't surpass the requirements of Amtrak for carry on. The Meteor is a few dollars more expensive but I think has larger seats and more legroom?

My question...should it be obvious to me which one to choose or is it pretty much a coin flip?

Thanks

Rick

 

[CCC1007]

The silver service trains are full service, including a dining car and limited stops on the corridor. If you are traveling coach there is more leg room in the long distance coach cars then the corridor trains.

 

[Guest]

The silver service trains are full service, including a dining car and limited stops on the corridor. If you are traveling coach there is more leg room in the long distance coach cars then the corridor trains.

Thanks! Interesting that there are limited stops on the corridor but the overall trip is about 15 minutes longer. That's obviously not a deal breaker but just found it curious.

 

[Ryan]

Is Amtrak actually selling seats NYP-WAS on the LD trains? You may not have a choice.

The overall trip is longer because the ancient baggage cars and diners limit the trains speed to 110 MPH (as opposed to 125 for the Regionals).

 

[Guest]

Is Amtrak actually selling seats NYP-WAS on the LD trains? You may not have a choice.

The overall trip is longer because the ancient baggage cars and diners limit the trains speed to 110 MPH (as opposed to 125 for the Regionals).

I'm going through to Alexandria which is an option. You are right, the LD trains don't stop in WAS. Thanks for clarifying on the slower speeds and why. Are the older cars the theme for all the cars or just baggage and diners? I'm wondering if the Regional is a more comfortable car.

 

[Bob Dylan]

He said he's going to Alexandria Ryan, you can book the LD Trains from NYP to ALX! ( Silvers, Card, Crescent)

 

[ehbowen]

I'm going through to Alexandria which is an option. You are right, the LD trains don't stop in WAS. Thanks for clarifying on the slower speeds and why. Are the older cars the theme for all the cars or just baggage and diners? I'm wondering if the Regional is a more comfortable car.

Actually the Regionals are less comfortable; most of them use the older Amfleet I cars which were built for short-distance trips and have small windows. The Amfleet II long-distance cars used on the LD trains have a similar body shell but have larger windows and more comfortable chairs with leg rests, more leg room and more generous seat recline. Since most of the LD trip is off of the Northeast Corridor where train speed is limited to 79 or at most 90 mph due to track and signal considerations, the maximum speed allowed by the older Heritage equipment is not a limiting factor.

If it were my choice, I would take a long-distance train for that trip any time the schedule worked out.

 

[jis]

Heritage equipment is the limiting factor when they run on the NEC. They limit their speed to 110mph instead of 125mph.

 

[afigg]

I'm going through to Alexandria which is an option. You are right, the LD trains don't stop in WAS. Thanks for clarifying on the slower speeds and why. Are the older cars the theme for all the cars or just baggage and diners? I'm wondering if the Regional is a more comfortable car.

The long distance trains, the Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Crescent, that head south of DC, do stop at DC Union Station (and Baltimore, Wilmington, Philly, Newark). However, they only pick-up passengers on the Northeast corridor southbound to DC. So you can't book a ticket on the Silver Meteor from NYC to DC, only to points south of DC starting with Alexandria. The Silver Meteor, by the way, goes overnight through the Carolinas, GA to Orlando and Miami.
Be advised that the Silver Meteor and any Regional heading to Alexandria will have a layover in DC (station code WAS), typically 20 to 30 minutes, to swap engines from an electric to a diesel locomotive, and board passengers. You could get off a Regional at WAS and take the DC Metro to Alexandria, likely getting there a little ahead of the train you were on. But that requires taking 2 Metro trains with a transfer at Gallery Place Metro station.

As the others have stated, the Silver Meteor will have Amfleet II cars with more comfortable seats with more legroom as the seats are used for long distance travel with people sleeping overnight. However, the coach seats on a NE Regional are fine with as much legroom as typical domestic business class on airlines and wider than airline coach seats.

 

[ehbowen]

As the others have stated, the Silver Meteor will have Amfleet II cars with more comfortable seats with more legroom as the seats are used for long distance travel with people sleeping overnight. However, the coach seats on a NE Regional are fine with as much legroom as typical domestic business class on airlines and wider than airline coach seats.

This is true. When I said that the Regional seats were "smaller", I meant by comparison with the LD seats. If your point of comparison is an airline or a bus seat, you will find the Regional seating much more spacious and comfortable. It's just that the LD seats are roomier and more comfortable still.

 

[Bus Nut]

Is Amtrak actually selling seats NYP-WAS on the LD trains? You may not have a choice.

The overall trip is longer because the ancient baggage cars and diners limit the trains speed to 110 MPH (as opposed to 125 for the Regionals).

I'm going through to Alexandria which is an option. You are right, the LD trains don't stop in WAS. Thanks for clarifying on the slower speeds and why. Are the older cars the theme for all the cars or just baggage and diners? I'm wondering if the Regional is a more comfortable car.

They absolutely DO stop at Washington Union Station--to pick up passengers! They simply decline to sell you a short trip ticket on those trains because they prefer to save those seats for longer distance riders.

Alexandria, VA is on the Washington Metro Yellow Line plus it is a destination of its own with local low cost or free at some dates/times buses to the tourist area from the station.

Amtrak was selling open seats on the northbound Silvers as an experiment, don't know how that turned out. The Silvers don't always make it onto the NEC on time although their performance is better than most.

 

[Bus Nut]

Oops, afigg, ninja'd! Your explanation was eloquently put. (I should have heeded that warning message that someone had just posted.) :lol: :blush:

 

[afigg]

This is true. When I said that the Regional seats were "smaller", I meant by comparison with the LD seats. If your point of comparison is an airline or a bus seat, you will find the Regional seating much more spacious and comfortable. It's just that the LD seats are roomier and more comfortable still.

When we get a post from someone who has not traveled on Amtrak before, if they have not taken many intercity trains overseas, their intercity travel experience in the US is likely going to be the cramped coach seats on airlines and buses or driving. We have to keep in mind that when newcomers ask about the seats on Amtrak, their context is likely to be with regards to the coach seats on modern airliners which, of course, now border on medieval torture devices. So we should keep that in mind when responding and make it clear that Amtrak coach seats are not the same as airline coach seats and that there is plenty of room on the train for carry-on luggage.

 

[Guest]

This is true. When I said that the Regional seats were "smaller", I meant by comparison with the LD seats. If your point of comparison is an airline or a bus seat, you will find the Regional seating much more spacious and comfortable. It's just that the LD seats are roomier and more comfortable still.

When we get a post from someone who has not traveled on Amtrak before, if they have not taken many intercity trains overseas, their intercity travel experience in the US is likely going to be the cramped coach seats on airlines and buses or driving. We have to keep in mind that when newcomers ask about the seats on Amtrak, their context is likely to be with regards to the coach seats on modern airliners which, of course, now border on medieval torture devices. So we should keep that in mind when responding and make it clear that Amtrak coach seats are not the same as airline coach seats and that there is plenty of room on the train for carry-on luggage.

Thanks for considering my newbie category. The insight is much appreciated. It sounds like even though it's cheaper (about $50-60) to stop my trip at the WAS station, three people with full size luggage doing two different Metro lines isn't a viable option for me, but walking me through it is very much appreciated. Because it's a 4+ hour trip, the more space the better so it looks like my first experience with Amtrak will be on a Silver line. Thanks again to all for the assist!

Rick

 

[amtkstn]

The only major thing that is difference is the food service on each type of train. The LD train has a full service diner and the regional has just a lounge car with a snack bar with limited food choices.

 

[pvd]

I know that unless something has changed recently, the Amfleet I cars on the NEC regionals have wi-fi, while the Amfleet 2 cars (a bit more comfortable) do not. Don't know if this matters to you. For a short trip such as this, the nicer seats, added room and (especially depending on departure time) availability of better meals may not matter.

 

[HAL]

This is true. When I said that the Regional seats were "smaller", I meant by comparison with the LD seats. If your point of comparison is an airline or a bus seat, you will find the Regional seating much more spacious and comfortable. It's just that the LD seats are roomier and more comfortable still.

When we get a post from someone who has not traveled on Amtrak before, if they have not taken many intercity trains overseas, their intercity travel experience in the US is likely going to be the cramped coach seats on airlines and buses or driving. We have to keep in mind that when newcomers ask about the seats on Amtrak, their context is likely to be with regards to the coach seats on modern airliners which, of course, now border on medieval torture devices. So we should keep that in mind when responding and make it clear that Amtrak coach seats are not the same as airline coach seats and that there is plenty of room on the train for carry-on luggage.

Thanks for considering my newbie category. The insight is much appreciated. It sounds like even though it's cheaper (about $50-60) to stop my trip at the WAS station, three people with full size luggage doing two different Metro lines isn't a viable option for me, but walking me through it is very much appreciated. Because it's a 4+ hour trip, the more space the better so it looks like my first experience with Amtrak will be on a Silver line. Thanks again to all for the assist!

Rick

You don't have to take a LD train to Alexandria to avoid getting off at Washington and taking the Metro. There are Northeast Regional trains that stop in Alexandria.

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

I think the Silver Meteor would be a better first Amtrak experience than a Regional, especially in the evening, when many business people use the Regional almost like a commuter train. Is the Silver Star an option? If the price is acceptable, that train leaves mid-day, so you would avoid the rush hour crowd and get to Alexandria earlier. Also, except for some nice rivers, there isn't much scenery between New York and DC, so either Silver train would give you more to do (lunch or dinner in the dining car, for example).

That said, whichever you take, as you get near Philly, look on the left for the Zoo, then (if you're lucky and a SEPTA train isn't blocking the view) William Penn on top of City Hall (he will be between two tall buildings, and you can tell him by his hat, even at a distance), and the Art Museum.

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

Sorry, the Star leaves late morning from New York (mid-day from where I get on--wasn't thinking!)

 

[user 1215]

Where'd ya go, Rick?

To summarize:

Picking a random date within the next two weeks, these are the trains that will get you to Alexandria from NYP:

(NER = Northeast Regional, LD = Long Distance, prices based on 1/28/15 as of when this post was made)

Train #67 NER Departs 3:00 AM Arrives 7:49 AM. Total time: 4:49. 9 Stops. Has a cafe car and Business Class and Baggage service. Single Seat = $89

Train #89 LD Departs 6:05 AM Arrives 10:12 AM. Total time: 4:12. 7 Stops. Has a cafe car and Business Class. Single Seat = $89

Train #51 LD Departs 6:45 AM Arrives 11:24 AM. Total time: 4:39. 7 Stops. Has a Cross Country Cafe (not open, though) and Sleeper service. Single Seat = $89

Train #79 LD Departs 7:05 AM Arrives 11:12 AM. Total time: 4:07. 7 Stops. Has a cafe car and Business Class and Baggage service. Single Seat = $89

Train #95 NER Departs 10:35 AM Arrives 2:45 PM. Total time: 4:10. 9 Stops. Has a cafe car and Business Class. Single Seat = $89

Train #91 LD Departs 11:02 AM Arrives 3:25 PM. Total time: 4:23. 7 Stops. Has a cafe car, full diner and Sleeper service and Baggage service. Single Seat = $89

Train #125 NER Departs 11:35 AM Arrives 4:15 PM. Total time: 4:40. 9 Stops. Has a cafe car and Business Class. Single Seat = $89

I could go on and on, but as you can see, the total trip times don't really have much to do with their max speed, number of stops or type of service. In fact, the Carolinian overtakes the Cardinal in DC and leaves before it. Some trains have a dwell time in DC of 25 minutes, others are scheduled for nearly an hour (ie: #125 is 56 minutes).

If you need to go to ALX, there are a LOT of choices. You would likely be more comfortable in a long distance train. The Cardinal (#51), the Silvers (#91 & #97), and the Crescent (#19) have an onboard diner. ALL trains have a cafe car. Note that two long distance trains DON'T have a diner: The Carolinian and the Palmetto.

On low bucket days (with enough advance planning on non-busy days) the price will generally be the same. The closer you get to your departure date, the more variation you will see in cost.

Heck, if you have time, you may want to consider the Cardinal (#51) for double the price, but enjoy a private room and get breakfast and maybe even lunch included.

 

[Guest]

Still here...just hadn't logged in yet. I think I'm going with the Silver Meteor. Bigger seats and more legroom wins the day, and it gives us a little more time in NYC. Thanks for all the advice!!

Rick

 

[Guest]

Still here...just hadn't logged in yet. I think I'm going with the Silver Meteor. Bigger seats and more legroom wins the day, and it gives us a little more time in NYC. Thanks for all the advice!!

Rick

Tickets purchased! It just got real! 3:15p out of NYC...three people for $213. Not a bad deal. Thanks again!

 

[user 1215]

Remember - seats are about the same size. It's the legroom/pitch that varies. I hope you have a great experience! Even these old trains with old equipment are impressive at 110 MPH.