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I realize I'm flogging a dead horse; but her I go AGAIN.
2004:BOS/CHI/EMY/LAX/CHI/BOS, all Bedroom accommodations:$3,800. +/- a couple of bucks. Booked in February, 2004
2005:BOS/PHL/NOL/LAX/SEA/CHI/ALB/BOS,all Bedroom accomodations except BOS/PHL, F/C & ALB/BOS B/C: $3,600. +/- maybe more than a "couple" of bucks. Booked in August, 2004
2006:BOS/WAS/CHI/SEA/EMY/CHI/WAS/BOS,all Bedroom* accomdations except BOS/WAS/BOS, F/C Acela: $5,277.40 "exact" Priced in December 2005 and January 2006
Please note the * on the Bedroom accomodations for 2006. Rereading the Amenities shown in the Amtrak schedule all except train #50 CHI/WAS indicate Dining Car; train #50 indicates "Tray Meal" whatever that is.
We're experiencing a great deal of anxiety over the expense of this years planned trip and now to see that in addition to raising the water (fares) they're lowering the bridge (service).
I think I'll start "playing" the Lottery; maybe I'll get lucky.
Best regards, Rodger
CG96 Member # 1408
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Due to the lack of a full service diner on the Cardinal, these meals are the substitute. They are meals which are perpared off the train, and then re-heated while aboard. They are for the first class passengers.
PaulB Member # 4258
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Did you check other dates around which you want to travel? A day's difference can change the price by a few hundred dollars. This is because fares are set by how booked that particular train is when you make your reservation.
The Cardinal hasn't had a diner in a while-over a year. I remember reading this was because of stricter food service/handling sanitary requirements. They couldn't get a diner turned around quick enough with the new laws, so the Cardinal lost its diner.
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