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I live in Toronto and wanted to attend the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Also like the late Glenn Gould I wanted to travel by Pullman on the overnight Toronto to New York train--long disappeared from the timetable. In the absence of direct Pullman service, I departed Toronto 5 April on Via's General Brock to Niagara Falls Ont., limo to Buffalo, and after an overnight stay I boarded #49 on the 6th of April . Although running on-time in recent days, we had nothing but problems. The train is supposed to depart Buffalo's Depew station at around 7:00 am. It actually arrived about 8:15 am, then sat for a while, when forward a few feet, sat for about 20 minutes, then backed up about a mile, sat for 20 minutes, went back to Depew and sat for another 20 minutes. We eventually made it to New York's Penn station about 3 1/2 hours late. On board a beautifully refurbished dining car, but a crew with a "couldn't care less" attitude. My sleeping car attendant was a "never to be seen" type but at least was there to take my bags off the train. Coming back on #48 on the 9th of April, all was well until just west of Rochester we hit a car (no one injured) which delayed us almost two hours arriving in Buffalo. We had an old run down ex-NYC diner, but with an excellent crew that were both friendly and helpful. I had a very good NY steak that actually was the med. rare I ordered. Tom Finnigan was my sleeping car attendant who actually remembered me from previous trips many years ago. This man is no doubt the very best employee Amtrak has. Unbelievably helpful and efficient. If only every person working for Amtrak could be like him. Since I forgot to bring tonic water for my evening G&T, I went to the lounge car and the attendant did not charge me for the tonic nor for a bag of peanuts--very impressive. Perhaps I should have posted this on the rail travel site, however, since there have been so many postings about the Lake Shore recently, I thought posting it here would not be out of line.
dilly Member # 1427
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Sounds like you had a classic Lake Shore Limited adventure. If you haven't already done so, take VIA to Montreal sometime, and then catch Amtrak's southbound Adirondack to New York. The train doesn't have a sleeping car, but the scenery (especially in autumn) is well worth the price of a ticket.
Konstantin Member # 18
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Your experiences sound similar to my trips on the Lake Shore Limited. You were fortunate to have a caring crew on the way back. I had the couldn't care less attitude crews both ways.
It is unfortunate that Amtrak can't fire all of the couldn't care less employees and keep the good ones. People like Tom Finnigan should be getting paid much more than some of the others, but he probably isn't.
I have typically found western train crews to be far superior to eastern train crews.
------------------ Elias Valley Railroad (N-scale) www.geocities.com/evrr
efin98 Member # 1943
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you could the Maple Leaf next time from Toronto and go directly to New York City. that way you could avoid the hastle of the hastle of changing trains
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Lest we forget, Mr. Findlay, that Mr. Royaltrain had to keep the Met's curtain time in mind.
Considering the abysmal OT record of Amtrak's LD trains, I would think it best advised not to book any performance for the evening of arrival. Even airlines quietly recommend same for their scheduled afternoon arrivals.
With that in mind, I have an upcoming May trip to New York where EB I will use the Capitol Ltd to Wash then "next train out" to New York. At first, I gave consideration to a concert at Carnegie Hall evening of arrival, but since have thought better of that.
After all, "non-refundable' has been in the lexicon of performances ever since the first admission was charged (did the lions perform for free during Roman Times?, anyone).
[This message has been edited by Gilbert B Norman (edited 04-11-2003).]
royaltrain Member # 622
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Mr. Norman,
You are quite correct in not trying for a same day train/concert connection. In my case I had to stay two nights in New York, as the Lakeshore's (alleged) 3:30 pm arrival is too tight for an evening performance, and its 12:45 pm departure is impossible even for a matinee
David Member # 3
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I'm sure Royaltrain knows about the Maple Leaf between Toronto and New York. I use this a few times a year when I escort a group of seniors on a day trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls and back. That train is barely tolerable for two hours. Taking it all the way to New York is beyond the pale.
I have friends and relatives who, against my advice, have taken this train to New York and have sworn off all rail travel because of their negative experiences. (Believe me: it pains me to have to recommend that someone not travel by train!) For those not familiar with this train, the common complaints are: it is a rolling "dustbin", far too frequently late, poor riding quality, tiny windows, lack of decent catering, no real first class on the 12-hour plus run. Sorry, that so-called business class section doesn't cut the muster.
[This message has been edited by David (edited 04-11-2003).]
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Mr Royaltrain--
It would appear you heard "Parsifal" (with tickets I'm guessing @ US$175 a pop) performed; no wonder you came in the night before.
royaltrain Member # 622
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Mr. Norman:
Indeed it was Parsifal, it started at 6:30 pm and ended near midnight. I had a fabulous seat fourth row from the orchestra at a cost of U$165. Given the great length of Wagner's last opera, the Met always starts it much earlier in the evening thus making train connections even more tenuous than usual. As for taking the Maple Leaf, David is correct that this 12 hour ride is just awful, hence the Buffalo connection.
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