RAILforum: PLEASE HELP MY EFFORT....

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Posted by UncleBuck44 (Member # 2049) on :

Im trying as hard as I can to get my parents to take the LSL from Chicago to NY.
I need the advantages of taking the Train.
What are the best things about a Viewliner Standard room from a consumer standpoint.
I live in St.Louis and we would have toi fly to get to CHI or reverse order.
Give me some things I could say to get my parents on this train.

Posted by jp1822 (Member # 2596) on :

Gto to www.amtrak.com and use some of their campaign slogans for taking the train, or pick up the Amtrak Vacation Guide that lists the amenities, service and scenery you take in along each Amtrak train route. You can pickup the Amtrak Vacation Guide at most staffed train stations or go the Amtrak website and request a mailing of it.

Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :

It might be helpful to know a few things about your parents. Their likes and dislikes, etc.

------------------
Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy

The Del Monte Club Car

Posted by stlboomer (Member # 2028) on :

Hi,
Maybe you could do a report or presentation on your trip as an extra-credit project at school. You'd get an LD train ride and a good grade (right?) and Amtrak would hopefully get some positive PR.

BYW, have you considered a weekend trip down to Austin or San Antonio on the Eagle, with a fly-back on Sunday?

Good luck and happy riding!

-Mark

Posted by daisybumble (Member # 855) on :

I would shy away from the Amtrak advertising materials. Why? Because the people in the photos are just a little too happy, and it doesn't accurately portray what is good about train travel.
You would be better off showing them travelogues from this site, or a description of train travel from one of the good books (like Rail Ventures or All Aboard).
Be honest. The main drawback of train travel is time. Delays are inevitable, but if they look at the train ride as part of the trip rather than merely transportation, then they'll be okay.
Point out that train travel is far more civilized that air travel. You are free to walk around at any time on the trip, you can use your cel phone, laptop, or discman whenever you want, the food is far better (and you can serve yourself by going to the lounge car, rather than wait for an attendant), you can socialize with your fellow passengers, and the comfort level is superior. A coach seat on a train is wider and has more legroom than first-class on any jet.
The Viewliner standard sleeper isn't terribly roomy, but my husband and I were quite comfortable...we aren't the thinnest people, and hubby is 6'2". It's a matter of preference. Both bunks have comfy mattresses, nice pillows and soft blankets. The upper bunk has its own window. There is a baggage stow space for your overnight bags, a compact sink and toilet unit, mirror, soap, Dixie cups, tissues, and towels. You also have a little TV monitor that shows movies. The seats face each other, and there is a pull-out table between them. All of the room controls are within easy reach of either seat. I was amazed at how much is in this little compartment! Of course, you also have an attendant who provides drinks and snacks, makes up the beds, and deals with any problems that arise enroute.
I'm taking the LSL in less than a month...can't wait!

Posted by CK (Member # 589) on :

I was under the impression that Amtrak had discontinued the Travel Guide in yet another cost cutting measure. Am I wrong or did they start to publish it again. I always thought it was a good tool to lure the vacation traveler.
Sometimes I think Amtrak forgets the motto, "you have to spend money to make money."

Posted by UncleBuck44 (Member # 2049) on :

Mr.Toy I know one of my parents dislike's is a train that is very late.

Stlboomer, I doubt my parents would fall for an Amtrak book report for school because I leave for New York the 1st of August and return the 6th and school starts three weeks later.
Also We've taken the train from St. Louis to San Antonio and back before, they loved it.

DaisyBumble, I'm going to tell them these are new types of sleeping cars compared to Supliners, maybe that could help.
Also when do you leave on the LSL, where and from.

Three Things I plan to tell them:
1-Delays on this train mean nothing because you're already on the train and not waiting in an amshack in the middle of the night for it to arrive.
2-The sleeping accomadations are different from those of a superliner.(We've taken Superliners everywhere but no Viewliners)
3-Amtrak needs our help and this could be the end for them and I would like to go for one last hurrah(even if they look to be doing good soon, I'll still lie)
4-Let's make it 4, I always like sleeping on the bottom bed to look out the window but now sinces there's a window up top I'll sleep in the top bed so my mom or dad can be comfortable.

Posted by jp1822 (Member # 2596) on :

"I'm going to tell them these are new types of sleeping cars compared to Supliners, maybe that could help. Also when do you leave on the LSL, where and from."

----> Go onto www.amtrak.com if you want and you can get a "virtual reality tour" of a sleeping car. Not sure if it is a Viewliner or Superliner (or both), never actually done it. Daisybumble basically has described what you an conclude from the words and pictures you obtain from the Amtrak Vacation Planner.

"Three Things I plan to tell them:
1-Delays on this train mean nothing because you're already on the train and not waiting in an amshack in the middle of the night for it to arrive."

----> Yes, and keep in mind first class passengers have access to the "First Class Lounge," so make sure you go there to wait for your train. Ask an Amtrak employee in the station where the lounges are. They are usually open late (more so in Chicago than NY). You should be fine for the trip though. Both New York and Chicago have First Class Lounges. When you check in at the Lounge desk just tell the attendant what train you are on - and they will announce accordingly (plus there are screens in the lounges showing arrival and departure times). The lounges are comfortable - drinks and snacks for free, private bathrooms, Internet capability, comfortable chairs. The Chicago Lounge is nicer than the New York Lounge though. I have liked the westbound Lake Shore the best - often affords better scenery in daylight (upstate New York).

2-The sleeping accomadations are different from those of a superliner.(We've taken Superliners everywhere but no Viewliners).

---> Yes, different experience on a Viewliner, but similar configuration.

3- I would like to go for one last hurrah

----> I often tell myself and friends this and it could be the truth! I have actually taken the Southwest Chief, Empire Builder, Texas Eagle, CA Zephyr for just this purpose.

4-Let's make it 4, I always like sleeping on the bottom bed to look out the window but now sinces there's a window up top I'll sleep in the top bed so my mom or dad can be comfortable.

----> How many people are traveling - 3? Squeezing three people into a standard Viewliner, or two adults in the bottom bunk, is a little rough in my opinion. The beds on the Viewliner are still configured for single people and actually narrow out at the end. I could potentially see squeezing three people into Deluxe room, as the lower bed is larger, but even that's tight. Again, my personal opinion. Lake Shore sells out quickly and Deluxe rooms are hard to get.

Hope this all works out for you, though.

LSL Eastbound Schedule (CHI to NYP): 7:00 p.m. departure, 1:50 p.m. arrival to NYP.

LSL Westbound Schedule (NYP to CHI): 2:50 departure out of NYP, 9:10 a.m. arrival to Chicago.

You can go to www.amtrak.com and fill out the "Fast Finder" section to the right. Station code for New York City - NYP, station code for Chicago - CHI. You can see what your connection times are by entering to and from New York and St Louis.

Posted by UncleBuck44 (Member # 2049) on :

4 people. Two Bedrooms