RAILforum: Adirondak

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Posted by JonA (Member # 2690) on :

Had business in Platsburgh NY and took the train from ALB to PLB cause I hate to drive and love the train. I have never taken the train north before. Let me tell you that this was one of the prettiest rides that I have taken. Between Saratoga, NY and Plattsburgh the scenery rivaled that I saw on the Zephyr trip I took this past summer. Just spectacular views of the valley leading to Lake Champlain then hugging the lake shoreline for nearly the lenght of the lake.

Luckily, my business was done in time to catch the train back, rather than the commuter flight I had booked. It was worth losing the 100 buck plane fare to avoid sitting around at the airport waiting for a 4PM flight and instead spending the time on the train enjoying scenery and arriving back at ALB (and my car) sooner than the airplane would have allowed me.

Toss in the fact that the foliage was peak and just indescribable, and the crew was top notch and so courteous.

$33 bucks each way, but only one train a day so you would have to spend the night. I would reccomend the Comfort inn with a nice pub and room for 70 bucks, then go home the next day.

If you live on the Hudson River, or within a reasonable distance from ALB, do this within the week and you will see fall colors that are impressive. If you do it any other time I bet you will be pleased.

WOW!

Jon

Posted by dilly (Member # 1427) on :

I traveled on the Adirondack recently and definitely agree. And if you take the train from its New York City starting point to its Montreal end point, as I did, it's even more rewarding.

I didn't find the personnel any better or worse than an "average" Amtrak crew.

But the scenery! The trip along the Hudson River, through the Adirondack Mountains, and along Lake Champlain rivals any Amtrak route out west -- including the nicest segments of the Coast Starlight.

[This message has been edited by dilly (edited 10-17-2003).]