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Tentatively, I am planning a trip from Pittsburgh to Chicago, then on through to California.
I prefer the Capitol over the Three Rivers to Chicago because of its later arrival time into Chicago----according to the WINTER 2004 schedule.
Anyhow, while attempting to book the trip (for early this June) on the Amtrak website, only train 41 (the Three Rivers) was listed as an option TO Chicago----and NOT the Capitol.
Is there a reason for this ? I doubt it is because the Capitol is soldout. I thought perhaps it might be something to do with the new Spring time-table and a possible schedule change for the Capitol to/from Chicago. Then I thought this was unlikely.
Does anyone have a clue as to what the "story" is ?
If absolutely necessary, I will take the Three Rivers to Chicago. But I am curious as to why the Capitol is not offered as a choice for either early June or July.
Thoughts ?
TALKrr Member # 683
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Sorry:
I forgot to mention that I wanted either a Standard or Deluxe sleeper on the Capitol.
Could THAT be the reason ?
CG96 Member # 1408
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Right now, I don't know. I went to the Amtrak website, input a couple of pairs of dates, and noticed the same thing - with the exception the the Capitol Limited appears as a return choice to PGH. It could be something with the algorithm of the website program, but if it were working the way that many people (including, one would think, computer programmers) then it should display the Capitol Limited as a choice in both directions. It may be programmed to offer the choice which will get one to one's destination at the earliest time (in which case, that would be the 3 Rivers. The Capitol is scheduled to arrive Chicago @ 10:35 am). funny, when I booked my trip RDW - PHL, it offered the Capitol Ltd in both directions, yet the only time the 3 rivers was mentioned on the web page was westbound. hmmm . . .
jp1822 Member # 2596
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Call Amtrak direct at 1-800-USA-RAIL and book through a rep, rather than the website. Definitely odd that the website is not showing this as a possibility, but I have seen worse glitches happen.
mr williams Member # 1928
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Just a thought - I know I'm probably stating the obvious, but doesn't the Capitol only run three days a week? Is it possible that the date you entered was one of the days when it doesn't run which is why it isn't coming up?
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Mr. Williams - no, the Capitol operates daily. You're thinking of the Cardinal, which only runs 3 days a week.
mr williams Member # 1928
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Thanks RRRich - you're quite right, I was confusing it with the Cardinal. I've never travelled any of the eastern routes so that's something to bear in mind for when I do get around to it. Mind you, I'm still (forlornly!)hoping for the Meridian Star to come into service.
TALKrr Member # 683
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Sorry, guys , I made the mistake of entering the wrong departure time from Pittsburgh for the Capitol. When I made the correction, the Capitol DID show up as a possibility.
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Why wait for the Crescent Star? As I understand it, it'll be a portion off the Crescent that goes to Fort Worth instead of New Orleans. Unless you're particularly fond of Dulux paint factories specialising in solid walls of green, there's not a great deal to see in northern Louisiana / east Texas.
As you can tell, I found the Crescent somewhat dull for scenery. If I was going from NYC to Dallas, I'd take the Cardinal to Chicago and then the Eagle down to Dallas - much more scenic!
Geoff M.
mr williams Member # 1928
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True, but the other part of the Crescent Star plan was that the Sunset would reroute from Houston up to Dallas. The Crescent Star (like the Eagle) would have a through carriage to join the Sunset and thus establish a genuine New York - LA through service.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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A through coach? Are you sure? The Crescent uses single level Viewliner equipment whereas the Sunset uses dual level Superliners. Without a transition sleeper in between, you can't bo from one to the other.
Geoff M.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Good point, Geoff! You are absolutely right about the Viewliner-Superliner transition. BTW, I thought the proposed Sunset reroute would also involve rerouting from El Paso to Dallas through Abilene, as well as then turning back south toward Houston (seems like that would be a CONSIDERABLY longer route....)
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