Amtak's official minimum transfer time is 1 hour. My wife and I are traveling from Milwaukee to Flagstaff and would like to make the train 336 to train 3 transfer in Chicago on a Sunday. This is a scheduled 46 minute transfer time. Has anyone done this? Can it be done reasonably? Thanks, Greg
[This message has been edited by Greg16 (edited 02-27-2004).]
Posted by GrandmaJudy (Member # 2467) on :
Don't do it - take an earlier train. The Hiawatha is usually very dependable, but when I'm making a long distance train connection in Chicago I want to be SURE I make the connection!
Posted by Mike Smith (Member # 447) on :
I've done that exact same Sunday transfer twice in the last two years. Both times, the Hiawatha arrived on time or early into Chicago.
We easily made our connection. {We were ticketed for the 334, but wanted to leave MKE after 12:00.} In fact, we are booked on that same trip from MKE to the Grand Canyon on May 2.
If you are concerned about it, call the MKE station Sunday morning and ask if there's any anticipated delays for the Hiawatha.
Worst case scenario, if the Hiawatha is delayed enroute, you can ask the conductor to radio ahead and tell Amtrak you are coming. They may, or may not, hold the SW Chief for you.
[This message has been edited by mikesmith (edited 02-28-2004).]
Posted by irish1 (Member # 222) on :
not worth the stress. take the earlier hiawatha. we are probably only talking a few hours earlier. you will have a much more relaxing trip.
------------------ The Copper Country Limited [Milwaukee Road] and the Peninsula 400 [CNW} still my favorites
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
334-CHI-3 is a guaranteed connection. Which means that in the (unlikely) event something goes wrong, Amtrak has a "strong moral' (but not legal) obligation to "take care of you'. This could even mean an ORD/MDW-MCI "catch up" flight.
Take 336, misconnect, and you are "on your own"; this could even result in forfeiture of your Sleeper accomodations charges (the majority of your fare lest we note) as you had not given one week's cancellation notice.
Play it safe!!
[This message has been edited by Gilbert B Norman (edited 02-28-2004).]