The Capitol Limted I see goes up to Cleveland and then follows the same route as the Lake Shore Ltd.
Why is this not also considered a late train then?
Do less things tend to go wrong between DC and Cleveland as opposed to NYC and Cleveland via the northern route?
Thanks!
Posted by EmpireBuilder (Member # 2036) on :
I'm not sure what you're asking exactly. What I do know is that when I've been looking at trips lately to stations served by both of those trains, both trains have advisories attached to them about their tendancy to be late.
Posted by D. David (Member # 4055) on :
This is true, but one of them tends to have more of a reputation for tardiness over the other. That's the impression I've gotten anyway.
Posted by Geoff M (Member # 153) on :
I *think* the LSL route is more congested but can't be too sure. IIRC both routes are largely double track. Perhaps turn-around times (or lack of) at Chicago and NYC/DC are a factor?
Geoff M.
Posted by train lady (Member # 3920) on :
Geoff, your comment does make sense. It seems to me there is probably more freight going to NY and upper Pa. than to DC. In my experience ( and I am only one person) #29 is not usually much late. the worst lateness seems to come when CSX decides to work on the tracks beween Harpers Ferry and DC. The same thinking would apply going west. I can't count the times we were almost to Chi and on time and then we sat for 30-40- or more minutes while freight trains were "toing and froing ", lining up etc.
Posted by DeeCT (Member # 3241) on :
My experience has been that west bound on the LSL is generally on time or close to on time. East bound --- now that is another tale. Usually it is the result of leaving out of Chicago late (due to connecting trains arriving late from the west. - or so they tell us.) As the trip continues it falls further and further behind due to "missing the windows" and freight. East bound has often meant a free box lunch for those of us on the Boston section of this train.When the train leaves out of Chicago on time it generally makes it to my stop (Springfield, MA) within a half hour of schedule.