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I am planning a solo train trip from Philadelphia to Chicago and was wondering which route would offer the best scenery and overall experience. Cardinal goes straight from Philly to Chicago, while if I go for Capitol I'll be taking either a regional route to DC first or the Pennsylvanian to Pittsburgh before connecting to the Capitol route. I will be riding coach and food quality/availability doesn't matter too much to me.
Any input you can give will be appreciated!
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Since you plan to ride coach, Ms. Hadel (?), the 41-PGH-29 connection is not out of the question and represents the most direct way to get there.
I think The Cardinal is the most scenic route, but it is indeed circuituous. Riding Coach, 'arewethereyetitis' could easily set in.
Lastly, if at all possible, I would hope you would consider Sleeper. While such would likely treble the cost of your transportation, it would add ten fold to your travel experience and afford reasonable expectation of enjoyment out of what otherwise in my estimation (250K lifetime rail miles to my name) will simply be an endurance contest.
notelvis Member # 3071
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You don't mention whether you will be going roundtrip or just one way on the train.
If roundtrip, my inclination would be taking the 'Pennsylvanian' westward to Pittsburgh and changing to the 'Capitol Limited' there. For the return I would take the 'Cardinal' eastbound because you get the full ride through the New River Gorge in WV by daylight coming eastbound.
Finally, if you do consider sleeper as Mr. Norman suggests (and I would second that suggestion at least one way), you will likely find better sleeping car rates on the 'Capitol' as that train has more than twice the sleeping car space available. I would also suggest that the additional fare from DC would not be signficantly higher than the additional fare from Pittsburgh. If you do look into sleeper, plan to take the regional to DC and depart westward on the 'Capitol' there......for the extra complimentary meal!
Have a great trip and let us know how it went when you return.......and welcome to the forum also.
sojourner Member # 3134
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I have never been on the Cardinal and cannot comment on it, except to say that I'd love to take it eastbound myself, only it would involve a stayover in DC, which is why I never do. But I really want to; I suspect it is one of the more endangered Amtrak trains and needs patronage. It only runs 3 days a week.
One nice thing about taking a Regional to DC and catching the westbound Capitol Ltd there is that you can leave earlier in the day on your regional and get some free time to walk around in DC, lunch there, etc. Many excellent (and free) Smithsonian museums are walking distance (at least for me).
If you are going round trip, do follow David's advice and try to go one way and return another; it will be much more fun.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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As Gilbert said, the Cardinal is the more scenic route between DC and Chicago, but it is longer. If you ride the Cardinal eastbound, not only will you see the New River Gorge by daylight, but also the route follows the Ohio River for a couple hundred miles in Kentucky, by daylight, and that part too is quite scenic.
train lady Member # 3920
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For years we took the CApital west and the Cardinal east. We have gone through several name changes with it...The George Washington and the James Whitcomb Riley. The scenery was the reason.In addition to those places already mentioned there is Charlotttesville and the piedmont of Va. But we no longer take that train because there is no checked baggage or diner(unless there has been a change lately).The diner we can live without but I am not going to drag 3 weeks worth of baggage with me.
Geoff M Member # 153
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My vote is for the Cardinal also. However, is it still running without a full diner service (or indeed *any* diner as train lady suggests)? Cold sarnies on polystyrene trays is not my idea of service, compared to plated hot meals whilst alongside the New River.
The Cardinal doesn't have stellar timekeeping but if you're not in a rush then just enjoy it.
Don't worry about the sleeper. If you can afford it then definitely go for it. But don't overstretch yourself for what amounts to "not a lot". One night is quite tolerable for most people.
Geoff M.
notelvis Member # 3071
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I believe, per Chris G's recent ride and trip report, that the first class passengers on the 'Cardinal' receive heated meals in the table section of the Amcafe. While the selection is probably limited to about three choices or so per meal, I would imagine that the quality is not noticeably different from the simplified dining now being offered on most other long-distance trains......the 'Capitol' included.
Sojourner, one thing you may want to consider for a future eastbound 'Cardinal' itinerary would be the Olde Towne Inn in Manassas, VA. This traditional two story 'motor hotel' is an older property but reasonably priced and clean the last time I stayed there. It's two short blocks from the train station and I would suggest staying there off the 'Cardinal' and then catching the 'Crescent' northbound from Manassas the following morning.
dilly Member # 1427
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One note of caution about traveling on the Cardinal in coach: since the train doesn't run every day, I've found that the coaches can be unpleasantly crowded between Chicago and D.C. (and vice-versa), especially during the "nicer months."
When you also factor in the Cardinal's more roundabout route, you might unfortunately discover that your trip, while scenic, turns into a long-haul endurance test -- especially if the train is running late and you're stuck sitting in an aisle seat. Sadly, I speak from experience. So if you don't want to see the last empty window seat claimed by the guy boarding immediately ahead of you, move quickly.
As for the Cardinal's first class food: on the three occasions during the past few years when I've traveled the route by sleeper, the microwaved meals served in the cafe car were awful, and the stuff served to the common folk was even worse.
I suggest you bring your own.
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sojourner Member # 3134
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That's an interesting idea about stopping in Manassas, David. I never thought to check if the Cardinal crossed paths with the Crescent. Is Manassas nice? How far is the Civil War battlefield from downtown? What about Culpeper or Charlottesville? Is the train station right downtown near hotels or motels there too? I have been to Monticello by car years ago but never really saw the whole of Charlottesville, and Culpeper I know is very nice too.
Dilly, I am afraid I've been assuming that the new food on all the Amtrak trains is eventually going to be a lot like what you describe on the Cardinal. I hope I'm wrong! And I am hoping that at least the desserts, which don't require heating, will remain decent.
notelvis Member # 3071
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Hi Sojourner,
I don't know what type of local transit is available in Manassas but you will certainly need that for the battlefield. It's not within walking distance of downtown Manassas......I've merely used that city as a budget alternative to staying over in DC.
Charlottesville would be a nice option as well. The Amtrak station is near the University of Virginia campus. There are a couple of hotels of the Holiday Inn - Sheraton type nearby and there is a degree of local transit.
Interestingly, I've had a number of urges to ride the Cardinal lately and have been passing it over due to the Amcafe only meal service. Now with simplified dining becoming the norm, the Cardinal is becoming less less appealing.
Jerome Nicholson Member # 3116
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If you take the Pennsylvanian to Pittsburgh, you will have some 3-4 hours in that city in the late evening to wait for the "Capitol". If you go to Washington, you will have as much or little time as you want to explore DC in the midday. Even though the "Pennsylvanian" travels thru some nice scenery in Western PA., I'd rather see the "Capitol"'s route along the Potomac thru Harper's Ferry. The "Cardinal" is best taken Eastbound, as the Sun will rise while the train is following the Ohio River in Kentucky. You will have the whole day watching the West Virginia mountain landscape. I'd take a bedroom on the Cardinal, because the Viewliner's double row of windows affords better viewing than the Amfleet coaches' portholes. Of course, there's the problem of seeing only one side of the train, so think try to decide: good windows on one side, or one small window on each side?
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