Interested , best scenery, dining and sleeper accom. and arriving relatively on time.
We will be returning on Cardinal to Cinti.
I welcome all ideas.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
posted
Even though I prefer the Superliner equipment assigned to the Capitol Limited but since you note scenery is a factor in your choice, I will go with the Lake Shore.
"Simplified Dining Service' tastes the same "adequate" whether served in a single level Heritage (one such is now 60 years old) Diner or a Superliner.
However, to enjoy the "show" of both the Mohawk and Hudson rivers, your accomodation should be on the Engineer's side for the EB journey. Whether or not that be the case is simply a "crapshoot'; sharing a room number or letter here at the forum means nothing as only the Chicago Yardmaster knows whether your car will be placed A-End or B-End forward in the consist.
But regardless of which train you use, do NOT, repeat DO NOT schedule any public event, sports, concert, theatre, etc, the evening of your arrival. Last minute "catch as catch can" is of course something else.
wannacruise Member # 4471
posted
Thank You for the pointers. Any ideas as to how late train CAN arrive? Is one more likely to run late than the other?
I know on the Cardinal there isn't a Dining Car, but on a train with a Dining Car the is the food still a "quick fix" ?
Thanks You, ML
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
posted
"Brief passage" from copyrighted material posted at another site:
If this is correct all I can say is W O W !!! Why even have a schedule? thanks ML
sojourner Member # 3134
posted
I like the scenery on the Capitol Ltd a lot, but I've only taken it east to west. (It leaves Chicago too early for me west to east.) But east to west, the stop in Harpers Ferry is gorgeous and Martinsburg (old buildings on right) really nice and interesting and the whole run that first night, through W Va/Maryland, is really pretty. I also find it exciting to go through the Cumberland Gap!
The scenery on the Lakeshore Ltd is nice especially in the last 2 1/2 hours, between Albany and NYC, when it runs along the Hudson (and maybe also on the Boston branch after Albany; never been on that so I cannot say!). For the branch to NYC, sit on the right side facing forward south of Albany if at all possible. You pass a lot of history that way too, West Point, Sing-Sing, and so on.
As far as times, right now there are announced delays due to trackwork on the Lakeshore Ltd. I think there are more on certain days but am not sure! They also had flooding there a few weeks ago; I'm sure that didn't help!
OTOH, the last time I took the Capitol Ltd westbound, the Lakeshore Ltd got in on just an hour or so late to Chicago but the Capitaol Ltd was 2 1/2 hours late. So, who knows about the time! It's all the luck of the draw. . . .
As far as the equipment, I think the views are nicer on the upper level of Superliner equipment, and you have the observation car. But I like the actual roomettes on the Viewliner better because they are a tad bigger and you have your own toilet!!! There is NOTHING like having your own toilet. . ..
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
posted
quote:Originally posted by wannacruise: Am I understanding correct?
OT % = % of ON TIME arrivals
3' 2" = 3 hrs and 2 min
? ? ?
If this is correct all I can say is W O W !!! Why even have a schedule? thanks ML
You dig it straight, Ms. M L Wannacruise. Best you know the facts of life before making a go-no/go decision.
notelvis Member # 3071
posted
quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman:
quote:Originally posted by wannacruise: Am I understanding correct?
OT % = % of ON TIME arrivals
3' 2" = 3 hrs and 2 min
? ? ?
If this is correct all I can say is W O W !!! Why even have a schedule? thanks ML
You dig it straight, Mr. Wannacruise. Best you know the facts of life before making a go-no/go decision.
I have just returned from a brief three-day fact finding mission. (My tale of woe will be up in another thread shortly.) During my trip I did not observe a single Amtrak train operating over CSX lines to be OT. This ranged from a low of 20 minutes on a regional train originating in Richmond, VA to a more than ten hour late northbound 'Silver Star'.
For peace of mind, Mr. Norman's advice to not schedule any same-day obligations on the receiving end of your journey is sound.
NYP - Chi LSL Roomette (our first) arrive 9am Leave Chi 7:45pm
Chi - Cin Cardinal roomette arrive 5 am.
I don't think time will be a problem for us, but I do have a couple of questions:
Will a first class (sleeper) passenger, get additional meals if a train is late into the next meal time?
I welcome any tips on the train travel portion or must dos in the Big Apple.
Thanks for your help the forum was very helpful.
ML (Mrs)
ehbowen Member # 4317
posted
quote:Originally posted by wannacruise: Will a first class (sleeper) passenger, get additional meals if a train is late into the next meal time?
Yes, they will feed sleeping car passengers during normal meal hours until you get to your destination, regardless of how late you are--as long as the food holds out! If this should occur, better be prepared for the more popular meal items to be sold out the later you get.
----Eric, who just returned from a West Coast trip on the Sunset Limited and whose party of 11 received an unscheduled meal both going and returning.
notelvis Member # 3071
posted
This sounds like an interesting circle trip. The roomette on the Lake Shore, while tiny, will seem like wonderful private suite after 18 hours in coach on the Cardinal!
Have fun and let us know how it went when you return to the Queen City.
sojourner Member # 3134
posted
Well, I've usually been fed when late, but not always. When I took a late Silver Star from NYC to Miami this January, they did not serve us dinner. They also did not give us vouchers for the snack bar--they said we could use it before it closed (it closed in West Palm Beach) but we had to PAY.
And we did not get into Miami until after 9 PM! I don't know that they ran out of food either; it seemed more like they just felt like closing up shop for the few of us left south of West Palm Beach (a lot of people had gotten off in Orland and Tampa).
Anyway, it was really tacky of them, so I phoned and complained afterward, and between that and the tardiness, we did get a partial voucher for the trip.
I've also seen them run out of food even for scheduled meals--once on the Lakeshore Ltd they had no eggs for breakfast!
Re Big Apple Tips: happy to give some, but there's so much to do there, it woud be best to know what sort of things interest you, how long you'll be there, also the season. . . .
Geoff M Member # 153
posted
I've been on a 5 hour late train that arrived mid-afternoon - nothing was served, and they didn't have much left anyway.
However, on a 7-hour late Zephyr, everybody (coach included) got given beef stew. No choice, just tinned beef stew on paper plates with plastic cutlery. Having said that, it was perfectly edible and adequate for me.
In days gone by the conductor would phone ahead for some food from a caterer or a fast food place. I'm not sure this happens any more!
posted