I will be arriving in Atlanta on #19 on a Thursday morning and departing Atlanta on #20 (1st class) on the next Saturday evening. I have checked luggage for a couple of hours there before (for free!) but I wonder if I can check (as in stash) it there in between those two trips rather than lug it on a bus, Marta to the airport, a van to Columbus and back again in 2 days. Does anyone know or know how to get the local phone number at the station in Atlanta? Thanks.
Posted by stlboomer (Member # 2028) on :
According to Fodors, the number for the Atlanta Amtrak station is 404 881-3060.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
Let us know what you find out. The information will certainly be useful to someone else!
Posted by MDRR (Member # 2992) on :
Depending on what type of response you get from the ticket office, Another option would be to check the baggage to Atlanta on your inbound trip and then just not claim it till your return trip. Some type of scenario like that may help.
Posted by train lady (Member # 3920) on :
IF YOU CHECK IT AND DON'T CLAIM IT FOR SEVERAL DAYS YOU HAD BETTER FIND OUT HOW LONG UNCHECKED BAGGAGE CAN REMAIN. THERE IS A LIMIT ON UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE BUT I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT IT IS.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Although your profile, Mr. City, might suggest you practice a minimalist lifestyle, there are times and places for simply renting an auto. This appears to be one such.
Two rental days for $100 would appear to save $1,000 worth of hassle, but then, if your namesake train were still around, I guess that would solve all problems, save a "wee hour' arrival and departure.
Posted by City of Miami (Member # 2922) on :
Gee, Mr. Norman, I never really thought of that. As you supposed, that would be very much against my nature. I am committed to and content with public transportation. IIRC it was The Man of War that ran from Columbus to Atlanta daily when I was a child. I remember a big picture of the racehorse in the waiting room of the depot. I don't think the City of Miami ran through Atlanta. It came to Columbus either from Birmingham (SB) or Jacksonville (NB)
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
Hi City,
I imagine there was a presumption that you might be traveling from the west coast via Chicago and Washington.
In that case, the 'City of Miami' could have shaved a night off your trip by taking you from Chicago directly to Columbus, GA!
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
I guess we should note that #9 the "'Nole" (shorthand for the Indian Nation, which in all likelihood Anna Nicole OD'd yesterday) would have afforded you a same day connection at Chi with any of the road's "flagship" trains and dropped you in Columbus during "people hours'(125P). However, the 6-6-4 IC Sleeper would likely have been the only lightweight car in the consist (at least there, the Roomettes were "center car"; unlike the 6-4-6 successor).
But then, Mr. City, you still would have had cooked on board Dining service, but no Domes or Obs.
Posted by City of Miami (Member # 2922) on :
Oh. OK, I get it.
Actually I'm flying from SFO to Charlotte. Then taking the Carolinian up to Durham. Then the Crescent (as mentioned above) from Greensboro to Atlanta. And then Crescent, Cardinal and Zephyr back to CA. The latter leg is my AGR special 3zonesforthe priceof2 which depends on originating in ATL.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
quote:Originally posted by City of Miami: Oh. OK, I get it.
Actually I'm flying from SFO to Charlotte. Then taking the Carolinian up to Durham. Then the Crescent (as mentioned above) from Greensboro to Atlanta. And then Crescent, Cardinal and Zephyr back to CA. The latter leg is my AGR special 3zonesforthe priceof2 which depends on originating in ATL.
Ah.......now it makes sense.
We're looking forward to your trip report and I am particularly interested in your reaction to the recently renovated and reopened Southern Railway station in Greensboro. It's not a huge building but it is a very welcome change to the 26 years Amtrak worked out of a cinderblock box down by the freight yard!
Have a great trip!
Posted by CHATTER (Member # 1185) on :
I agree with Mr. Norman. The hassles far outweigh any benefits of utilizing public transportation.
I can almost guarantee you that the answer to your inquiry would be negative. As one who regularly uses the Atlanta station, I can also assure you that even someone there told you that it could be arranged, that would be no guarantee that the luggage would be there when you returned. The staff there is only marginally pleasant and/or knowledgeable, and do not always communicate with one another. One person's response may not equal another's.