Christmas Travel via Amtrak
Nov 28th, 2006, 03:06 PM
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Christmas Travel via Amtrak
Hi all. I've been scouring the forum for info on Amtrak travel. I've traveled through the NE corridor before but am embarking on my first LD train travel in 20 years. I'm looking for advice/experiences regarding a RT journey (3-days each way): NY-CHI (Lake Shore Ltd) and CHI-SEA (Empire Builder) for the week of Christmas. What should I pack? What should I be prepared for (best and worst)? Tips from veteran train travelers? etc. I've already booked travel so there's no sense trying to talk me out of it 
Also, can any of you officionados give me a sense of the likelihood that I will make my connections (four hours between trains in CHI) and arrive in a timely manner? Thanks.
Oh, PS. I have booked a sleeper for the longer (CHI-SEA) legs.
Also, can any of you officionados give me a sense of the likelihood that I will make my connections (four hours between trains in CHI) and arrive in a timely manner? Thanks.
Oh, PS. I have booked a sleeper for the longer (CHI-SEA) legs.
Nov 28th, 2006, 04:24 PM
#3
Bring a few good books and magazines to read. Pack some snacks, bottled water, and wine to set up your sleeper cabin more comfortably. Maybe even your own pillow. An Ipod or DVD player is you have them for music and movies. Basically I'm addressing two issues... your comfort and entertainment to pass the time.
Nov 28th, 2006, 05:09 PM
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I am assuming you are talking about Chicago to Seattle? I would strongly suggest you bring some toilet paper with you. The worse? If the experiences that I have had and family members have had smooshie I would anticipate that the train will be quite late. I love train rides but I am not a fan of Amtrak. I am certainly not trying to talk you out of it but just be prepared for delays, lack of food (do pack some snacks and bottled water). And have fun..hope you will give us a trip report.
Nov 28th, 2006, 05:38 PM
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You Will Love it!
Just dont be in a hurry.
The sleeper was needed for the overniter
The attendent will usally keep you in snacks and the meals provided are quite good.
We pack very causal clothes or PJs for the cabin and dress up for the meals in the diner.
sleepers also get first choice at diner reservations.
I Give the Atendent half or all the tip when they introduce thereselves
and have always had good service
Just dont be in a hurry.
The sleeper was needed for the overniter
The attendent will usally keep you in snacks and the meals provided are quite good.
We pack very causal clothes or PJs for the cabin and dress up for the meals in the diner.
sleepers also get first choice at diner reservations.
I Give the Atendent half or all the tip when they introduce thereselves
and have always had good service
Nov 28th, 2006, 06:16 PM
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Thanks for the replies so far. I'm prepared to be patient --I have done long greyhound (20+hrs) before-- and loooove to read. I'm also taking my knitting and my laptop which has a DVD player. I will be with my boyfriend so we'll keep each other company. But my biggest concern now is making my connection in Chicago. We have 4 1/2 hrs to connect, and the train for the first leg is often late. If we miss it, Amtrak will put us up. But we may not be able to get on another train (we get into CHI on the 21st of DEC!) the next day, and we probably certainly won't be able to get a sleeper. But at this point, I'm just going to pray on it! Does anyone have any experience with missed connections on Amtrak?
Nov 29th, 2006, 04:24 PM
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One major factor that plays a part will be your level of expectations regarding the trip itself. For those who are expecting a super deluxe trip, I would recommend taking a trip on The American Orient Express. If your expectations are for a trip that involves spending time with significant people in your life, just aboard a train, then Amtrak may be for you. The host railroads also can impact your trip. Some railroads are hostile to any pasenger trains (including commuter) on their rails while other make a good faith effort to get Amtrak along the way. Stiull other railraods are totally apathetic and indifferent to Amtrak's presence on their rails. I don't know who the landlord railroad is in the case of the route between Chicago and NYC, but on the Empire Builder, the landlords are Canadian Pacific between CHI and St. Paul, MN, and Burlington Northern Santa Fe from St. Paul to the West Coast. Both railraods as of this date are two of the "good faith" rails that I described previously. I'm not so sure regarding the route east of Chicago.
Frieght traffic congestion could also play a factor as well. Many RR routes are nearing or at capacity currently, and this has effects on your train punctuality. The freight rr's don't always publicize how busy they are, and some here have been surprised to learn just how much freight traffic there is on North American railroads.
One tip: relax. You could take this trip on the highways, and have to deal with inattentive drivers, and traffic jams, so let Amtrak do the driving. Bring a book or two to read. As you are crossing Big Sky country, pull out that book on Louis and Clark, and make certain to look out the window. You will also notice that most of your fellow passengers are going from one intermediate stop to another intermediate stop, and not end-point to end-point. That is different than air travel, which is focussed upon the end-points of the routes and not the middle stops. Have a meal in the dining car, as your sleeper fare includes the costs of the meals.
Frieght traffic congestion could also play a factor as well. Many RR routes are nearing or at capacity currently, and this has effects on your train punctuality. The freight rr's don't always publicize how busy they are, and some here have been surprised to learn just how much freight traffic there is on North American railroads.
One tip: relax. You could take this trip on the highways, and have to deal with inattentive drivers, and traffic jams, so let Amtrak do the driving. Bring a book or two to read. As you are crossing Big Sky country, pull out that book on Louis and Clark, and make certain to look out the window. You will also notice that most of your fellow passengers are going from one intermediate stop to another intermediate stop, and not end-point to end-point. That is different than air travel, which is focussed upon the end-points of the routes and not the middle stops. Have a meal in the dining car, as your sleeper fare includes the costs of the meals.
Nov 29th, 2006, 05:55 PM
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When I went across the US by train Washington DC--> Chicago --> San Francisco, I had about 4 1/2 hours to connect in Chicago. The DC --> Chicago train was 2 hours late and I made the SF-bound train no problem.
On the way back though San Francisco--> Chicago--> Buffalo(Toronto), I knew I had 5 hours to make my connection, but I also knew that with well over 2 days of travel between SF and Chicago and the record of delays on the California Zephyr train that 5 hrs+ late was a possibility. So I decided to spend 24 hrs. in Chicago (a city I didn't know well) before continuing on to Buffalo. I enjoyed my stay in Chicago and didn't worry about missing my connection (even though I would have made it, by one hour!). Just a thought (if you're able to change the date of your ticket).
Alternatively, check a few times before you go (in the morning before the Lakeshore Limited is due to arrive) under "Train Status" on Amtrak's home page, when it's due to arrive in Chicago. Today, I see it's due to arrive 43 minutes late in Chicago... you would easily make your Seattle connection were you on today's train.
I like to bring a good page-turning novel; knitting was a great conversation-starter when I did the Transcanadian train; sudoku helps fill in those quiet moments. But honestly I found between meals, the evening movies and best of all, looking out at our diverse and amazing North American scenery and chatting with my fascinating fellow passengers, I was happy as a clam.
Hope you enjoy your trip! Best wishes, DAN
On the way back though San Francisco--> Chicago--> Buffalo(Toronto), I knew I had 5 hours to make my connection, but I also knew that with well over 2 days of travel between SF and Chicago and the record of delays on the California Zephyr train that 5 hrs+ late was a possibility. So I decided to spend 24 hrs. in Chicago (a city I didn't know well) before continuing on to Buffalo. I enjoyed my stay in Chicago and didn't worry about missing my connection (even though I would have made it, by one hour!). Just a thought (if you're able to change the date of your ticket).
Alternatively, check a few times before you go (in the morning before the Lakeshore Limited is due to arrive) under "Train Status" on Amtrak's home page, when it's due to arrive in Chicago. Today, I see it's due to arrive 43 minutes late in Chicago... you would easily make your Seattle connection were you on today's train.
I like to bring a good page-turning novel; knitting was a great conversation-starter when I did the Transcanadian train; sudoku helps fill in those quiet moments. But honestly I found between meals, the evening movies and best of all, looking out at our diverse and amazing North American scenery and chatting with my fascinating fellow passengers, I was happy as a clam.
Hope you enjoy your trip! Best wishes, DAN
Nov 30th, 2006, 07:31 AM
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The common thread so far is 'relax'. While I find that I'm the kind of traveler that can keep a smile through most hassles, I'm also a die-hard planner. I don't care how late my trains are, as long as I make my connection. Which means I guess that I do care how late the trains are! Thanks for the info about freight trains WICT, I'd heard before that they account for many of AMTRAK's delays.
Another question. Can anyone speak to the availability of power outlets on AMTRAK? I know there will be outlets in our sleeper, but we will be spending one night each way in coach. Are most LD trains equipped with outlets at each coach seat?
Another question. Can anyone speak to the availability of power outlets on AMTRAK? I know there will be outlets in our sleeper, but we will be spending one night each way in coach. Are most LD trains equipped with outlets at each coach seat?
Nov 30th, 2006, 08:12 AM
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From my Chicago - Emeryville trip and talking to other travelers, I'd advise you this.
If you have any hotel reservations, make sure you have all their phone numbers on-hand and a cell phone with good reception. I've met people who's rooms were sold as they didn't make it on time to their B&Bs.
For all intermediate stations, have a list of hotels with phone numbers, in case you've missed the connection and need a good night sleep. Amtrak may accomodate you, may not.
Bring lots of snacks, and I mean a lot, even for sleeper travelers they run out of food 1/2 way into the journey. Desserts disappear first.
Bring your own shampoo - we didn't have any in the shower. Plenty of soap and towels, though.
Look out for what they put out - free water, juices. Visit the Amtrak lounges, they give away cookies, coffee, pretzels.
Bring $1 bills for tips after every meal - yeah, they expect that. Also the conductor expects a tip at the end of the journey, but only in a sleeper car.
I do remember power outlets in the coach, but can't recall if they are at each seat or only downstairs.
Maybe you need phone numbers of taxi companies at your destinations? Our train was 7 hours late, instead of 6 pm arrived at 1 am - at night!! I was lucky it was my city, and I knew where to catch a taxi, so I had to tell the Amtrak connecting bus driver where is the safest stop so all passengers can get taxis
If you have any hotel reservations, make sure you have all their phone numbers on-hand and a cell phone with good reception. I've met people who's rooms were sold as they didn't make it on time to their B&Bs.
For all intermediate stations, have a list of hotels with phone numbers, in case you've missed the connection and need a good night sleep. Amtrak may accomodate you, may not.
Bring lots of snacks, and I mean a lot, even for sleeper travelers they run out of food 1/2 way into the journey. Desserts disappear first.
Bring your own shampoo - we didn't have any in the shower. Plenty of soap and towels, though.
Look out for what they put out - free water, juices. Visit the Amtrak lounges, they give away cookies, coffee, pretzels.
Bring $1 bills for tips after every meal - yeah, they expect that. Also the conductor expects a tip at the end of the journey, but only in a sleeper car.
I do remember power outlets in the coach, but can't recall if they are at each seat or only downstairs.
Maybe you need phone numbers of taxi companies at your destinations? Our train was 7 hours late, instead of 6 pm arrived at 1 am - at night!! I was lucky it was my city, and I knew where to catch a taxi, so I had to tell the Amtrak connecting bus driver where is the safest stop so all passengers can get taxis
Nov 30th, 2006, 09:28 AM
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Faina has excellent advice; I had to do one of her suggestions on my California Zephyr ride, call my guest house from the train because I arrived 5 hours late (after closing!). Some kind soul let me borrow their cell phone thank goodness, because I don't own one. I understand that the California Zephyr (CHI-SF) has typically more significant delays than the Empire Builder.
One additional suggestion is to be sure to pack your own razor; there actually happened to be one in the lounge car with a few other toiletries, but you might not be so lucky. The food lasted on my train until SF, although the options diminished on the last day.
Smooshie, from what I can tell, I think you will PROBABLY make your connection in Chicago, maybe even with plenty of time to spare. 4 1/2 hours would be *very late* for what is a 18 hour train ride. (Chicago Union Station if you do have time to spare is centrally located, fun to explore the immediate surroundings (although maybe less so in winter).) But it's always good to think "what would I do if...". I can't tell you exactly what would happen for your circumstance, but I do know that the people on the SF-Chicago train missed their connection to St. Louis and Amtrak made arrangements for them (in the form of a bus that met the St. Louis-bound train).
Do let us know how it goes.
Best wishes, DAN
One additional suggestion is to be sure to pack your own razor; there actually happened to be one in the lounge car with a few other toiletries, but you might not be so lucky. The food lasted on my train until SF, although the options diminished on the last day.
Smooshie, from what I can tell, I think you will PROBABLY make your connection in Chicago, maybe even with plenty of time to spare. 4 1/2 hours would be *very late* for what is a 18 hour train ride. (Chicago Union Station if you do have time to spare is centrally located, fun to explore the immediate surroundings (although maybe less so in winter).) But it's always good to think "what would I do if...". I can't tell you exactly what would happen for your circumstance, but I do know that the people on the SF-Chicago train missed their connection to St. Louis and Amtrak made arrangements for them (in the form of a bus that met the St. Louis-bound train).
Do let us know how it goes.
Best wishes, DAN
Dec 2nd, 2006, 07:44 AM
#12
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Thanks FAINA, DAN and all for the great tips. I definitely know what to pack now (toilet paper is at the top of the list!) and I am a bit more informed as to the likelihood of delays, so that's good. For me, the trip is about AMTRAK. I grew up in seattle so that's not the main event. I have seen alot of very good and VERY bad reviews of amtrak on a number of sites, and I'm totally prepared for the adventure. I enjoy the diversity of opinion and really look forward to posting a trip report when I return!
