wliwl, there aren't really people standing in the aisles like that any more. The info you got on the other forum (about the people standing on the sleeper car) is true for the NE corridor also: it's usually just for a stop or two until seats empty out. And not even in the aisles, at that. (There's a space in the newer cars meant for people in wheelchairs or for luggage, so people wait there for seats to open up.)

What you remember is from the "bad old days" before the trains went all-reserved. (That's what I was referring to when I wrote "it's no longer like the days of yore when people would be standing in all the aisles, leaning on the seat backs of the more fortunate.") Trains were as crowded as you remember every holiday, and on other popular dates, too.

However, it's a fallacy to say that an all-reserve train means that you are guaranteed a seat for your whole ride. And even that it requires a ticket - because I've watched people get on at smaller stations where it's not. (It is required to show your ticket at Penn to get to the platform. But you do not have to at Providence, and can pay once you board for a premium.)

I take the train about once a month, NYP to PVD, Kingston, or BOS and back. As I said before, trains in the middle of the day get delayed for track reconstruction, at least in the temperate months: I am not exaggerating that a train I was on in June was 1 1/2 hours late getting into PVD. The train I took two weeks ago - just an "ordinary" summer Sunday - was sold-out and over-booked. It's great that others have had prompt service on the NE corridor; for me, it's hit or miss.

Ggreen, I believe it re: delay. I was delayed once for an hour and a half in Penn Station. Other times it was for 15-20 minutes, half hour, 45 minutes, etc.

Since the train originates in D.C., it often experiences delays between there and NYC, for whatever reason, often construction.

Sounds like Escargot and his/her daughter have been very lucky!

I have tipped the redcap anywhere between $15 and 30 depending on how many and how much luggage. esp during busy weekends or holidays it is nice to be brought down to the track before the train even arrives and we are seated and settled and then the crowds arrive !

TwoFatFeet: you are not the first to say we have been lucky ! It is so true - we are always so surprised when people talk about delays - and it isn't like my family isn't frequent users - my daughter lives in nyc and husband and I are in Boston and son is in college and the three of us, separately or togethter, are often visiting her or vice versa and/or for business for two of us and except that one instance noted, everything like clockwork !! Everytime I hear these stories I think our luck is running out -

however, we do always take the Acella and not the regional, so maybe that has something to do with it too, I don't know.

escargot, you may be onto something there! I always take the Regional (especially now as a broke student).

One of the problems on the busy NE corridor is congestion: as someone else mentioned (I think?), the rails are shared by Amtrak plus regional commuter lines, so a train originating in D.C. has to contend with SEPTA, NJ Transit, Metro North, plus other Amtrak trains (and maybe freight trains?). I would expect that the Acela gets priority since the tix are at a premium!

As slow as the NE Corridor may be, let me just say- it's much worse anywhere else in the country! I believe since Amtrak owns the NE Corridor while the rest of the country's rails are owned by freight lines that have right-of-way; this subjects Amtrak trains to frequent delays. I take the train pretty frequently, and it was extremely refreshing to leave on-time or almost-on-time in the NE!