Oh and you know how they add cars on the Lake Shore Limited, for Boston/Ny passengers...ok do we stay on the train, as they add to the back and then switch or do we get off and then they tell which passengers go to which car, depending on where they are going?

Ok and how on time.. or not.. are the Southwest Chief and Lake Shore Limited? Would I need to be running just to get to my 7pm train in Chicago because the Southwest Chief is late or actually miss my Chicago train?? Oh and the Southwest Chief leaves at 6:45pm, if I get there at 5:30pm, is that enough time or should I be there early, just in case the Southwest Chief happens to leave earlier? Does the Lake Shore Limited ever leave earlier?

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JONATHON D. ORTIZ

Bathrooms on the Chief will be small, but the bathrooms in the Amfleet coaches on the LSL are a little bigger. There is no real time that's "better" to wash up than others -- of course, obviously in the morning the bathrooms will be more crowded. As I believe Jonathon said, AMTRAK will supply you with a small pillow if you are traveling in coach, but believe me, it is SMALL!!!

In Albany/Rensselaer on the Lake Shore, you don't have to change cars or get off the train. You will be assigned a coach in Chicago in which you will be riding the entire distance to your destination. Some cars go to New York; others go to Boston, so if you stay in your car, you won't have any problems, but of course you are certainly free to get off the train at ALB and walk around -- just make sure you remember where your car is, and get back into the right car.

As far as on-time performance goes, the Chief now arrives in Chicago at 3:20 PM, so you should have ample time to make your 7 PM connection to the LSL. I don't know how the Chief has been running lately; maybe someone else on this board knows, but I believe the Chief is one of the more on-time trains in the system. The Lake Shore Ltd will NOT leave early -- no AMTRAK trains are allowed to leave any station before the scheduled time. If the Chief were that late for some reason, the AMTRAK crew will do whatever they can to get you to your destination, either by putting you in a hotel for the night in CHI, or bussing you from some station outside of CHI to the Lake Shore Ltd. But, as I said, I don't think you will have a problem making the connection you are scheduled for.

Bring a pillow, the coach pillows supplied are not all that wonderful. If you travel often, a neck pillow would be worthwhile buying. You can pick one up in the the auto section of Target or other similar store.

There are four or five restrooms in the car, some larger than others....short waits might happen any time of day.

I have never ridden in a sleeper, it's always coach for me and I have come up with a few good survival tips. I will try to keep this brief.

The best tip is to go buy a bunch of "Wet Ones." This is a splendid product that will help keep you clean and refreshed. "Wet Ones" are small disposable cloths that come in a handy travel packet that is saturated with some sort of mild alcohol solution that will keep microbes from growing on you. By using this product, you will not start to smell like a homeless person after a while.

I would advise you not to check your bags. There is a vestibule on the lower level of the Southwest Chief that will accommodate your large bag. In addition to bringing a wheeled bag, I've gotten into the habit of bringing along my large backpack. It fits handily into the rack above my head for easy access. I also bring along a small bag that carries all my medications, toothbrushes, salves ointments and potions, to bring into the bathroom when I need to "freshen up."

Most bathrooms have coat hooks on which you can hang your "ditty bag" and most bathrooms also have a handy baby changer shelf on which you can put all your stuff. Generally there are plenty of bathrooms to go around (at least on the Southwest Chief) so you really don't have to rush. Bathroom facilities can be somewhat limited on east coast trains however.

Most important thing when you get aboard is to wait until you have given your ticket to the conductor, before you start exploring. It is very unwise to change seats without permission from the conductor.

Bring along a blanket, in addition to an inflatable pillow. I find the zip up fleece bags at Walmart an affordable option. These "bags" are so huge you can cover all your stuff with them when you explore the train, as a security measure. But don't worry, I've never been ripped off. Just keep your stuff fairly well organized and you shouldn't have a problem.

If you have a hard time sleeping, you may want to invest in a sleep masque, to keep the light out of your eyes, earplugs and also sleeping pills. I honestly don't know how some people manage to fall asleep in coach so readily, but I can't without pills. Getting a good night's sleep is so very important.

Have a great trip.

If I remember correctly, most Superliner bathrooms are very small with the exception of the accessible one. On the Lakeshore you'll be dealing with Amfleet equipment (single level) and you will have one ample-sized bathroom (accessible) and one commode-cube (standard) per car.

Best time? The only criteria are when nobody else is in there. Make sure you lock the bathroom doors when you're using them, otherwise there is a placard outside the door that says "vacant."

You should not have to worry about people stealing things out of your bag. It's a train, where can they go? Plus other passengers around will notice someone going into your bag. The most I do is keep the camera out of sight (my camera is borderline fancy) and then I take off.

Rensselaer: The train pulls in to the (brand new) station and stops. Usually an announcement is made for smokers who wish to take a break outside. You will be allowed outside the train when crews are not working on it, but there are "blackout" periods when they prefer to keep people in their train so Boston passengers do not mistakenly reboard the New York section when the two bits of your former train are parked side by side. With this and any other station stop, just follow the rule of thumb- stay within hearing and sight distance of your nearest train employee. They'll usually hang out right by the door.

Recent statistics on the Lakeshore, leaving Chicago:
December 16: 1 hour and 20 minutes late
December 15: 3 hours and 23 minutes late
December 14: 1 hour and 45 minutes late
December 13: 1 hour and 41 minutes late
December 12: 41 minutes late
December 11: 2 hours and 49 minutes late

Looks to me like you won't have much trouble making your connection. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but don't expect your Late-shore to adhere too closely to the timetable.

Mmmmmmmm, Supperliners. The train that's guaranteed to have a dining car.

I wouldn't take too much luggage if I were you. In fact, it is too big, they may insist you check it (I've seen it happen). Remember that other people need luggage space too. You will also be the one lugging it around everywhere, up steps, through crowded stations, and along uneven platforms, unless you pay for a porter in which case you only need to drag it to the station itself.

BUT, if I check it in, they unload at the destination right or do I have to go to the luggage car itself and get it? I thought maybe they unload it and then I just go to a desk to claim or something. Oh and if I carry it on, do I just bring it to my seat or is there another area for it?

I'm trying to see if I need to buy luggage that fits in the overhead, so I won't have to worry about the check in process or see if my stuff can fit into the smaller luggage on rollers....

How much to check it in and for a porter?

You can so tell I don't travel much!! lol

No, they won't let you go to the baggage car, probably because they don't want you to witness the harsh reality of the situation: It's a mess.

With some luck you will pick up your bag at the designated section of the station. This means there will be a delay. Sometimes a very significant delay, though probably not in excess of a half hour.

If you decide to carry on your big bag, tie a yellow ribbon around its handle so that you can tell it from the others. Luggage all seems to look the same these days. Also be sure to place baggage tags on the handle. The more identification, the better.

If you are going to get a redcap to help you, be sure you know what its going to cost you in the end. It may be very much in excess of a buck and it may well be worth it. Last time I was in Toronto, a very charming fellow helped me with my bags and got me on the train. He knew some great back alleys and we totally avoided the line that must have been a half mile long. It only cost me $5 but was well worth it.

Also, be sure you have easy access to your tickets and identification. In other words, have your act together.