i am planning a trip on the crescent from DC to atlanta in january. How is that train doing these days for ontime performance, etc? What type of equipment does it use? How is the service? Anybody have any photos?
I am contemplating making a day trip out of atlanta-birmingham, alabama. Heard its worth it. Is that true? should i take an extra day out of my schedule to do that day trip?
ive ridden amtrak alot in the west, just not much in the east. Thanks.
sbalax Member # 2801
posted
We had a very pleasant trip on the Crescent DCA/NOL in September. About an hour late into NOL. Not many people in the Sleeping cars and very few in the dinner. The dining car staff was excellent and the food very good.
Frank in dark, wet, cold SBA
sojourner Member # 3134
posted
I am repeating my post that I made to yummykaz about the Crescent. Note that while my train was very busy around Thanksgiving, I do not imagine that will be the case in January, which is usually a slower month:
I took the Crescent round trip from NYC (where I made a connection) to Atlanta a few days before and after Thanksgiving. It was fine--on time one way, less than half an hour late the other. The train wasn't so busy when it left NYC (though Penn Station was mobbed) but was completely full by the time we left Alexandria, VA--ditto on the return trip, full between Atlanta and Alexandria, then lots of people began getting off at each stop. The staff was very nice. I cannot report on meals other than breakfast, because I decided to go coach (because I am saving money for other upcoming train trips) and I brought my own rations, so the only meal I had in the dining car was breakfast on the return, because I do like to use the dining car at least once on a trip. I got there really early, before the car opened, and waited until they did. I had no trouble getting a seat. The eggs and juice were fine. I also had the grits because I'm dieting, but I didn't think they were prepared all that well; the home fries are better. Breakfast was only $6, plus tip.
Re the day trip: I have never been to Birmingham and could not say. But I have heard Chattanooga is very nice, and it has a train museum. I believe it is 3 hours from Atlanta, but you have to take a bus.
[This message has been edited by sojourner (edited 12-30-2004).]
George Harris Member # 2077
posted
I would consider Atlanta to Birmingham a nice day trip. Note the schedule: A little over 4 hours for 165 miles. That actually has very little padding. In fact, it is actually somewhat tight. Even in Sourthern days, the best the Southerner was ever scheduled over this segment was 4 hours flat. You will be doing a lot of 35 to 50 mph running on a very curvy piece of railroad. Lots of trees, hills, one short tunnel.
When Southern rebuilt, straightened and double tracked their main line from Washington to Atlanta in the early 1900's, they ran out of cash or simply quit at Austell, GA, just west of Atlanta. The line is single track, good CWR (of course), CTC, with fairly frequent passing sidings and apparently a couple of improvements of the worst of the worst of the alignment.
notelvis Member # 3071
posted
quote:Originally posted by shanghaiamtrak: Hey everyone
I am contemplating making a day trip out of atlanta-birmingham, alabama. Heard its worth it. Is that true? should i take an extra day out of my schedule to do that day trip?
ive ridden amtrak alot in the west, just not much in the east. Thanks.
Do it! This a good 'first east or southern' Amtrak trip.
I did this just for fun about a year ago and had a relaxing ride. The train was on-time to Birmingham and about 30 minutes late returning.
The Atlanta-Birmingham RT is pleasant. The route winds a bit through the southern-most extremities of the Appalachian range......not mountains exactly, more like kudzu-covered hills. Still, there are a number of interesting old towns along the way and many opportunities to see the engine or engines swing into curves if you're about 5 or 6 cars back.
Typical consist is going to be a baggage car, a heritage fleet crew dorm, two viewliners, heritage diner, amfleet lounge, and four amfleet coaches. Either one or two engines.
Give it a go. I think you'll find it worth the effort since you're going to be in the area anyway.
------------------ David Pressley
MontanaJim Member # 2323
posted
will the train be dead when i take it in january? i like to see the train full because then i know amtrak is doing well (at least on that particular train) but can be a little selfish from time to time and like to have two coach seats to myself. Do you think ill be able to at least snag a window seat when i board in DC? what about when returning from atlanta? What about a possible day trip from atlanta to birmingham? Im traveling around january 15th.
sojourner Member # 3134
posted
I cannot speak about getting on in DC, though I suppose it's more crowded weekends than weekdays, even in January. However, when I returned from Atlanta, there were empty cars being used for the many passengers getting on there--I think it's the busiest stop on the route! So whether you got a window seat there depended on where you were in the queue getting on. The Atlanta station is poorly designed, if you ask me, and they do not let you go down to the track early--but if you are near the door from where you go down, you should get a window seat, even if it's busy.
notelvis Member # 3071
posted
quote:Originally posted by shanghaiamtrak: will the train be dead when i take it in january? i like to see the train full because then i know amtrak is doing well (at least on that particular train) but can be a little selfish from time to time and like to have two coach seats to myself. Do you think ill be able to at least snag a window seat when i board in DC? what about when returning from atlanta? What about a possible day trip from atlanta to birmingham? Im traveling around january 15th.
The 15th has you headed for Atlanta during the Martin Luther King weekend. The train might be fairly busy as a result. A couple of weeks later and Mardi Gras season is approaching.....another busy time for the Crescent.
You could improve your chances of a window seat departing DC IF you leave a little earlier, take MARC to Baltimore, and board the Crescent there rather than wait for it in DC.
Otherwise, keep your eye out for seats that may come available as passengers disembark in Charlottesville or Lynchburg. Traditionally there are more people getting off than getting on at each station as the Crescent heads south.
I've commented on the desirabilty of an Atlanta-Birmingham daytrip earlier in the thread.
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