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I used to read this forum regularly, but fell out of the habit a few years ago. My husband and I used to take Amtrak between New Jersey and Chicago (usually the Lake Shore Limited, but we also took the Acela to DC to get the Capitol Limited). Our last train trip was in 2003. We mainly stopped taking the train because airfares got cheaper and, more significantly, I beat my fear of flying. I have to say that we were also disappointed with the service on the LSL the last time we took it; among other things, our car attendant was rarely seen on the trip, leaving her teenage son to do her work for her. He did a great job, but it wasn't his job to do! Anyway, we live in Chicago now and are thinking about our plans to go to NJ for the holidays. Southwest's fares for the end of the year won't be available until next week, but otherwise the story isn't good; airfares for Chicago-Newark are pretty bad. If Southwest doesn't some through for us, I'm thinking about Amtrak, because even with a Viewliner sleeper, the round-trip fare for the two of us will still be less than flying Continental or United. It has been five years since we last took Amtrak. How is the service compared to pre-2003? Better, worse, or the same? How is the food service? Have they cut back on the nice dining car meals? How are the delays? I don't think any of the times we took the LSL did it arrive at the end destination on time. Any other notes would be helpful. If service has really declined and the delays are worse, then I think I'd rather plunk down higher airfares just to get to our destination quicker. But a train trip does have a little more comfort and class than flying, and isn't as affected by weather. Thanks!
Posts: 53 | From: Chicago | Registered: Jun 2001
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Unfortunately, Ms. Bumble, the food service available on the Long Distance trains has been "rationalized". The menu has been reduced in scope, and many dishes are prepared off the train and kept warm on-board until served.
Reportedly, it's better than airline food (if anyone even remembers such anymore), but it is a long way from what Amtrak regularly offered, such as when you last took a train.
There has been no new equipment acquired.
Additionally, the schedule of the Eastbound Lake Shore has changed. When you last took a ride, it left during the Dinner hour and arrived in NY during the afternoon. Today it leaves at about 1030PM and does not arrive in NY until 745PM. Connections to your destination in NJ, especially so if the train is late, could become sparse.
Sleeping Car fares are "way up". They WILL be way....WAAY up over the Holiday season.
Timekeeping may have improved somewhat since your last ride; this is due in large part to Amtrak's discontinuance of handling freight on the trains. But by no means could it be caled "satisfactory" (as it can be on the NECorridor).
In short, Ms Bumble, unless you are really set on train travel and it is a pastime such as it is for many here at the forum (as it was once for me, but that was pre-A-Day), it appears fortunate that you have conquered your fear of flying.
As you can readilly note, I too reside in Chicago, but my family resides in either NY or Greenwich CT. I now "think twice" , especially with the Lake Shore's schedule change (the Capitol to Corridor through Wash is not much better), and at this time I'm not certain to what extent I will make further use of Amtrak for such journey (last Amtrak journey NY-Chi was '06; all since then have been air or auto).
But finally, with all of this having been said, I still note that my LD trips, most recent of such being on Auto Train, have "more positives than negatives".
Posts: 9982 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Daisybumble, welcome back! I remember seeing your name here years ago.
While I have great respect for Mr. Norman, I would take his humbug attitude towards the interstate trains with a grain of salt. Admittedly, however, he does have more knowledge about the Chicago based routes than I do.
It is true that on most trains the meals are pre-made. This was due to a legislative mandate to reduce food service costs. However, these are nothing like the microwaved TV dinner disasters Amtrak served in the 1980s, and Amtrak food is still WAY better than airline food. The process they use now is more refined. Food is packaged to retain flavors, and reheated in convection ovens - not microwaved. At first the quality was uneven, but they've been refining it for a couple years now. If the food is properly prepared on board, it is difficult to distinguish from freshly cooked. I had a roast chicken meal on my last trip that was juicy and tasty. The French Toast was actually an improvement over the fresh cooked version of yore, and the burgers were identical. Those who have traveled more recently than I may be able to tell you what is good and what, if anything, isn't.
As for prices, booking early is still your best bet. If you aren't locked into specific days, try entering different days into the reservation system and see what prices come up. A day or two earlier or later than your target date may yield some bargains.
Posts: 2649 | From: California's Monterey Peninsula | Registered: Dec 2000
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My wife and I travelled August/September 2007 on the Lake Shore, NY/Chic; Empire Builder during the floods, Chic/Seattle and Coast Starlight to Oakland. The food on the Empire Builder was certainly the best but it was more than acceptable on the other two trains; far better than the meals provided on our flights to and from the UK. Staff were also very obliging and efficent. Empire Builder was 35 minutes early; Lake Shore 3o minutes late and the Starlight 2 1/2 hours late. As far as we are concerned Amtrak provides a good service under difficult circumstances and it is our favoured mode of transport in the States. What a way to see the country!
Posts: 168 | From: uk. northumberland | Registered: Jun 2007
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The Capitol Ltd. arrives in Wash D.C.at 1:30 pm(if on time). From there you can connect to a NE corridor to N.J. I quickly checked the schedule and a connection would deliver me to Trenton, NJ around 5:30 pm. I don't know where you need to end your journey in N.J.
Posts: 498 | From: New Hope, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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correction: you arrive Trenton @ 5:47p.m. I think the next connection arrives about an hour later. Roomette (the so called bedroom)fare for 2 with 1 senior discount was $900+. Depart 12/20 and return 1/3/'09
Posts: 498 | From: New Hope, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Previously, the earliest "legal" connection Amtrak would allow @ Wash with #30 was either the 4PM Acela or Regional. Now I guess they have more confidence that CSX will let #30 move over the road more expediently so that they now allow a 30-WAS-148/2170 connection. To "pay the piper" for the latter would have me in Stamford 644P; Hertz, 50 PACES away from alighting an EW at STM is good until 7PM. In short; there are again "possibilities'. Since my Sister and family resided overseas (UK) for almost 20 years, 830PM Dinners, home or restaurant, are "par for the course'.
Again as I have noted, even though I do not advocate any expansion of the LD system, i.e. NARP and their "connect the dots vision" (why must the investor owned Class I industry have more of their operations interfered with by an ancillary activity that does nothing for the "bottom line"?), I do find "more positives than negatives' with Amtrak LD travel. So long as such remains a political necessity for any Federal funding AND I have somewhere to go, I will use such when convenient to my needs.
Thank you again, Mr. Century, for pointing out that something I had previously ruled out, could again be 'convenient'. I have a wedding coming up in Sep, and maybe that is how I will make the scene for the "obligatory appearance".
Posts: 9982 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I hope you will Gilbert. I very well understand your point.....i.e.,using Amtrak for your needs. That's how it is expected to be used by the train traveling public. As for me I have not used long distance service for a long time. My last trip on Amtrak on 4/03 was for conveying me to Wash. D.C. from Trenton to catch an int'l flight from Dulles Int'l. But I still long to do an overnight trip.I suspect it might turn out to be on the Auto train.
Posts: 498 | From: New Hope, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: (why must the investor owned Class I industry have more of their operations interfered with by an ancillary activity that does nothing for the "bottom line"?),
Because.... 1. The railroads are an essential component of our national transportation systems. The mere fact that the tracks are privately owned is not sufficient reason in and of itself to prohibit public access.
2. Given the prospects for tighter energy supplies, and the resulting economic, mobility, and security implications, it would be downright fuelish to restrict the most fuel efficient form of transportation to freight and restrict development of passenger travel to less fuel efficient modes.
3. The private railroads enjoy virtual monopoly control over the freight routes they serve. In exchange for that privilege, which is usually limited to public utilities, they should be willing to accept some responsibility to provide for the public benefit.
That said, however, I firmly believe there should be some public financing available for private tracks that host public trains.
Posts: 2649 | From: California's Monterey Peninsula | Registered: Dec 2000
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