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My wife and I were originally scheduled to begin a trip to California yesterday. I had to cancel the week before last because she underwent unexpected surgery. Fortunately, I was able to get a full refund by supplying documentation when turning in my tickets.
Of course I have been tracking progress of the train we WOULD HAVE been on. Train 49 was nearly five hours late into Chicago today. We would have missed our connection with the CZ, raising havoc with our reservations at lodgings in CA. The train has experienced similar late arrivals over the last week or two.
This can serve as a warning to others planning trips on the LSL. It's very discouraging and must be turning scores of first time travelers away from Amtrak. When will this problem of late trains be remedied??
Railroad Bob Member # 3508
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Lots of "things" can happen to a passenger train; esp/ when they are not running on their home rails. I'm not excusing shoddy service or timekeeping by Amtrak, just saying a multitude of reasons can cause this, Bob. Passenger medical emergencies, grade crossing accidents, weather, freight derailments ahead, etc. can all add hours to a trip. But I'm glad you got your refund and missed that late LSL. Wish you a smooth trip next time and I will stop apologizing for Amtrak now. I'll certainly agree some Amtrak trains are worse than others, and thanks for your warning about the LSLs...as for missed connections (Amtrak to Amtrak) it's been my experience that they will be "fairly" helpful with alternate transportation, overnight hotel lodgings, etc. But not always...
espeefoamer Member # 2815
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Why do you think it's called the Late for Sure Limited?
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Were these delays in fact weather-related?
Bob from MA Member # 4686
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Adding a little more to my original post:
I have made 38 previous westbound trips on the LSL and have never missed a connection before. The layover time in Chicago is long enough so that an hour or two late doesn't matter. In fact it just means less time waiting in the lounge. Four or five hours, though, starts to create problems.
We have missed the eastbound LSL twice in Chicago because of late western trains. Amtrak put us up in a hotel, gave us money for cab and meals, etc. When your coming home, it's less of a problem. One time we took a Chicago sightseeing tour. Another time we visited the Art Institute .With the LSL now leaving Chicago at 10 PM, missed connections should be minimized.
It's true that Amtrak warns of LSL delays on its website. I now know they're not kidding. I expect that freight congestion and track work may be the main causes.
sojourner Member # 3134
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I just spoke with an Amtrak person who had phoned me about a slight schedule change (unrelated to LSL/Capitol Ltd). She checked and told me that these horrendous delays on the Capitol Ltd (and I presume the LSL) in the past few weeks are due to track work due to end April 12. So . . . I hope she is right!
Bob, I hope your wife is feeling better.
Railroad Bob Member # 3508
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Sometimes it helps to have a few "heads roll" if a train gets this bad...I remember years ago the old Sunset (under the SP flag) got monitors (I think they were feds) to actually ride in the engine and take notes about delays and what caused them. I think the Sunset made better timekeeping after that go-round... It's been discussed here and in other places almost endlessly, but the worst reason seems to be freight roads delaying Amtrak for "higher priority" movements. (UP, anyone?)
Amtrak207 Member # 1307
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RR Bob- You forgot law enforcement inspections, flood warning conditions, loss of power to wayside warning devices, and locomotive or other mechanical failures.
Bob from MA Member # 4686
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Sojourner: Thanks for your inquiry. My wife is recovering nicely from the surgery, but now must face several months of chemotherapy.
Good news: After many days of terrible timekeeping, the LSL arrived in Chicago today ONLY 25 MINUTES LATE!! Can we hope that the problems have been resolved?
20th Century Member # 2196
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Bob from MA, I am glad to hear that your wife is recovering nicely. Hoping you and the wife will be planning a future train trip to California.
train lady Member # 3920
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Bob, I am glad to hear your wife is better. I know Chemo can be miserable while you are going through it but I am sure we are all pulling for her and hope it goes as eaasily as possible. Now maybe you two can replan your trip.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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It is disappointing to note the performance of #48 on its "Chicagoan' (that was the NYC train the new schedule roundly emulates) schedule. While I think it was wise on Amtrak's part to again have a Chicago connection "clean up train' that was lost when #40 Three Rivers was killed, a late 48 will allow a rider intending to visit New York with little else to do other than go to a hotel and go to bed.
While planning to attend a public event in New York the evening of arrival with the previous schedule was ill advised, at least there would be time to do something "catch as catch can". If one was connecting Eastward to Corridor points (New Haven RR) there was still a chance to connect with 'something'. It would appear with the new schedule, the only sure bet is Regional 66 (nee Federal). Even connecting to a point on the PRR, the options are starting to "thin out".
As I noted at earlier discussion, for an upcoming trip likely during October, I was giving thought to using #48 CHI-NYP presuming it would be possible to connect with 'a train', Amtrak or MNR, onward to Stamford. But judging from the recent 48 performance I have reviewed at the website, recent NorEaster notwithstanding, I think there may be a "reassessment" on my part in the offing.
Judging from the recent performance, Amtrak did not resurrect "The Chicagoan" - rather they resurrected the Erie RR "Atlantic Express' (24hrs midnight to midnight)
Lastly, my thoughts go out to "Mrs. Bob' for a speedy recovery.
sojourner Member # 3134
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I am glad your wife is doing well after surgery and do wish her the very very best, Bob.
Mr Norman, would Capital Ltd and Regional work, or is that connection too risky too? There is a cleanup train 10PM out of DC but it gets to Stamford at a rather bad time!
How about Capitl Ltd to Pittsburgh, then Pennsylvanian, and pick up a regional from Philly to Stamford?
dilly Member # 1427
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I've faithfully taken the Lake Shore Limited to Chicago dozens of times, but the train's ever-increasing lateness has finally discouraged even yours truly from taking it again.
As for Amtrak's other options? The on-time performance of the Capitol Limited hasn't been much better (thanks to the same freight congestion west of Cleveland). And the Cardinal, even at the best of times, leaves New York too early, takes way too long, costs too much, and only runs on days of the week that never fit into my plans.
That's why I'll be flying to the Windy City (via Continental) on my next trip two weeks from now -- and probably for all my trips to Chicago for the forseeable future.
The delays may not be Amtrak's fault, but my support for such deteriorating service has reached its limit. I enjoy traveling by train, but I'm not a masochist. Having to endure the "breakfast sandwich" in Amtrak's cafe cars is bad enough. Arriving 5+ hours late, trip after trip, is more than even the most dedicated passenger should be forced to bear.
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Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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quote:Originally posted by sojourner: Mr Norman, would Capital Ltd and Regional work, or is that connection too risky too? There is a cleanup train 10PM out of DC but it gets to Stamford at a rather bad time!
How about Capitl Ltd to Pittsburgh, then Pennsylvanian, and pick up a regional from Philly to Stamford?
While "on paper", the timetable shows a 30-WAS-94 connection, namely 30 arriving 130P 94 leaving 205P, it appears that a little "let's get real" is the order of the day.
Unfortunately, save Friday, 400P is "it' for either Regional or Acela to New England. Given #30's recent performance, I would not want to consider such as 'see you on #66' (I realize they try to assign former Metroclub cars for Biz class on such) and a 404A arrival in Stamford is all too real (Fri there is a 5PM 136 arriving STM 958P).
Regarding 30-PGH-42-PHL-94, that remains doable, and if one rode Coach, I guess that would be "no big deal". But being 'rousted' @ 430A from the Sleeper (if I were using that itinerary THAT would be the day 30 was ON TIME) is not to my liking and is not what I'm paying the hefty Sleeper premium to experience.
Lastly, Ms. Sojourner, I sincerely respect you, as an elderly woman, for the "spunk' you show in traveling about 'for the sake of travel". But as an elderly individual (66M in MySpaceese) myself, I am more Mr. Dilly in that I'm not a masochist and the travel I do is to fufil family obligations (NY) or to vist friends about the East (Iowa - really the only place I travel West of Chi, Wash, Atl, Fla) so that they stay friends.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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From Marriott Courtyard Roswell GA--
To update My thought immediately above, Ms. Sojourner, I just checked #30(20) arrival at Wash. The website Train Status shows estimated arrival at 407PM. This means any connection to New England would be a "see you on #66".
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