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I am planning a trip this summer to Washington, DC and have noticed flights into the Washington area vary greatly in price. Baltimore is much more economical. From looking at the transit websites, it appears Amtrak has trains between BWI and Was. Union Station. There are also MARC trains?
My friend is handicapped and cannot climb steps.
Is anyone here familiar with the types of trains (Amtrak or MARC) that may have "platform level cars"? In other words do either of these train options offer access from the platform to the train without steps? (like the Metro in DC offers)
Thanks for any insight!!
Andy
F40PHR231 Member # 1350
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Hi Andy,
Keep in mind that you'll have to take a shuttle bus between the actual airport, and stations themselves. It's a pretty convenient and short ride, easy to find out front of the terminal, but it would be nicer if the platform were next to the terminal.
Upon arrival to BWI Amtrak station, you'll need to take a elevator to the pedestrian overbridge to get to the Washington DC-bound platform.
The other option is Baltimore's light rail system. It's a little longer than the shuttle bus, but you do get to ride light rail straight from the airport terminus (practically right outside the door) to Baltimore Union Station to transfer to Amtrak. This, of course, depends on how much free time you have, the light-rail isn't the fastest thing rolling through downtown Balitmore.
MDRR Member # 2992
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Remember MARC trains run M-F only. Most MARC trains arrive on high platform in DC as well as most Amtrak trains,excepting the ones that continue thru to the South. Most of the Marc hi-level cars have a few steps that may need negotiating inside the car depending on seat availability.
a meyer Member # 4954
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Thanks for pointing out that the Amtrak station will require a shuttle and the MARC trains run M-F!!! We should be there on a weekday.
The light rail option is worth looking into also.
Andy
notelvis Member # 3071
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quote:Originally posted by a meyer: Thanks for pointing out that the Amtrak station will require a shuttle and the MARC trains run M-F!!! We should be there on a weekday.
The light rail option is worth looking into also.
Andy
Andy,
The mobility issue may make Baltimore's Light Rail the better choice right now. You would have to transfer to a short shuttle light rail to get the last lap into Penn Station BUT the light rail stations have a raised platform area and ramps.
I was in the area for three days in late October staying in the Red Roof Inn near BWI. I used the BWI Rail Station each day and while the platforms are at the train car floor level, there is heavy construction going on there and the elevator to get you to the southbound platforms was out-of-service. Surely by now that's not an issue but you never know. BWI is a staffed station and it wouldn't hurt to give the ticket agent there a call and ask whether the elevators are working now or not.
F40PHR231 Member # 1350
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The elevators being out of service at BWI shouldn't be an issue, per ADA compliance laws. Amtrak or MARC will need to figure out a way to get you on board, even if it means pulling the train in on the closest platform track for access.
Denial for that is grounds of a lawsuit.
a meyer Member # 4954
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Hopefully the elevators will be working, but I can call ahead before our arrival to get a better idea if that may be an issue.
We are contemplating another strategy for getting to Washington Union Station.... not flying from St. Louis to BWI, but taking Amtrak to Chicago and then the Capitol Limited. I will need to check to see if we can get lower level handicap on CL. I believe the CL is a Superliner train, correct?
My friend isn't a big rail fan, but we may have the time and would allow us to see more of the scenery.
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