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Thank you for previous advice on travelling from Wasington D.C. to Boston. Wife thinks Washington in July will be too humid for her. So we have rescheduled! Montreal to Toronto, train 57; Maple Leaf to New York; NY to Boston on Acela. We will visit Niagara Falls by coach from Toronto. Does anyone have any advice or tips on this? At least on the Maple Leaf we will see much of the scenery that we missed overnight on the Lake Shore travelling west last summer. What sort of delays can be expected at the Canada/US border? The Maple Leaf's punctuality record into NY does not seem to too bad. Not that delays on the train when on holiday bother us. We have learned to build in generous connection times when travelling on long-distance Amtrak trains. Why spoil a great experience by being uptight about missing a connecting train!
sojourner Member # 3134
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Tips: sit on the right side facing forward on the southbound Maple Leaf. Better scenery along the Erie Canal/Mohawk and esp south of Albany to NYC. Bring a little hat w brim (I like a fisherman's style as it folds, but baseball/tourist hats fine too) in case setting sun is in your eyes.
Sit on the right side facing forward on the ACELA NYC to Boston for best views, esp from just before New London to past Providence. But go into the lounge to see the departure over the Hellgate from NYC on the left side.
In Montreal train station, buy tasty sandwiches & pastry to take on train at Premiere Moison (sp?). Delicious breads, pate, etc. . . .
Border crossing is hit or miss, some days good, some days not. It's usually slower going into the USA than out, but not always.
Note that while not quite as hot and humid as DC, NYC can also be quite hot and humid in July. Not all of July, mind you, but usually there is a bad week or two, it's hit or miss which it will be. If it's hot, just do museums (I love the Frick), maybe Central Park, a boat ride. (Museums are free in DC, though!)
If you could rework your trip to do the Adirondack somehow, that is the most scenic train ride E of the Mississippi, I'd say. Southbound on the Adirondack out of Montreal, you want to sit on the left side facing forward until at least you leave Fort Edward and if possible get to the right side facing forward some time before you leave Albany.
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