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Just curious. Im doing this trip in a week or two. Leaves DC at 10 pm arrives boston 7:47. I believe its train # 66. Then will return on #67.
If coach cars are Amfleet I's i might upgrade to Business class, since its about a 10 hour trip. Is Business class worth it? Do you get unlimited snacks and drinks like on the Pacific Surfliner?
I guess another option is the quiet car--at least there i shouldnt have to deal with cell phone yackers. The timetable says this train has one of those.
Has anyone here done this trip or have any suggestions? Coach or Business Class? Quiet Car?
Thanks
sbalax Member # 2801
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Hey, Jim--
Unlimited snacks and drinks on the Surfliners? Sort of. You can get as much coffee or tea and juice as you want and sweet rolls and muffins as long as they last in the morning. In the afternoon it's one soda, one water or one wine. Also one "Snack Pack". Sometimes there is coffee and sometimes not.
I'd go for the quiet car. I really wish they would start those on the Surfliners. I don't mind people making short, necessary calls but the "Guess where I am? I'm on the train." calls get old very quickly.
Frank in foggy SBA
train lady Member # 3920
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Unless thingshave changed recently all yo get in business class in the NEC is coffee,small sodas and somtimes juice. Sometimes you get a newspaper and somtimes not. On the Palmetto we did get pillows and blankets.
MDRR Member # 2992
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Train Lady is correct regarding Bus Class amenities in the NEC. The ridership of the train is generally pretty civilized unless riding Fri/Sat/Sun nights. Then the train can be kind of crowded and busy...maybe a motivation to upgrade...
MontanaJim Member # 2323
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I took the trip, going coach both ways. There was no quiet car either way. That disappointed me since the schedule says there is one.
Wasnt as noisy as I thought it might be, however, most people were quiet after 11 or 12. However, people coming and going at the stations along the way (new haven, nyc, philadelphia, wilmington etc) didnt help much. Was an Amfleet I so no legroom. Also, my biggest complaint--the lights. Why does Amtrak have to have such bright lights on these days? I know it didnt use to be that way. Even on the Superliners out west the lights have irrated me. And on this trip, the lights are next to the windows. Not only cant you get any sleep, but you cant look out the windows.
Lounge car attendant was nice. Thats about all i can say. Trip altogether was so so. Next time maybe ill upgrade to business class or take the bus.
irishchieftain Member # 1473
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If you take the bus, you'll have less legroom than on an Amfleet I. (The Amtrak critics will most likely point out that more legroom means fewer revenue seating available.)
The train you took used to be the Twilight Shoreliner, and formerly featured sleepers. Before that, it was called the Night Owl, and departed two hours later than it presently does.
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