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Has anyone ridden the Vermonter? We've got a possible labor day week trip and wondered what type business class car is on the train - and its location. Is it worth the extra $25 - and any other thoughts on the train (other than it should still go to Montreal)? thanks
notelvis Member # 3071
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I've not ridden it north of New York BUT I was on the train about a year ago. On that trip half the seats were positioned 'backwards' because the train reverses direction of travel at Palmer, MA.
Well..... I did ride it north of New York on a roundtrip to Montreal in the 1980's...... that doesn't count for much now.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Does the Vermonter run in reverse between Springfield and Palmer only? In looking at the maps, I can see where it reverses itself between Palmer and Springfield, but does it reverse itself yet again at Springfield and head "forward" to NYC and WAS?
palmland Member # 4344
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thanks Notelvis - wonder if the BC car is like the one on the Palmetto or the normal NEC full coach used as BC.
RRRich- could be wrong but I think it is a head on connection at Springfield and I believe some NEC trains on Amtrak went that way to Boston in early Amtrak days.
rresor Member # 128
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Rode the Vermonter last year following a Mass Bay RRE trip from Montpelier Junction to Barre on the Washington County RR. The business class car is a cafe with b/c seats in half the car. Seating is 2 and 1, and well worth the surcharge. Yes, you may ride backward for part of the trip -- train changes direction at Palmer NB and SB.
I'd suggest you do a "circle trip" if the Lake Champlain ferry is running. Go up on the Adirondack, take the ferry to Burlington, and catch the Vermonter at Essex Junction the next day. EJ is reachable by bus from downtown Burlington, and Sojourner advises that hotels which offer shuttle service to the airport can also be asked to take you to Essex Junction (which is a couple of miles from the airport).
palmland Member # 4344
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thanks rresor-That sounds like the business class car used on the Palmetto and well worth the extra bucks. We'll be flying into Burlington and staying with friends on Lake Champlain - a few miles from St. Albans. Return on the Vermonter to NYC to visit family on NJT.
jp1822 Member # 2596
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Agree with rresor. I've racked up many miles of travel on the Vermonter over the years and have typically booked business class in recent years (after the car was upgraded). It is an Amfleet car that is 1/2 business class and 1/2 cafe car. Very comfortable. Change directions at Palmer, but it is not all that bad. A few years back, the conductors used to come through and "turn the seats" in the business class car so that passengers were always facing in direction of travel. I don't think they do this anymore though. If you are traveling southbound, I would say the majority of your trip will be facing forward - especially as you wind through the more scenic sections of Vermont. From Springfield to New York City, you'll be traveling "backwards" but overall, less to see.
And yes, it is the same type of business class car as the Palmetto.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Re Vermonter: Train I was on was older, very nice comfy business class seats, but the business class was full on train I was on. Sitting in coach as I did had one advantage, I was able to change seats more easily, i.e., changing sides to see sights, and also to ride in other direction after Palmer if I so chose (why not?).
Train changes tracks and direction in Palmer, interesting, and you follow the LSL (if both on time) into Springfield station. Train does not change direction that way again, as others have noted. It does changes engine in New Haven; also interesting. Nice sihts in VT include CT River, White River Junction, Bellows Falls. . . . Portion of trip heading south through Connecticut not as interesting this time of year (leaves obscure any water views) until after New Haven some views of Sound on left and nice river crossing around Bridgeport etc, then approach to Manhattan over Hellgate nice (best view of that is on right, so if you are on other side try going into lounge for view), then through Queens past Sunnyside Yards and into tunnel to Manhattan.
Re hotels with shuttles--not sure they would all do that to train, be sure to check in advance. There are only 3 hotels that I know of right downtown in Burlington, Hilton, Marriott, and new Marriott Courtyard, all walkable from ferry, and walkable from there to Church St (no cars/street mall), restaurants. Cheaper hotels/motels are further away; many in S Burlington but that is probably further from train station (Burlington station is actually in Essex Junction). Check out area near university or Winooskie, Essex Junction for perhaps something less expensive closer to it.
palmland Member # 4344
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thanks JP and sojourner. I never heard of the conductors turning seats enroute but as you note, not a lot to see on that portion of NEC.
Lots of good ideas in Burlington, sojourner, but fortunately on this trip we'll be staying with friends on the lake near St. Albans. No hotels or transportation needed.
MDRR Member # 2992
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Just so your expectations are set correctly, you will face forward in b/c Was-Spg and Spg-Was. The Vermont portion of the trip is ridden backwards in b/c. The occasional exception occurs, such as jp1822 experienced, when the Wye in Sab is out of service, or when the engine/cab car is not good for leading and thus train is not Wye'd in Sab.
palmland Member # 4344
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thanks MD, what would be nice is if they had some of the single seats facing each other so my wife and I could be face to face and both have good views. Now in the good old days, would not have been any trick at all in the swivel parlor seats.
Now that I mention it, wouldn't it be nice if Amtrak did that. Apparently they have figured out that it can be done- as on the lounge section of the PPC on the Starlight.
jp1822 Member # 2596
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quote:Originally posted by palmland: thanks MD, what would be nice is if they had some of the single seats facing each other so my wife and I could be face to face and both have good views. Now in the good old days, would not have been any trick at all in the swivel parlor seats.
Now that I mention it, wouldn't it be nice if Amtrak did that. Apparently they have figured out that it can be done- as on the lounge section of the PPC on the Starlight.
I saw this done once on the Vermonter heading southbound in business class. A few of the single seats and doubles were turned and faced each other. By the time we hit Palmer Jct. though, the conductor came back and turned all the seats in business class so we were all travelling in the same direction as the train. It seems at one time the conductors on the Vermonter used to be very accommodating - especially a lady conductor who even went out of her way to promote Amtrak Guest Rewards.
amtrak92 Member # 14343
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I will admit the business class on that train(I have been on the Palmetto) is really nice. I have turned the seats on that train. But I also know the crew personally so they don't care as much what I do. But some conductors are willing.
MDRR Member # 2992
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That was Bonnie that used to promote Guest Rewards...She always had the brochures in her pockets. We used to think she must own stock in "guest rewards"...
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