I've ridden Amtrak twice in the last year. Last year my wife and I made a Philly to Seattle run on three different trains. I took the opportunity to compare types and levels of service. First the Pennsylvanian from Philly to Pittsburgh was in coach class. Better than airline or bus seats, but it was what made my decision to travel business class if offered. Next was Pittsburgh to Chicago on the Capitol Limited. Since it was overnight, we opted for a Roomette. Not a lot of space, but since it was just the one night it was easy to take.
We stayed and toured Chicago for a couple days (for some reason my wife insisted on getting off the train occasionally. Go figure). From Chicago to Seattle we rode the Empire Builder. Since this was a 46 hour trip we opted for the full Bedroom. This was just after they refurbished the equipment. I couldn't have asked for a more relaxing, pleasant trip. The on-board staff was GREAT.Since we were in one of the sleeping cars, we were considered First Class and our meals in the Dining Car were included. The food was fantastic, so much so that I gained four pounds on the trip. We were less than a half hour off schedule arriving in Seattle. After touring Seattle and Vancouver BC for a couple days, the low point of the trip was flying home (my wife only had a week vacation). It really emphasized the train being a more civilized method of travel.
In early July this year, we went from Philly to the other Washington (DC). This gave me an opportunity to ride the Acela. We took the Acela down and the Regional Service back. The Regional Service is Amfleet coaches pulled by an AEM7. We had Business Class seats on both trains and I must say, the Acela rode MUCH smoother over the same tracks. Since we traveled down on a Sunday, the train wasn't crowded and we easily got seats at one of the tables on the Acela. The trip is too short for the higher speed of the Acela to make much difference in the travel time, but the service levels make it easy to see why Amtrak hauls more than half the commuters in the DC to NYC corridor.
Wow ndbprr, you need to learn to use the Amtrak website. Philly to Chicago:
1. Cardinal, leaving Philly 10:15 AM arriving Chicago 10:40 AM next morning.
2. Regional Service Philly to DC 12:30 to 2:45 PM, layover to 3:55 PM (1 Hour 10 Minutes) and catch the Capitol Limited to Chicago arriving 8:30 the next morning.
3. (the way I went last year) Pennsylvanian Philly to Pittsburgh (I wanted to ride thru Horseshoe Curve) 11:45 AM to 7:05 PM, layover in Pitt until 11:45 PM and catch the Capitol Limited to Chicago. Not the way I'd recommend, with the long Pitt layover. There is NOTHING in that station or nearby, especially on a Sunday night.
I've enjoyed my trips on the Amtrak Silver Star and Silver Meteor trains.
Yes, occasionally I've run into a surly employee but my overall experience has been very good. I very much miss the service we had in the early 1980s when the Heritage Cars were rebuilt, we had more trains running, and some of the railroads actually made an effort to run them on time. Man did those Heritage cars ride nice!
One of CSX's predecessors (SCL/L&N Family Lines) made a good effort to run the Silver Service trains and Auto Train on time. I still remember reading an article where a number of the dispatchers and trainmasters were guys that had worked in "pre-Amtrak" days were still committed to keep the "varnish" on schedule. Sad to say that most of those good guys are retired or deceased.
From what I've been reading, CSX's corporate mentality seems to lean towards the opposite end of the spectrum.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
after reading all the comments about the subject, I don't know what to expect. My wife and I are about to drive to central Nebraska to visit a couple of sons, where we will leave the car and board the California Zephyr going to Chicago, we will change trains for the Lakeshore Limited to Springfield, MA and shuttle to Hartford, CT to visit another son. The country the trains travel through should be extremely nice and we are looking forward to the trip. As I said I don"t know what to expect so any words of wisdom will be appreciated.
In my jaded (admitidly) opinion there are three Amtraks:
1. Anything west of Chicago or south is fine and enjoyable
2. The corridor which is fine.
3. The east from Chicago which is a disaster.
That being said if your accomadations are in a sleeping car have at it. If you are going by sleeping car and have some privacy it is ok. A coach in the east is a problem due to the population density with frequesnt stops and interuptions. There just isn't the relaxed atmosphere on the other runs. The Lake Shore to Mass. should avoid the problems. As long as where you are going is on the route you should be ok. I just think it is absolutely ludicrous that you can't get to Philadelphia in less than 24 hours and without a layover somewhere. Getting off at 4 AM in Pittsburgh and hanging around the station for four hours does not make for a good night sleep. I'd rather take Southworst as I said.
I have ridden Amtrak many times. My trips have ranged from excellent to totally sucky. The worst was a trip from Seligman AZ. to L.A. many years ago on #3. The train was over 4 hours late. The entire crew was P.O.ed and they wanted everyone to know it.
They did their best to see that everyone on the train was as miserable as they were.This was by far the worst experience I have had on Amtrak.
michaelstevens wrote:I voted "6 to 12 months" because I was a weekly commuter between Philadelphia and Jacksonville FL for most of 2004 and 2005. I would take the Silver Meteor (or Star if more convenient) down on a Monday, then return North on Friday evening. Overnighting in both directions was a comfortable (viewliner compartment or bedroom), civilized and convenient way to travel. "Comfortable" with drinks in the cafe' car, dinner and breakfast in the diner. I would always sleep like a baby -- there is definitely a lot to be said for that rocking motion -- which is actually better in the small compartment, because your bed is lengthwise to the car. "Civilized" because nobody ever wanted to pat me down, search my briefcase or step over me to get to the aisle. "Convenient" with 30th Street station in Center City and Jacksonville's station a 50% closer cab ride to their downtown.
And I thought I had a long commute. I travel Amtrash / NJ Rancid every day btw Trenton NJ and NY Penn Station. More power to you Mike, but wouldnt it have been easier to fly?
How is service on the cresent? I have been considering riding it from my home in upstate SC, up to New York city and back, probably around this christmas.