My wife and I will be traveling with another couple on The Lake Shore Limited from Boston to Chicago, then transfer to the CZ for the trip to the Bay Area. My question concerns the Lake Shore between Boston and Albany as the Amrak site isn't really clear about a lounge on that portion of the trip. Actually, train 449 lists only coaches and a sleeper until it gets to Albany. I know the diner comes out of New York and I know that we'll be fed lunch out of Boston, but does the Boston section carry a lounge? There are 4 of us and it would be nice to be able to sit together for a while before we get to Albany.
I hope that the sleeper has been restored. This paast April, I had a reservation from Boston to Chicago in the sleeper; a few days before I left home, I received a notice that the time had been changed--when I came to the station to begin my trip, my friend in the station looked my itinerary up and told me that it showed nothing from Boston to Rennselaer (for the sleeper had been cut off east of Rennselaer). He made the change so that I had a coach seat from Boston. When I boarded in Boston, I found that there was a lounge car in the consist, so I was able to get a snack to tide me over until we reached Rennselaer, where I boarded my sleeper and ate dinner after leaving there.
I consider this lack of information to be a severe shortcoming on the part of Amtrak. I have been notified of changes in schedule, which I appreciated, but this was far worse.
The current public timetable does state "Sleeping car passengers will receive complimentary hot Lounge car meal service." This indicates that there is a lounge in service between Rennselaer and Boston.
Johnny
[from latest Amtrak website] Service on the Lake Shore Limited® R Coaches: Reservations required. Sleeping cars: Viewliner sleeping accommodations. - Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge/ClubAcela available in New York, Boston and Chicago, for Sleeping car passengers. Dining: Full meal service between New York and Chicago. Not available between Albany and Boston; Sleeping car passengers will receive complimentary hot Lounge car meal service. Lounge: Sandwiches, snacks and beverages. (Note—Combined Diner/ Lounge provides food and beverage service between New York and Albany).
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
Is an Amfleet II Cafe car the same thing as a 'Lounge" car? That is apparently what is in the Boston-Rensselaer section, and this seems to match what Amtrak says about 'boxed meals' being what the sleeper passengers get.
I do think this answers the original question, which is whether there will be a car where the four passengers can sit together and socialize during the Boston to Albany leg of their trip. A Cafe should allow this, although perhaps not in the most elegant 'surroundings'.
Wizlish Is an Amfleet II Cafe car the same thing as a 'Lounge" car? That is apparently what is in the Boston-Rensselaer section, and this seems to match what Amtrak says about 'boxed meals' being what the sleeper passengers get. I do think this answers the original question, which is whether there will be a car where the four passengers can sit together and socialize during the Boston to Albany leg of their trip. A Cafe should allow this, although perhaps not in the most elegant 'surroundings'.
Yes, an Amfleet II cafe will fit the bill very nicely. Thanks a LOT. As for Deggesty's problem I got the same letter from Amtrak about a time change but the letter was totally blank as to what the change was. I consulted Amtrak's website and couldn't see any changes. Maybe I'll call Amtrak to find out what the scoop is. I'm retired now in Italy and am looking forward to a coast-to-coast trip like I did in 2011, and I hope it works out OK.
I guess all is in vein. I called Amtrak about the change and was surprised to say the least. There is a track naintenance window on my travel date and the Boston section has been annulled. I've been rerouted in business class on the Acela to NY, then up the Hudson of the NY section of the Lake Shore. All is well in River City, and it's done at no extra cost. NICE!!
You will miss the scenery of the Birkshires, but enjoy the ride up the Hudson. Grab a table in the lounge part of the diner on the left when leaving NY. You got a good deal with business class onh Acela!
Deggesty I hope that the sleeper has been restored. This paast April, I had a reservation from Boston to Chicago in the sleeper; a few days before I left home, I received a notice that the time had been changed--when I came to the station to begin my trip, my friend in the station looked my itinerary up and told me that it showed nothing from Boston to Rennselaer (for the sleeper had been cut off east of Rennselaer). He made the change so that I had a coach seat from Boston. When I boarded in Boston, I found that there was a lounge car in the consist, so I was able to get a snack to tide me over until we reached Rennselaer, where I boarded my sleeper and ate dinner after leaving there. I consider this lack of information to be a severe shortcoming on the part of Amtrak. I have been notified of changes in schedule, which I appreciated, but this was far worse. The current public timetable does state "Sleeping car passengers will receive complimentary hot Lounge car meal service." This indicates that there is a lounge in service between Rennselaer and Boston.
As far as I can tell, this is a maintenence window from CSX and has nothing to do with cutting or restoring Amtrak service. I'm traveling Seètember 29th, so that's almost 3 months from now. The maintenance window may last 1 day or all summer, I have no clue. All I know is that #449 will not run on Sep 29th. We have a roomette of of NY so boarding at Albany is not an issue.
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