Amtrak train info w/pics!All Aboard-Choo-choo!UPDATED

[lisa-upnorth]

Info on the amtrak rewards points is in this thread.
Briefly-the best way to get a large chunk is applying for the credit card(that is how I paid for my trip). Read through and learn from the train lovers

 

[NJGirl]

We're heading down the beginning of the month.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Guess I should've been clearer...the baseball trip is not until this summer

you are traveling my routes! I leave out of Albany every trip. It is small station with a coffee shop and mag/newstand shop. No rental car place BUT sure there is one nearby that would pick you up or you could take a taxi to it.

The trip to DC is a nice one!! Easy ride and Union Station is not to be missed!!!!

 

[LuvEeyore]

[B Can wat!! We leave in 8 days via Amtrak for our Dec 15 Fantasy Cruise.][/B]Thanks for all the advice and suggestions posted here.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

be sure to post for us when you get back!!!!

 

[LuvEeyore]

I am back. Been back a week but cam back with the flu. Will post some picts and info here soon. Would I go Amtrak again? I am not sure. Yes and no. More to come

 

[lisa-upnorth]

I am back. Been back a week but cam back with the flu. Will post some picts and info here soon. Would I go Amtrak again? I am not sure. Yes and no. More to come

ya can't leave us hanging like that

Hope you had a great vacation!!!

 

[barter4]

What if any are the options for storing luggage at Union Sta to see the sites in D.C. during a 7 hour layover? Thanks

 

[wiigirl]

ya can't leave us hanging like that

Hope you had a great vacation!!!

Seriously....can't wait for your pics!

 

[Teacher03]

What if any are the options for storing luggage at Union Sta to see the sites in D.C. during a 7 hour layover? Thanks

If you are in a roomette or a bedroom you can store your luggage in the amtrak lounge. If not, Union Station has a place you can store your luggage, but it is costly.

 

[barter4]

If you are in a roomette or a bedroom you can store your luggage in the amtrak lounge. If not, Union Station has a place you can store your luggage, but it is costly.

What do you consider to be "costly"? It might be worth it to be able to kill a couple of hours with 2 depressed post HPOE kids

 

[barter4]

What do you consider to be "costly"? It might be worth it to be able to kill a couple of hours with 2 depressed post HPOE kids

Tiburon Lockers. Up to $11 per hr for " multiple bags of 3" definitely considering it

 

[pepe of ohio]

We leave our luggage on the baggage carousel, they pick it up and store it and when we're ready to board the next leg, we get a Redcap to get luggage and take us to the train.... We do this from a recommendation from a Redcap....cost us nothing..... But we're in between trains and our luggage was in the baggage car so that's how it gets on the baggage carousel ....and we're waiting to board another train in 6 hours!

 

[barter4]

We leave our luggage on the baggage carousel, they pick it up and store it and when we're ready to board the next leg, we get a Redcap to get luggage and take us to the train.... We do this from a recommendation from a Redcap....cost us nothing..... But we're in between trains and our luggage was in the baggage car so that's how it gets on the baggage carousel ....and we're waiting to board another train in 6 hours!

Thanks Pepe that may be the way to go

 

[pepe of ohio]

To further indulge in the topic.... We board at home at an unmanned station Dover have to haul our stuff on board and stow it.... That's northeastern Ohio to DC.... At DC, we check our bags and then have the 6 hour layover waiting for the south bound train... Wife likes to roam the station, I'm a sitter and reader and enjoy the concourse.....

Leaving at the Kissimmee station to come home we again check our baggage and board the train with just our small carryons, and when in DC is where we leave our luggage on the carousel where they pick it up and put in a holding room, while we wait the again 6 hours for the west bound train to Ohio... We then get a Redcap (Amtrak in station porters) to help us board... They retrieve our luggage, help/drive us to the correct train and car all for a tip... Way before general public boarding lines up....

Be doing this for years, only way for us!!

 

[nicole83]

7:00AMTrain leaves Albany headed to NYC Penn station.-where we will connect to our 'overnight train'.We are having fun and enjoying the fabulous views of the Hudson River on this sunny morning!Saw tugboats and tankers and lighthouses-OH MY!We arrive in NYC by 10 AM and are greeted by the mobs of people there"We are not in Kansas anymore..."nothing like the rural life we have at home!

I'll be taking the Amtrak from Providence to FL, we have a connect at the NYC Penn station as well, is it difficult to find which train you are boarding at Penn Station?? I'm a little nervous about that lol.

 

[nicole83]

I can't wait to take the Amtrak to FL! We have a roomette. I think I'm as excited about the train ride as I am about the trip!!

 

[NJRRK]

I'll be taking the Amtrak from Providence to FL, we have a connect at the NYC Penn station as well, is it difficult to find which train you are boarding at Penn Station?? I'm a little nervous about that lol.

Might be a bit intimidating, but not hard. Penn Station is served by Amtrak, NJ Transit, LIRR (Long Island Railroad) and NYC Subway (aka MTA). Amtrak shares tracks with NJ Transit. When you get off the train look for the large board that will have all the Amtrak and NJT trains listed. That board will show the train number, name, track number and departure time Amtrak only uses a few tracks so it won't be too hard to find.
There will be hoards of people, but stay aware and only ask Amtrak employees for information.

 

[Miffy]

I can't wait to take the Amtrak to FL! We have a roomette. I think I'm as excited about the train ride as I am about the trip!!

Assuming you have time between trains, because you have a roomette, you can go to the Acela lounge at Penn Station. They'll let you know when your train's boarding and which track. It's very pleasant to wait there. Much nicer bathroom than the public restrooms at Penn Station. When we were there in December, an Amtrak employee took all of the passengers in the lounge to the gate when the track was announced, so we didn't have to wait in the line.

But even if you don't go to the lounge, they clearly post the track on a GIGANTIC board at least 15 minutes before departure.

 

[js]

Hi all! I am going to read through this thread and look foward to seeing the newest pictures.

I am headed to Disney via Amtrak, Newark, NJ on March 21, 2013.
It says to Orlando. Is that the stop that I wanted, not Kissimmee, is that correct?

It will just be me when I get off with a carryone and a piece of luggage.
Is it better for me to get in a cab (will one be there) or should I arrange a taxi to pick me up? If so, whom would I call.

Thanks all VERY much!