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

[BillyBuff]

Although I fly regularly, this just happened to me for the first time last year. Someone on the plane gave me this advice. Hold your nose and keep your mouth closed, then gently 'blow' [breathe] out. This 'popped' my ears and they felt 1000x better!

Sorry to hijack the thread - thanks for all the great Amtrak information!

I do that everytime the cabin pressure changes but the pain comes back a few minutes later. The worst was flying to Vegas a few years ago. I was doing this every 10 minutes until I couldn't "blow" anymore

 

[torinsmom]

Everyone here may already know this, but if you get the Orlando Magicard, you can get a 15% discount on Amtrak coach seats. You can use it for roomettes, but you will only get the discount for the rail fare, NOT the roomette. The Orlando MagicCard is free and you can get it here...

http://www.visitorlando.com/discounts-and-tickets/free-magicard-orlando-discount-card/

 

[NJGirl]

Latest update from Amtrak is a half mile stretch of track near Trenton is still flooded. NJ Transit which uses the same tracks is resuming service from New Brunswick (two stops north of Trenton) to NY Penn. Sounds like this section of track would be the only hold out to getting service restored from NY to Washington. Let's hope NJT, Septa, and Amtrak are back on track (literally) by the end of the week.

 

[BillyBuff]

UPDATE: Okay, the water has receded and AMTRAK is assessing the damage. Hopefully it's not that bad. I'm on the edge of my seat right now waiting for service confirmation. I don't really want to fly but if that's the only alternative then I guess I have to.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/flood-at-trenton-station-continues-to-put-chokehold-on-amtraks-busy-northeast-corridor-line/2011/08/30/gIQAi0KcpJ_story.html

 

[NJGirl]

UPDATE: Okay, the water has receded and AMTRAK is assessing the damage. Hopefully it's not that bad. I'm on the edge of my seat right now waiting for service confirmation. I don't really want to fly but if that's the only alternative then I guess I have to.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/flood-at-trenton-station-continues-to-put-chokehold-on-amtraks-busy-northeast-corridor-line/2011/08/30/gIQAi0KcpJ_story.html

Amtrak just posted as well that the tracks are now visible and waters have receded in Trenton. They are already working on needed track repairs and signals to get things up for safe operation. They said they will provide another update after 6 pm to discuss NEC operations btwn NY and Philly and if things can resume tomorrow. I'd say if anything was up tomorrow, it would be limited service at this point.


Also of note, the Auto Train resumes service in both directions tomorrow.
Looks like CSX has given the all clear for southern track south of Washington, so the only thing holding up the Silver Service would be track work in and around Trenton.

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Also of note, the Auto Train resumes service in both directions tomorrow.
Looks like CSX has given the all clear for southern track south of Washington, so the only thing holding up the Silver Service would be track work in and around Trenton.

Really? Please say this is true, I am booked for the Auto Train tomorrow and if it's not up and running we are *GULP* driving to WDW. I have checked Amtrak's site and there's been no update since last night. I called them, which I recommend NEVER to do, and got nowhere fast.

Oh please let the Auto Train be running tomorrow!

D4D

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Limited Northeast Regional service between New Haven and Springfield, Limited Empire Service between Albany/Rensselaer and New York, this afternoon, Auto Train between Sanford, Fla. and Lorton, Va., resumes tomorrow



Amtrak service between New York City and Boston is operating, including all Acela Express trains and most Northeast Regional service. Most Northeast Regional service is operating south of Philadelphia, but no Acela Express, Northeast Regional or other Amtrak trains can operate north of Philadelphia to New York due to flood damage near Trenton, N.J.

Engineering forces continue to work to restore service between Philadelphia and New York. The flood waters near Trenton, N.J, have receded and the track and signal repairs are underway to resume safe operation. Additional update will be provided this evening regarding service for Wednesday, Aug. 31.

The Auto Train operating between Sanford, Fla., and Lorton, Va., will resume on Wednesday, Aug. 31.

Amtrak will continue to provide updates via Amtrak.com, the Customer Contact Centers, Facebook, Twitter and the news media.

Passengers who have paid for travel on canceled trains can contact Amtrak to receive refunds without fee or penalty or can rebook for future travel. If tickets have not yet printed, the refund/rebook can be done on Amtrak.com or the free Amtrak iPhone “app.”

Amtrak regrets any inconvenience. This information is correct as of the above time and date. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant. Passengers are encouraged to call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com for schedule information and train status updates.

 

[BillyBuff]

Amtrak just posted as well that the tracks are now visible and waters have receded in Trenton. They are already working on needed track repairs and signals to get things up for safe operation. They said they will provide another update after 6 pm to discuss NEC operations btwn NY and Philly and if things can resume tomorrow. I'd say if anything was up tomorrow, it would be limited service at this point.

I think I will have to cancel this. It's unfortunate as I was looking forward to this. But things happen.

I am not going to wait until the last minute for update of train service because what if by Friday night there won't be much flights left being its a Labor Day weekend?

I also found a solution to my ear problems via my co-worker. He has the exact problem with cabin pressure. No matter how many times he'll clear his ears, the pressure builds back up again. He mentioned he takes a cold decongestant medicine before the flight takes off. That will help with the pressures in the ears.

 

[NJGirl]

Really? Please say this is true, I am booked for the Auto Train tomorrow and if it's not up and running we are *GULP* driving to WDW. I have checked Amtrak's site and there's been no update since last night. I called them, which I recommend NEVER to do, and got nowhere fast.

Oh please let the Auto Train be running tomorrow!

D4D

Friend AMTRAK on Facebook...they keep posting alerts there and in their AMTRAKNEC twitter feed.

But yes, as Lisa posted...Auto train resumes tomorrow!

Now if we can get the Silvers running for BillyBuff and I this weekend!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Friend AMTRAK on Facebook...they keep posting alerts there and in their AMTRAKNEC twitter feed.

But yes, as Lisa posted...Auto train resumes tomorrow!

Now if we can get the Silvers running for BillyBuff and I this weekend!

I hear angels singing, I swear! YES! I was not looking forward to driving to FL, I've been psyched about the Auto Train for months.

THANKS!

D4D

 

[BillyBuff]

Friend AMTRAK on Facebook...they keep posting alerts there and in their AMTRAKNEC twitter feed.

I have been following them on Facebook & twitter for the last 2 days lol

Also good info by searching google on "trenton station flooding" etc helps too

 

[BillyBuff]

Another Update:

It seems I cannot cancel my reservation leaving on Sept 3rd because it is NOT a cancelled train. I called them and that was what they told me. They said the 97 Silver Meteor is running "on-time" on Sept 3rd despite the Trenton station being out of commission.

I *can* cancel it but would have to pay the penalty as this is not a "cancelled train"

 

[NJGirl]

I'm guessing that's you posting on Amtrak's FB with Donald in your icon I think I just posted below you.

~Cristin

 

[BillyBuff]

I'm guessing that's you posting on Amtrak's FB with Donald in your icon I think I just posted below you.

~Cristin

That is me with Donald!

 

[BillyBuff]

Wait..am I dreaming or did someone sprinkle some pixie dust into my drink??

On Amtrak's site:

Earlier, Amtrak announced the Auto Train operating between Sanford, Fla., and Lorton, Va., will resume on Wednesday, Aug. 31. Service will also resume on that date for the full New York-Miami routes of the Silver Star (Trains 91 & 92) and Silver Meteor (Trains 97 & 98) and the full New York-Atlanta-New Orleans route of the Crescent (Trains 19 & 20).

Awwwww yeah!

 

[NJGirl]

Best news I've heard all day!!!!

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Get riding the rails everyone

 

[DMass]

Orlando or Kissimmee station. Which do you prefer?

And if you're not renting a car, do you use a taxi or a car service?

Thanks!

 

[BillyBuff]

Orlando or Kissimmee station. Which do you prefer?

And if you're not renting a car, do you use a taxi or a car service?

Thanks!

The Kissimmee station is a lot closer to WDW by a few miles than the Orlando one. I'm more used to the Orlando station since I used to go to universal Studios from there.

The last few times I have taken the Mears taxi service. The other car services don't seem to do any pickups from any of the Amtrak stations.

 

[BillyBuff]

MAJOR UPDATE!!

I'm on the 97 Silver Meteor that left Penn Station NYC at 3:15 PM today and just passed Trenton, NJ.

The roomette is surprisingly big. Well not big BIG as in an actual bedroom but it's doable. My wife & I are sitting facing each other. No problems with bangin knees.

Wish I can post a photo right now but I'm on an iPhone.

I'll update more later after our dinner.