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

[EPCOTatNight]

Thanks for this thread.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Thanks for this thread.

It seems us train enthustists meet here.....that's regular train users....

 

[lisa-upnorth]

It seems us train enthustists meet here.....that's regular train users....

I am off for a 3 day train vacation to NYC in a few weeks
Gotta have some train fun now! Can't wait until 2013 when the WDW construction is done and I return!

 

[pepe of ohio]

I am off for a 3 day train vacation to NYC in a few weeks
Gotta have some train fun now! Can't wait until 2013 when the WDW construction is done and I return!

My wife tok her sister from Alliance Ohio to Chicago for an overnight shopping trip....sister's first time on a train.....though both going and coming trains were late..sister had the time of her life.....

She enjoyed the total free feeling of all the room around the seats, observation car, dining car.....ehough a short trip, she was elated.....and they had a ball in Chicago.....beats driving any day....and again, I don't fly!

 

[teri218]

Going to WDW. We have a ride to Philly. Do they have porters there to take your luggage. We will pick our tickets up once we get there. Can someone share the routine from drop off to getting on the train.
Thanks.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Going to WDW. We have a ride to Philly. Do they have porters there to take your luggage. We will pick our tickets up once we get there. Can someone share the routine from drop off to getting on the train.
Thanks.

Hi there, yes, there are Red Caps (Amtrak baggage handlers ) in the station to assist with baggage.....or you can haul them yourself to either the train or to the baggage counter to be placed in the baggage car.....

We use the Red Caps at any station that has them (only the big transfer stations have them) and we place our luggage in the baggage car and only take our carry ons and snack/food bag on with us but we still have a Red Cap assist us...they will get you and your bags about 15 minutes before general train boarding and take you to the correct car and assist with your bags, all for the price of a tip.....we like it because we get to board without waiting in the long general boarding line, we're seated and settled long before the others, pretty much pick our seats and for about a 5 dollar bill....prefer the service.....either way....Red Caps are there to assist....not alot of them so look for their station and engage one early.....

 

[torinsmom]

If anyone is looking to buy Amtrak points, they are giving 30% extra free right now. I don't know how often they do that. I will probably need some points for our trip in July, but not sure how many. Hope they do this again closer to my trip

Has everyone been remembering to go through Amtrak points site to get your points for shopping? I've racked up quite a few points the last few weeks.

 

[GetGlowing]

Husband and I are catching the Cardinal in Ashland, Ky., tonight, going to the Chicago area for his grandmother's funeral. If anyone has questions about the Cardinal, I'll see what I can find out.

 

[TandyR]

On Monday I booked our train trip from Boston to Orlando for the end of June. This will be our third time taking the train to WDW. We always do sleepers. The first time our youngest was so young the four of us could fit in a bedroom, now we do two roomettes. I was able to cash in a bunch of AmEx membership rewards points for $600 worth of Amtrak gift certificates so that brought the cost down to $1100. I don't know which I am more excited about going to WDW or taking the train again to get there.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

On Monday I booked our train trip from Boston to Orlando for the end of June. This will be our third time taking the train to WDW. We always do sleepers. The first time our youngest was so young the four of us could fit in a bedroom, now we do two roomettes. I was able to cash in a bunch of AmEx membership rewards points for $600 worth of Amtrak gift certificates so that brought the cost down to $1100. I don't know which I am more excited about going to WDW or taking the train again to get there.

we always enjoy the train trip as much as our disney time!!!! HAVE FUN!

 

[lisa-upnorth]

If anyone is looking to buy Amtrak points, they are giving 30% extra free right now. I don't know how often they do that. I will probably need some points for our trip in July, but not sure how many. Hope they do this again closer to my trip

Has everyone been remembering to go through Amtrak points site to get your points for shopping? I've racked up quite a few points the last few weeks.

Thanks for the info on the points sale!!
I do try to remember the shopping points BUT now that you mention it I just ordered a ton of stuff from Snapfish and forgot to go through Amtrak

 

[lisa-upnorth]

just wanted to give all my train loving friends the heads up that as of April 2012 Amtrak will be changing the points needed to be redeemed for a trip/ticket. Their website says that since the point costs have been the same since 2006 it was time to up them It is still a nice deal for travel but if you know you are traveling this year I would book before April to use less points!!

***Effective April 1, 2012, a few of our Amtrak travel redemption items will require additional points. Points required for free Amtrak travel have not increased since January 2006 and it is necessary to make some adjustments in order to stay in line with today’s costs. Amtrak redemption reservations that are made prior to April 1, 2012 for travel beginning on or after April 1, 2012 will not incur additional point costs unless the member requests a modification to the itinerary.

Redemption Item ------ Current points required for award ----- New points

• Acela Express First Class 10,500 12,000
• Business Class - Northeast Zone 6,500 7,500
• Coach Class - Northeast Zone 3,000 4,000
• Business Class - Special Route 1,500 2,000
• Coach Class - Special Route 1,000 1,500
• Bedroom - One Zone 20,000 25,000
• Bedroom - Two Zones 30,000 40,000
• Bedroom - Three Zones 50,000 60,000

 

[pepe of ohio]

We're headed out on the "old rattler" in a few days...and I usually quit reading all these forums a week or so before we leave.......if anyone is interested, we'll report back on our trip when we return.....happy reading to everyone....all aboard!

 

[Miffy]

Pepe -- Have a great trip! Say hi to WL for me.

 

[torinsmom]

Nevermind, I am still wishywashy on what to do. Had posted about someone else using a refund voucher, but I think I will try to save the extra to Amtrak is after all.

Marsha

 

[lisa-upnorth]

https://creditcards.chase.com/credit-cards/amtrak-guest-rewards-mastercard.aspx

current promo for guest rewards Chase card is 12,000 points when you sign up and use it once(buy $10 in gas!)
Until April 1st it is 20,000 points for a bedroom to disney from anywhere on the east coast(after that they are raising the points needed to 25,000)

sign up and then a few days later have your hubby sign up to so you get 24,000 points to share

 

[Teacher03]

We're headed out on the "old rattler" in a few days...and I usually quit reading all these forums a week or so before we leave.......if anyone is interested, we'll report back on our trip when we return.....happy reading to everyone....all aboard!

Have a good trip. I look forward to reading your trip report

 

[Kara315]

How are the bed's in the bedroom, especially the bed ontop that folds down, Is there a ladder that helps you get up? Did it feel nice and sturdy when you or your family members laid down?
My mother and I will be taking a trip from Albany, NY to Orlando next year and were really excited about it. I'll most likely be sleeping in the foldout top bed and am the type that will probably get up once or twice during the night and worry i'd have a hard time getting down each time, I can't tell by videos how you get up and down, and of course worried I'll roll off lol .

And also, for the trip from Albany to Penn Station, it says there is no Checked Baggage Service, does that mean were only allowed the two carry-on's for each person? What about the other luggage we'd be bringing?

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Kara-you are taking my route to Disney so I know the deal about the bags well They do not offer checked baggage BUT you can bring all your luggage on with you.When you get into the car there will be a space at the back that is open for large luggage.You can then take smaller bags to your seat with you and place some overhead as well.

As for the upper bed-It is not the easiest thing to get into so I doubt you will be getting up and down in the night.Once up there you will sleep fine with the train rocking you

 

[Kara315]

Kara-you are taking my route to Disney so I know the deal about the bags well They do not offer checked baggage BUT you can bring all your luggage on with you.When you get into the car there will be a space at the back that is open for large luggage.You can then take smaller bags to your seat with you and place some overhead as well.

As for the upper bed-It is not the easiest thing to get into so I doubt you will be getting up and down in the night.Once up there you will sleep fine with the train rocking you

Thanks Lisa, I was worried about the baggage. My mother and I will have two actual "luggage" bags each and then a "tote" each as well, so we won't have too much, but glad the bigger bags can come on as well.
I was worried during the night I'd have to get down, maybe to use the restroom but i'm sure i'll sleep fine, probably will be tired by the end of the day. Did you ever sleep in the top bunk? Did it seem sturdy enough, I'm sure it's fine though, I think I saw a pick with an adult male sleeping up top so I'd be fine up there.
Really appreciate all the info! Very excited to take the train for the first time. I hate flying!!