How bad is Amtrak?

Odysseus wrote:
> For the Chicago New York trip, I will book a "Viewliner
> Roomette." My total train fare will be about $700. This is for a room
> that is less than half the size of my walk in closet.

My sister & neice took the Chicago to NY train in 2001, shortly after
9/11 (they just weren't ready to fly yet). I think they paid around
$500 each. Overall, they viewed it as an adventure, but not necessarily
one that they'd want to repeat. They also booked a "roomette". When I
dropped them off for their return trip, I was allowed on the train to
see their accomodations. These things are tiny - unbelievably cramped -
but very cozy and cute. But, comparing it to the overnight train I took
from Stockholm to Hamburg - now that was luxury train travel.

I believe, at the time, their fare included all meals, which they
enjoyed. I think they were surprised at how rough the ride was. Sleep
was a challenge, even with having beds. And, the trip was long -
probably about 16 hours.

Amtrak is not known for being very punctual, so I'd allow at least 24
hours cushion in your schedule to meet your ship - 48 hours might be
even wiser.

Lee

LeeNY wrote:

> Amtrak is not known for being very punctual, so I'd allow at least 24
> hours cushion in your schedule to meet your ship - 48 hours might be
> even wiser.

I would say at least 48 hours, maybe longer depending on the time of
year. My son took Amtrak a couple of times from Montana to New York,
all quite a few years ago. One time there was a snow drift blocking
the tracks, another time some kind of garbage blocking the tracks. I
remember one of these trips he missed his connection in Chicago and
was delayed a day getting home.

sue

if your objective is just to get from Point A to B quickly, then forget
about Amtrak. Amtrak is an adventure and the joy is in the journey, not
the destinations... You will experience sights that you willl never see
flying or driving. The dining car is a nice experience .

You are correct, sir!
<veg_allm> wrote in message
news:1165876770.352962.138580@79g2000cws. ...
> if your objective is just to get from Point A to B quickly, then forget
> about Amtrak. Amtrak is an adventure and the joy is in the journey, not
> the destinations... You will experience sights that you willl never see
> flying or driving. The dining car is a nice experience .
>

Tobie Gerbrandt wrote:
> You can say that again!
>
> We took the Amtrak from Santa Ana CA to Tacoma WA after our cruise on the
> Mercury last spring. They were scheduled to arrive at Tacoma at about 5:30
> PM and the train finally pulled into the station around midnight.
>
> PS Barb travels with an electric scooter because she can't do stairs. They
> had told us that she could move up to the sightseeing level after Los
> Angeles. This was impossible!!! They stuck us in the Handicap car with all
> the seats facing backwards. Although it was a somewhat interresting trip
> for my 10 year old Grandson and myself (we could move around the train), it
> was absolutely dreadful for Barb.
>
> I would truly hate to be stuck in a train car (lower level) and facing
> backward for over 40 hours, especially after their customer service people
> assured us that I would be able to move around the train. %$&(*(*@##!
>
> They damaged two of our bags, and instead of paying for the repairs, they
> were kind enough to offer us a $75.00 credit certificate (non-transferable)
> for a future trip on AMTRAK. We wouldn't take another trip like that if it
> was FREE. :-(
>
That puts you ahead of flying where bag damage is your fault.



snip

No long distance trip on AMTRAK is "short" ... in general, trains are
late, equipment is in bad repair, accommodations are not clean, rails
are in horrible condition, dining car is overcrowded [with more seatings
than a cruise ship], fares for sleepers are high, etc.

And then there is scheduling: For example, on the East Coast, there are
two daily trains from New York/Fort Lauderdale/Miami ... they both
arrive in Florida in the PM [too late for cruise ship sailings on the
same day] and both leave from Florida in the AM [too early for cruise
ship arrivals on the same day].

It is a continually worsening scenario ... and a pity!