Drakenwitch Report post Posted December 22, 2015 (edited) So who besides me is Amtraking it a long way just to get to ACen? Post your train number/route and expected arrival time to Union Station. Lake Shore Limited, expected in at 9:45AM on 5/19 (seeing as how Amtrak yields to every f***ing freight train on the rails, I usually get there just before noon) Edited December 22, 2015 by Drakenwitch Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kahad Report post Posted December 22, 2015 I'll be taking an Amtrak from Carbondale. Have not got my ticket yet, but I usually take the 7:30 AM train. It usually arrives at Union Station around 1:00 PM. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drakenwitch Report post Posted December 22, 2015 Heh. My train leaves at 3:45 on Wednesday in NYC. Good thing I can bring my own booze on the train. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shiggitay Report post Posted January 26, 2016 As Drakenwitch knows I'm considering joining him on the train to ACen, but I dunno if United Airlines will refund my ticket yet... I've not had the chance to call em to find out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drakenwitch Report post Posted January 27, 2016 As Drakenwitch knows I'm considering joining him on the train to ACen, but I dunno if United Airlines will refund my ticket yet... I've not had the chance to call em to find out. If you can't make it you can't make it. I'm usually playing games on my laptop on the train anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sailor Moon Crossplayer Report post Posted February 9, 2016 Taking Amtrak Illini #392. ETA at Union Station is 945 pm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drakenwitch Report post Posted February 21, 2016 So only 3 people Amtraking it? Shiggitay isn't able to cancel his flight and I know I'm not the only one in NYC going all the way out to Illinois for this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maybean Report post Posted March 24, 2016 Will be taking 4 Southwest Chief from Missouri. Expected to arrive on 5/19 at 3:15pm. First time, so we'll see! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kahad Report post Posted March 29, 2016 (edited) I've gotten my tickets. I'm be leaving Carbondale 7:30 AM on The Saluki. Should arrive at Union Station 1:30 PM. Edited March 29, 2016 by kahad Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shiggitay Report post Posted March 30, 2016 So only 3 people Amtraking it? Shiggitay isn't able to cancel his flight and I know I'm not the only one in NYC going all the way out to Illinois for this. Now that I know I'll have someone to share the ride with me I'll plan for AMTRAK for next year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drakenwitch Report post Posted April 1, 2016 Now that I know I'll have someone to share the ride with me I'll plan for AMTRAK for next year. I'm still surprised that it's cheaper to transfer from the Boston cars to the NYC cars on the way to Chicago than it would be to stay on the Boston run...even though both merge in Albany. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drakenwitch Report post Posted May 2, 2016 It's 2.5 weeks until I get on the Lake Shore Limited to Chicago. No one else from NYC is Amtraking it all the way there? There's alcohol on the train! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drakenwitch Report post Posted May 16, 2016 (edited) Two days until my train leaves Penn Station. Come on. There's a dining car, a cafe car, and I'm bringing booze (for the booze, as much as I say most age restrictions are absolute BS Amtrak is still a federally-subsidized railroad with a police force, so 21+ w/ID). Edited May 16, 2016 by Drakenwitch Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drakenwitch Report post Posted May 18, 2016 No one else from NYC? I have a bottle of Jack I'm going to open up on board tonight. Pre-Rosemont train party! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seilor Beckett Pace Report post Posted May 19, 2016 I'm not coming from THAT far away (Michigan) but I'm also taking the Amtrak to Chicago. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drakenwitch Report post Posted May 21, 2016 I'm not coming from THAT far away (Michigan) but I'm also taking the Amtrak to Chicago. Detroit? Port Huron? Somewhere around there? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drakenwitch Report post Posted May 24, 2016 I've seen a LOT of people from ACen in Union Station yesterday. Come on, who else did? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neutralist Report post Posted May 24, 2016 (edited) I suggest visit http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/ for some professional Amtrak riding tips. I also post over there using the same screen name. Hint: Make sure you sign up for Amtrak Guest Rewards. Got shitload of free business class travels that way. Next year I am considering going to AX2017 by riding the entire length of the Southwest Chief. Edited May 24, 2016 by neutralist Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drakenwitch Report post Posted May 24, 2016 I suggest visit http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/ for some professional Amtrak riding tips. I also post over there using the same screen name. Hint: Make sure you sign up for Amtrak Guest Rewards. Got shitload of free business class travels that way. Next year I am considering going to AX2017 by riding the entire length of the Southwest Chief. I hope you're buying a bedroom for the ride... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neutralist Report post Posted May 24, 2016 (edited) I hope you're buying a bedroom for the ride... Given that you are from NYC you probably have only tried the single-level "Viewliner" trains. Any train that goes out west of Chicago, including the #58/#59 City of New Orleans route, use the double-decker "Superliner" trains. The low clearance of NY Penn station prevents the use of the Superliner. Superliner coach seats are actually very comfortable and lies very flat compare to those economy-class flight seats. There is no need for a bedroom (or even a roomette, for that matter) unless you want privacy or you want to take shower. Very easy to move around to the sightseer lounge, restaurant car and the coach cars. The entire length of the SWC, going from CHI to LAX, takes about 44 hours, assuming clean traffic. Edited May 24, 2016 by neutralist Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sailor Moon Crossplayer Report post Posted May 25, 2016 I suggest visit http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/ for some professional Amtrak riding tips. I also post over there using the same screen name. Hint: Make sure you sign up for Amtrak Guest Rewards. Got shitload of free business class travels that way. Next year I am considering going to AX2017 by riding the entire length of the Southwest Chief. I plan on doing the same thing for AX and/or SDCC in the future as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drakenwitch Report post Posted May 25, 2016 Given that you are from NYC you probably have only tried the single-level "Viewliner" trains. Any train that goes out west of Chicago, including the #58/#59 City of New Orleans route, use the double-decker "Superliner" trains. The low clearance of NY Penn station prevents the use of the Superliner. Superliner coach seats are actually very comfortable and lies very flat compare to those economy-class flight seats. There is no need for a bedroom (or even a roomette, for that matter) unless you want privacy or you want to take shower. Very easy to move around to the sightseer lounge, restaurant car and the coach cars. The entire length of the SWC, going from CHI to LAX, takes about 44 hours, assuming clean traffic. Nope. Rode coach the whole way! Even had a seat to myself the trip to Chicago this year! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drakenwitch Report post Posted November 17, 2016 Bringing this back up. Who's crazy enough to ride all the way on the Lake Shore Limited (besides myself and Shiggitay) from New York to Chicago? The cafe car has alcohol! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drakenwitch Report post Posted December 26, 2016 ...no one? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shiggitay Report post Posted December 27, 2016 ...no one? I'm still trying to figure out how I'm getting to Chicago this coming year.... There's a SMALL chance (when I ask him) that a friend and I could drive out from CT.. i.e. I would go down there and then we drive up from there... I'll keep you posted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drakenwitch Report post Posted December 27, 2016 It would be faster than taking the train. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shiggitay Report post Posted December 27, 2016 It would be faster than taking the train. So true, but yeah he bailed on the idea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drakenwitch Report post Posted December 28, 2016 Here's the timetable for my train. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sailor Moon Crossplayer Report post Posted January 11, 2017 I will be riding the Illini/Saluki in business class to ACen in style Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drakenwitch Report post Posted January 11, 2017 Too bad my train only offers coach or the super-expensive bedrooms. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
