Rest Stops on Various Amtrak Routes

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Hey guys, would any of you know what stops along the Sunset Limited, Crescent and Capitol Limited are where the crew lets you get out for a few minutes to stretch and get fresh air? Thanks!

-F59PHI450
 
Hey guys, would any of you know what stops along the Sunset Limited, Crescent and Capitol Limited are where the crew lets you get out for a few minutes to stretch and get fresh air? Thanks!
When you look at the Schedule for each train, some Stations note Arrival and Departure Times separately. At these stations you can generally step outside for a few minutes. At other stations, it depends on the Conductor's discretion. If they are not in a hurry to make up time, they will announce a "smoking stop" from time to time. You can always ask a staff member on the train when the next one is likely to be. When the others step off to smoke next to the train, just step a few feet farther off and enjoy the fresh air. Just be sure you can get back on board before the last of all the others, though! (Sometimes last one back gets left behind... I've seen it happen!)
 
Welcome to the forum!

If you look at the schedule(s) and see a separate time for "Ar" and "Dp", at those stops you could get off for a few minutes. (But be warned that if the train is running late, that 20 or 30 minute stop may turn into only 10 or 15 minutes!) Just to be on the safe side, stay near the train and be ready to reboard! (The train may leave without you!)

Also, the crew may announce some other "extended" stops.
 
These were all of the designated smoke/rest stops on the Sunset out of New Orleans to L.A. I have taken this route twice and both times these were all the same.

Lafayette (just a couple of minutes)

Beaumont (crew change location; usually 5-10 minutes)

Houston (usually 10-15 minutes)

San Antonio (over two hours)

Del Rio (just a couple of minutes)

El Paso (around 45 minutes)

Maricopa

Palm Springs (I think)

On the Crescent heading from N.O to NYC, the ones I know for sure are:

Meridian (a few minutes)

Birmingham (usually around ten minutes)

Atlanta (around 20 minutes)

Charlotte

...plus at least one or two more before reaching D.C.

D.C (usually 15-20 min while they switch engines)
 
For the Capitol Limited:

Toledo (4 minutes)

Pittsburgh (15 minutes)

Cumberland (7-10 minutes)

Cumberland is sometimes a double spot, so you'll have to detrain from the sleepers, wait until the train pulls forward, and then reboard through the coaches. The schedule gives 9 minutes for the stop in Cleveland, but when I rode the CL, the train stopped for no more than 2 minutes because we were late.
 
On the Crescent heading from N.O to NYC, the ones I know for sure are:
Meridian (a few minutes)

Birmingham (usually around ten minutes)

Atlanta (around 20 minutes)

Charlotte

...plus at least one or two more before reaching D.C.

D.C (usually 15-20 min while they switch engines)
To add to this, Greenville, Lynchburg, and Charlottesville are sometimes stops where you can get off, as they are all fairly large stops in terms of passengers and the fact that they have to check baggage. But as above posters have said, never venture away from the door you detrained from.
 
Thanks guys. The caution to stay close to the train is much appreciated, but I'm anything but new to Amtrak travel. I have done many trips on the Coast Starlight, and have gotten a few rides in on the Empire Builder, California Zephyr and Southwest Chief. I frequently ride the Pacific Surfliners too. The reason I'm asking is because I'll be on those particular trains for the first time this fall and I was curious to know where the "rest stops" were. Thanks again!

-F59PHI450
 
On the Crescent heading from N.O to NYC, the ones I know for sure are:
Meridian (a few minutes)

Birmingham (usually around ten minutes)

Atlanta (around 20 minutes)

Charlotte

...plus at least one or two more before reaching D.C.

D.C (usually 15-20 min while they switch engines)
To add to this, Greenville, Lynchburg, and Charlottesville are sometimes stops where you can get off, as they are all fairly large stops in terms of passengers and the fact that they have to check baggage. But as above posters have said, never venture away from the door you detrained from.
IAFIRC, Charlottesville is also a crew change point which might add a few minutes to your stop.
 
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