Chicago to New York City

[SarahZ]

My boyfriend and I are planning a vacation to NYC next October. I'm undecided about which route to take. Amtrak has suggested three:

1) Lake Shore Limited

2) Cardinal

3) Capitol Limited --> Pennsylvanian

I'm not entirely jazzed about the third option since it involves a transfer, so I'm wondering which of the first two is better, more scenic, etc. I don't mind that one is longer than the other, as it's all about the scenery and experience for me. I'm leaning toward the Cardinal since it goes through several major cities and the Appalachians.

I'm happy to see both routes use Viewliners. I've never been in a Viewliner roomette, and I love that it has a window for both bunks.

 

[Blackwolf]

My boyfriend and I are planning a vacation to NYC next October. I'm undecided about which route to take. Amtrak has suggested three:

1) Lake Shore Limited

2) Cardinal

3) Capitol Limited --> Pennsylvanian

I'm not entirely jazzed about the third option since it involves a transfer, so I'm wondering which of the first two is better, more scenic, etc. I don't mind that one is longer than the other, as it's all about the scenery and experience for me. I'm leaning toward the Cardinal since it goes through several major cities and the Appalachians.

I'm happy to see both routes use Viewliners. I've never been in a Viewliner roomette, and I love that it has a window for both bunks.

I can only speak from riding on the LSL several times, but from what others have said in other posts about the Cardinal it is a catch-22. The LSL is much more comfortable with more on-board amenities, including a full dining car, but does not have the most spectacular scenery and most of the trip is overnight.

The Cardinal has fantastic scenery, some of the best in the East, but the service aboard is below the national standard and lacks a diner.

 

[SarahZ]

Weird. The Cardinal has a dining car menu on Amtrak's site, but then it says "dinette" instead of "dining car" under Amenities.

Now I'm confused.

 

[johnny.menhennet]

(Even though he hasn't trolled on here for a month) I would take USrail21's Metroliner high-speed service to Louisville, (the one that can make it in 15 hours at 125 mph) then take an all-of-a-sudden restored Kentucky Cardinal day train to Chicago (yes I know he didn't actually propose that). Simple. But seriously, if you don't mind low food/service quality and a longer trip time, the Cardinal would be better scenery-wise

 

[Acela150]

Weird. The Cardinal has a dining car menu on Amtrak's site, but then it says "dinette" instead of "dining car" under Amenities.

Now I'm confused.

The Cardinal runs with a Diner-Lite. Meaning precooked meals that are put in a microwave. Not the best food but it's the scenery that counts. But with the card comes delays most of the time. In the past month though the OTP has improved to where at some points it was early at WAS through to NYP.

 

[MiRider]

I've only been on the LSL and I thought the scenery was pretty nice.

Once the sun comes up - eastbound - there were some gorgeous sights.

I believe it's the south side of the train - right side/east, left side/west that was the most scenic.

Trying to get a beer before the train hooks up with the Boston section in Albany is impossible though.

Have you decided where you're staying in NYC?

I found this cute little place that I'm going to try on my next trip.

It's like a cute little Ikea hotel and the prices are awesome for NYC, rooms as cheap as $79, not sure about the rates for October though.

You can take the E train there - it's on 51st between 2nd & 3rd, a few blocks away from The Waldorf.

The Pod Hotel

 

[greatcats]

If it was me, I might lean toward taking the Capitol Limited, but I would skip the transfer in Pittsburgh, which is at a not so convenient hour. Take the Capitol to Washington, which is quite a beautiful ride eastbound, and then transfer for New York. I have ridden all three trains ( except the Pennsylvania in recent years ) and they all have their pluses and minuses. The Capitol is a doble decker Superliner.

 

[johnny.menhennet]

If it was me, I might lean toward taking the Capitol Limited, but I would skip the transfer in Pittsburgh, which is at a not so convenient hour. Take the Capitol to Washington, which is quite a beautiful ride eastbound, and then transfer for New York. I have ridden all three trains ( except the Pennsylvania in recent years ) and they all have their pluses and minuses. The Capitol is a doble decker Superliner.

Disregard what I said earlier. After thinking about it, this is a better option by far.

 

[TCRT]

The October scenery on the Cardinal is very, very good and for me was well worth the service levels and probable delays characteristic of that route (my train was four hours late at one point, and got to NYP at 1:20AM). The service levels didn't bother me, but I was in coach and only ate off the cafe menu, and furthermore I'm a student and therefore have very low standards relative to the typical membership on this forum.

I have also taken the Lake Shore Limited eastbound once, though I was in the Boston section, and therefore can't say anything about the ALB-NYP part of that trip (which I hear is perhaps the most scenic). Despite this limitation, I will say that the CHI-ALB scenery was not as good as any part of the Cardinal save perhaps Indiana or the NEC (at least in my opinion), but the menu in the diner was a bit better than the cafe menu in the Cardinal.

Also, I will say that there were many more people on the Lake Shore Limited than on the Cardinal. The former train is also much longer (if you need a walk) and (from my limited experience) tends to get far more CHI-NYP through traffic ( I think something like two coach passengers actually rode the Cardinal I was on for the entire route).

 

[Blue Marble Travel]

I absolutely vote with my two fellow posters here, and have traveled all 3 routes often. The Capitol Limited all the way in to DC is as pretty as the Cardinal route, and a far better train. Westbound it's a harder choice, especially in winter (gets dark early — might give the nod to one of the other two westbound). But eastbound, the Pittsburgh - Washington part of the Cap's route is beautiful, and the Sightseer Lounge makes it easy to appreciate.

If it was me, I might lean toward taking the Capitol Limited, but I would skip the transfer in Pittsburgh, which is at a not so convenient hour. Take the Capitol to Washington, which is quite a beautiful ride eastbound, and then transfer for New York. I have ridden all three trains ( except the Pennsylvania in recent years ) and they all have their pluses and minuses. The Capitol is a doble decker Superliner.

Disregard what I said earlier. After thinking about it, this is a better option by far.

 

[pennyk]

I would take the cardinal (if you like scenery and get a decent fare) or the LSL. The CL currently is under service alert and there is a possibility of a bustitution from Pittsburgh to WAS. I am on the CL and we are running late, but fortunately not too late. We are past PGH now.

I have only taken the LSL westbound and have taken the Cardinal eastbound to Charlottesville. I think the Cardinal's scenery is the best of the 3 trains and the dining is the worst. It is probably the most expensive and most difficult on which to get a sleeper.

 

[jis]

For spectacular mountain scenery I'd go with the Cardinal. For spectacular river valley scenery I'd go with the LSL, and if Horseshoe Curve is of interest, one would choose CL/Penssylvanian, and finally if Sand Patch is of interest the choice would be the Capitol. Opinions about scenery are by their very nature subjective, so they do vary from person to person. I have this thing for the Mohawk and Hudson Valley Norman Rockwell country scenery, so I tend to choose the LSL myself.

 

[cirdan]

For spectacular mountain scenery I'd go with the Cardinal. For spectacular river valley scenery I'd go with the LSL, and if Horseshoe Curve is of interest, one would choose CL/Penssylvanian, .

another aspect that makes Pennsylvanian interesting (to me at least) is Pennsylvania Dutch Country and occasionally catching glimpses of the Amish tilling the fieds or goind about their fascinating life.

 

[amamba]

Since you have never done a viewliner train, I would do the cardinal or the LSL. Can you take the Cardinal eastbound and the LSL westbound? That way you can experience both

 

[jb64]

Since you have never done a viewliner train, I would do the cardinal or the LSL. Can you take the Cardinal eastbound and the LSL westbound? That way you can experience both

Great suggestion!

 

[the_traveler]

Weird. The Cardinal has a dining car menu on Amtrak's site, but then it says "dinette" instead of "dining car" under Amenities.

Now I'm confused.

The Cardinal runs with a Diner-Lite. Meaning precooked meals that are put in a microwave.

One small correction. The diner-lite meals are reheated in a convection oven, not a microwave! And if you do chose the Cardinal, chose eastbound for the best scenery. (Also be aware that the Cardinal only operates 3 times a week, while the others run daily!)

 

[rrdude]

Weird. The Cardinal has a dining car menu on Amtrak's site, but then it says "dinette" instead of "dining car" under Amenities.

Now I'm confused.

The Cardinal runs with a Diner-Lite. Meaning precooked meals that are put in a microwave.

One small correction. The diner-lite meals are reheated in a convection oven, not a microwave! And if you do chose the Cardinal, chose eastbound for the best scenery. (Also be aware that the Cardinal only operates 3 times a week, while the others run daily!)

Dave is correct, while pre-prepared and pre-plated (a la Airline First Class meals, in "general") they are re-heated in a convection oven, and the results can be quite tasty, to big-time-YUCK, on the SAME PLATE!

I cast my vote for the CAP, just because of the full diner, scenery is step below the CARD, but the fact that you have a full SSL car trumps all else.

To me, train travel is about scenery and amenities. I was so disappointed in my ride on the CARD last summer, it's still a bitter taste in my mouth. MY BAD for booking it. However, if you don't mind sitting in your roomette for most of the trip, then you may like the CARD, 'cause the lounge, "isn't". (As stated B4, it's an AmCan, with little windows, that doubles at the Dinette for FC on one end)

If your direction (East or West) and the time of year match up with a lot of day-time travel, the New River Gorge is very, very, pretty, IF you are on the correct side of the train..........

 

[VentureForth]

The other question is with regards to whether or not you have a sleeper.

The sleeper on the Cardinal typically runs about double that of the LSL. BUT, it does mitigate some of the other distresses that would otherwise plague this beautiful route - a bed to sleep in, a shower to refresh, coffee and juice at your leisure, and even the nicer items from the Diner Lite would be included. Without a sightseer lounge, you could still enjoy the views from your bedroom or roomette window. Though not as panoramic, it is much more private.

If you could only afford to do a sleeper one direction, that'd be my choice. Then, you can take the "quick" return by coming back via the Lakeshore Limited. If you want a different scenic and relaxing adventure, return via Washington DC and the Capitol Limited.

Be sure to check out http://biketrain.netfirms.com/amsnag/amSnag.php for the best rates, too. If you can snag a $333 roomette on the Cardinal, I'd snag it. Note you only have to pay for the room once - not $333 per person - in addition to both of your train fares. You might could even snag a room on the LSL on the return for as low as $266. But since it a much quicker journey, you could probably enjoy coach.

I don't know for sure, but I don't THINK I would take the 28 hours plus delays in coach on the Cardinal. 18 hours on the LSL would be easier...

 

[SarahZ]

Right now, I'm leaning toward taking the Capitol to Washington DC and then transferring to the late-night Acela or Northeast Regional. That would give us some time to walk around DC (provided the Cap isn't delayed several hours). I didn't even think about that when plugging in routes, so thanks for the heads-up.

I'm not sure if we're getting a sleeper yet or not, so the Viewliner/Superliner difference isn't super important to me. I'm pushing for a sleeper, but BF hates paying for a sleeper when the trip is only one night.

 

[afigg]

I would take the cardinal (if you like scenery and get a decent fare) or the LSL. The CL currently is under service alert and there is a possibility of a bustitution from Pittsburgh to WAS. I am on the CL and we are running late, but fortunately not too late. We are past PGH now.

According to the CL service alert, the CSX tunnel and track work that can result in a bustitution is supposed to be completed by next August. The poster is traveling next October, so that possibility should be over by then.

However, in the PIP report for the LSL and CL, Amtrak may change their CHI departure times to have the LSL depart earlier and the CL become the later train. The schedule flip can't be done until the CSX tunnel work is completed, so it could take place next October, but can't be planned for one way or the other.

Another factor in planning a October trip is the fall colors. If the trip is in early October, the LSL and CL should have the peak fall colors; later in October, the Cardinal would encounter the peak fall colors.

 

[VentureForth]

Right now, I'm leaning toward taking the Capitol to Washington DC and then transferring to the late-night Acela or Northeast Regional. That would give us some time to walk around DC (provided the Cap isn't delayed several hours). I didn't even think about that when plugging in routes, so thanks for the heads-up.

I'm not sure if we're getting a sleeper yet or not, so the Viewliner/Superliner difference isn't super important to me. I'm pushing for a sleeper, but BF hates paying for a sleeper when the trip is only one night.

Can someone more familiar with the LSL tell me if dinner is served with a 9:40 departure then again with the 6:45 arrival the next evening? If not, two meals more on the Cardinal.

 

[SarahZ]

Just wanted to add: we'll probably take the LSL home. That way, we can experience different scenery. Plus, the schedule works out really well.

 

[FunNut]

I would favor the Capitol and a NER, changing in WAS. For one thing, a sleeper on the Capitol is less expensive than the LSL. The portion from D.C. to NYP is shorter and you don't need the roomette on that leg.

 

You get dinner on the Capitol, not so on the LSL due to the late departure out of CHI. The scenery in the morning, especially through Harper's Ferry, is really pretty o the Capitol. And walking around the WAS Union station is fun - the architecture is beautiful and there are lots of shops and cafes (including a Godiva store). There is the Postal Museum, across a little alley from the station, you can spend a warm hour or two in there while waiting for your next train. Or you could walk outside and up the hill to see the Capitol. You would also get the use of the Metropolitan Lounge in the station, where you could leave your luggage while walking around.

I would reject the Cap to Penn'n connection due to the terrible arrival time at the connecting point. And the LSL costs too much for a roomette. I went through this same decision process earlier this year. Check Amsnag to compare costs between the LSL and the Cap/NER.

 

[SarahZ]

And walking around the WAS Union station is fun - the architecture is beautiful and there are lots of shops and cafes (including a Godiva store). There is the Postal Museum, across a little alley from the station, you can spend a warm hour or two in there while waiting for your next train. Or you could walk outside and up the hill to see the Capitol.

Wonderful. I love architecture and history, so I was hoping the station was somewhat near the Capitol and other landmarks. That's good to know.

 

[Doggy1]

Be sure to tell us about your trip. We also will be taking the SWC to Albuquerque in March, but will be leaving from Grand Rapids to Chicago first.