Boston Sleeper Cancelled on 448(1) and 448(2)

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I understand from TrainOrders that the Boston sleeper on 448(1) was bad ordered with no replacement available. This threw those holding reservations in the Boston sleeper into disarray as not all of them could be accommodated in the two New York Sleepers.

I understand that the Boston sleeper on 448(2) was also cancelled.

These cancellations appear unrelated to the scheduled cancellations due to track work which appears on the Amtrak service alerts. Those are inconvenient enough.

Pathetic. This is a further demonstration that 448 and 449 are the Rodney Dangerfield trains of the Amtrak system. They just get no respect.

They are sort of like the strange dog in the neighborhood. You can feed it for several days and things will be fine but you never know when it is going to turn mean and bite your hand.
 
I understand from TrainOrders that the Boston sleeper on 448(1) was bad ordered with no replacement available. This threw those holding reservations in the Boston sleeper into disarray as not all of them could be accommodated in the two New York Sleepers.

I understand that the Boston sleeper on 448(2) was also cancelled.

These cancellations appear unrelated to the scheduled cancellations due to track work which appears on the Amtrak service alerts. Those are inconvenient enough.

Pathetic. This is a further demonstration that 448 and 449 are the Rodney Dangerfield trains of the Amtrak system. They just get no respect.

They are sort of like the strange dog in the neighborhood. You can feed it for several days and things will be fine but you never know when it is going to turn mean and bite your hand.
The Texas Eaglette is the real Rodney Dangerfield of LD Trains!
 
The Texas Eaglette is the real Rodney Dangerfield of LD Trains!
I don't deny that the Texas Eagle has been sufficiently downgraded with the loss of the diner and lounge to become Amtrak's worst western train but I think the Boston section of the Lake Shore loses its sleeper on short notice or no notice much more often than the Eagle.
 
I don't deny that the Texas Eagle has been sufficiently downgraded with the loss of the diner and lounge to become Amtrak's worst western train but I think the Boston section of the Lake Shore loses its sleeper on short notice or no notice much more often than the Eagle.
The Eaglette also has lost its Transdorm leaving one Revenue Sleeper in the 4 Car Consist which has to accommodate the Crew resulting in ultra High Bucket Fares to go along with the Flex Meals served in the CCC on the 32+ Hour Trip from Chicago to San Antonio.

It also has 1 P-42 which often breaks down and results in Rescue engines having to be obtained from UP and BNSF and causing regular delays.

I don't deny that the Boston Lake Shore Section has its problems, but the Eaglette used to be one of Amtraks best performing LD Trains with good Crews and great Food!🥺🤬
 
The Texas Eaglette is the real Rodney Dangerfield of LD Trains!

Actually, it should be called the “Texas Eaglet.” An eaglet is a baby eagle—either a hatchling or young eagle.

Either way, what a pathetic excuse for a train. It had 2 coaches, 1 CCC, and 2 sleepers when I saw it in Dallas back in May!
 
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on the weekends the lake shore boston section is cancelled the mbta is only bussing from south station to Boston Landing station with their trains running the rest of the way to Worcester. I think it is only for a highway project that is very close to the railroad actually not anything connected to the railroad itself. It is too bad Amtrak chose to cancel the trains and bus all the way to albany new york instead of to Boston Landing or Framingham for that matter. Also too bad they took off baggage service in my opinion when they still have baggage service at Boston south station for train 66. The cost savings from the cut to the Lake shore limited baggage service cut had to be very minimal
 
I understand from TrainOrders that the Boston sleeper on 448(1) was bad ordered with no replacement available. This threw those holding reservations in the Boston sleeper into disarray as not all of them could be accommodated in the two New York Sleepers.

I understand that the Boston sleeper on 448(2) was also cancelled.

These cancellations appear unrelated to the scheduled cancellations due to track work which appears on the Amtrak service alerts. Those are inconvenient enough.

Pathetic. This is a further demonstration that 448 and 449 are the Rodney Dangerfield trains of the Amtrak system. They just get no respect.

They are sort of like the strange dog in the neighborhood. You can feed it for several days and things will be fine but you never know when it is going to turn mean and bite your hand.
:mad::mad: Classic. I hope anyone who experienced this calls Customer Relations.
 
I was in Boston for work two weeks ago or so and noticed that they are decking over the expressway near Back Bay Station on Boylston Street, is this that project? Like at Mass Ave by the music school.
 
Not sure if that was the project but it does sound about right. I heard it was something on I-90 mass pike which does parallel the railroad at the point you mentioned. It is a shame that we are comparing which trains downgrades are worse than the others! I guess I would say the Texas Eagle situation is a bit worse because of the length of the trip overnight. At least the Lake shore Boston section connects to the New York section at Albany NY so you have some options. Hopefully the Ethan Allen going to Burlington Vermont will be the first in a lot of new service to talk about in the coming years
 
At least the Lake shore Boston section connects to the New York section at Albany NY so you have some options.
Except when you have sleeper reservations for the Boston sleeper and the sleeper is abruptly cancelled and the New York sleepers are unable to accommodate all or any of the displaced Boston sleeper passengers. Enjoy your unexpected overnight coach trip.

Ever notice that when one of the Lake Shore sleepers is bad-ordered, it almost always seems to be the Boston sleeper.
 
I don't deny that the Boston Lake Shore Section has its problems, but the Eaglette used to be one of Amtraks best performing LD Trains with good Crews and great Food!🥺🤬
Indeed, the Texas Eagle used to be one of my favorite trains. I wasn't expecting it to be a great train until I actually rode it and found out how much I enjoyed that route. But with the loss of the diner and the sightseer lounge car, it has been downgraded to the point that I now avoid it in my travels (as I do with the eastbound Boston section of the Lake Shore.)
 
Welp...Track Work Affects Lake Shore Limited Service
Effective December 4–19, 2021

Track work being performed by MBTA will affect Trains 448 and 449 on the following dates, December 4–5, 11–12 and 18–19, between Albany and Boston, as follows:

Train 448 Albany–Boston Service on Saturday and Sunday
  • Train 448, which normally operates between Chicago and Boston, will terminate at Albany on the above dates. Alternate transportation will be provided to the missed stops of Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester and Boston–South Station. No alternate transportation will be provided to the missed stop of Framingham.
  • Passengers ticketed to Back Bay will be bused to Boston South and then take an Amtrak or MBTA commuter train between Boston South and Back Bay.

Train 449 Boston–Albany Service on Saturday and Sunday
  • Train 449, which normally operates between Boston and Chicago, will originate at Albany on the above dates. Alternate transportation will be provided to the missed stops of Boston, Worcester, Springfield and Pittsfield. No alternate transportation will be provided for the missed stops of Back Bay and Framingham.
  • Passengers traveling from Back Bay have the option of boarding at Boston South or traveling on alternate dates.

Boston–South Station and Worcester
  • Passengers at Boston–South Station should go to the Amtrak Information Desk for instructions on boarding the buses.
  • Passengers at Worcester will board the bus at the main entrance in front of the station. Boarding will not occur at the Bus Terminal.
 
on the weekends the lake shore boston section is cancelled the mbta is only bussing from south station to Boston Landing station with their trains running the rest of the way to Worcester. I think it is only for a highway project that is very close to the railroad actually not anything connected to the railroad itself. It is too bad Amtrak chose to cancel the trains and bus all the way to albany new york instead of to Boston Landing or Framingham for that matter. Also too bad they took off baggage service in my opinion when they still have baggage service at Boston south station for train 66. The cost savings from the cut to the Lake shore limited baggage service cut had to be very minimal
There is a large project to rebuild the Mass Pike viaduct in the area since with the advent of electronic tolling the Mass Pike (I-90) no longer needs the current arrangement oriented toward toll collection. That may be the construction in question. I suspect that 448/449 could not originate in Framingham or Boston Landing because there is no place to turn the train or service it there. MBTA can deal with it as all their trains are push-pull. Well technically Amtrak could probably turn a train in Framingham using the CSX wye but I suspect it would be too difficult dealing with CSX easier to just cancel the train outright :(

I agree the loss of the baggage cars stinks especially since the Viewliners have no place to store bags like the Superliners do. On the trips I have taken there was an empty roomette where the bags were stored. Requires the SCAs to get creative especially if the car is sold out. I have usually had good SCAs on 448/449 I must say.
 
I hear what you are saying about turning the train, but if that is the case then you could just run it with an engine on each end on weekends like the downeasters do every day. Don't know the whole layout of framingham but I remember there being a pocket track near the station where I have seen the mbta framingham short turns layover. As far as servicing, Engineers can inspect engines if needed or you could cab/taxi a carmen or coach cleaner out from Boston for a few days. Anyway, I understand it might be a little challenge and more cost but if Amtrak really cared about the protecting the service I think you could get it done instead of the long bus ride
 
I hear what you are saying about turning the train, but if that is the case then you could just run it with an engine on each end on weekends like the downeasters do every day. Don't know the whole layout of framingham but I remember there being a pocket track near the station where I have seen the mbta framingham short turns layover. As far as servicing, Engineers can inspect engines if needed or you could cab/taxi a carmen or coach cleaner out from Boston for a few days. Anyway, I understand it might be a little challenge and more cost but if Amtrak really cared about the protecting the service I think you could get it done instead of the long bus ride
As indicated there is a way but there is just no will.
 
Happened to me once in Chicago on our way back to Boston. I was travelling with a mildly disabled person that couldn't imagine a night in the coach. The station staff and the first conductor I talked to were typically unhelpful - NYC sleepers sold out. But fortunately I talked to the car attendant, who I happened to remember, and he found a room. He argued with the conductor for me, and we finally got the spot. After all that fuss, they never recharged the point refund on my account, and I didn't feel the need to remind them.

Gotta love Amtrak. Otherwise I'd never go back :)

p.s. You are right about the Mass Pike straightening. Just wait until they start replacing the entire Mass Pike former railroad yard section in a few years right over the tracks. Will be a nightmare for Amtrak and MBTA.
 
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