Close! They were invented by a Frenchman named Philippé Filoppe.I think it was Mr. Flip Flop.![]()
Close! They were invented by a Frenchman named Philippé Filoppe.I think it was Mr. Flip Flop.![]()
Getting back to the OP question, we‘ve only had maybe a half dozen same day connection in LA. It is such a magnificent station we have a hard time leaving it for a meal, especially in the evening when its restaurants are open (yes, for a 5am arrival on the Sunset you can’t beat Phillipes).Around and across from the station there appear to be a lot of eateries, any recommendations for somewhere within say 20 minutes walk, decent quality and not top end prices?
As said, perhaps not with all our bags
Yeah, they are all good, but lamb is the best.I like their lamb version.
And an Italian Beef in Chicago. Unfortunately the Al's Italian Beef that was only about a block from Union Station closedAdd a Texas Smoked Brisket Sandwich with all the Trimmings to your list!
The Indianapolis Union Station Great Hall at W Jackson Pl and Illinois St is part of the Crowne Plaza Hotel and is used as special event space. It isn't even used as the lobby of the hotel and is entirely separate from the Amtrak station.Indianapolis station, entrance.
Is the Grand Hall the entrance/exit to the station? the one in W Jackson Pl with the imposing facade? Or is this divorced from the current Amtrak station?
I'm struggling to find after comments above where the entrance is, any clues please?
The Amtrak/Greyhound station is in space that used to be part of Indianapolis' Railway Express Agency facilities. While REA's facilities were part of the overall Union Station complex, all passenger facilities were on the other side of Illinois St back in the day.Thank you very much, that clears it up nicely.
It does look as though the dividing up of the old station is very messy, starting to get a flavour of what to expect.
Depending on how many bags you are dealing with, one idea to 'lighten the load' would be to ship 1 or 2 bags via UPS ground to your Washington area destination about a week before you'd arrive there. That way, you won't be trying to juggle multiple rolling bags and a back pack between LAX and WAS. Also, if travelling in a roomette between IND and WAS, there's very limited space for suitcases in Viewliner sleeping cars. With one person, a 'giant' suitcase can be put in the upper bunk. With two, about all that would fit would be a medium suitcase in the cubby above the aisle and 2 airline carryon size bags, one under each seat. The rest would have to be checked. In a Superliner (train #2/422), there's luggage storage downstairs next to the doors. There's much more open space in a bedroom for large luggage.
My shipping preference would be UPS. They have been flawless at shipping & receiving packages for me in the past 15 years. I both buy and sell on ebay regularly. The 'secret' to shipping luggage is to ship the 'light weight' items such as clothing and carry the heavy stuff. All package delivery carriers charge by the pound and by the distance (I think UPS divides the USA into 5 zones, so zone 1 to zone 5 would be the most expensive). Simply take a locked suitcase or two to the nearest UPS Store and they'll box them (for a fee) and send them on their way. If being sent to a hotel, make sure the box and/or label shows 'hold for' your name, and arrival date. They'll set them aside at the front desk and when you check in, ask for them.
Cross country via UPS ground would be 5 business days. I'd estimate that a 25 pound suitcase would be $45 to ship, plus another $4-5 to box up. UPS 2nd day air would be in the range of $85 or more.
The Amtrak/Greyhound station is in space that used to be part of Indianapolis' Railway Express Agency facilities. While REA's facilities were part of the overall Union Station complex, all passenger facilities were on the other side of Illinois St back in the day.
Since you have luggage you will likely experience a bit of history. The elevator they will use to take you up to the platform if you don't want to climb the stairs is one of REA's freight elevators. It isn't self service, though it is automated. You will queue for it and an Amtrak staff member will take loads of passengers up until all who don't want take the stairs are up on the platform.
PS, my grandfather was the manager of Railway Express in Indianapolis and my mother worked there in her youth as well.
I think part of why I react so strongly to the sad state of Indianapolis passenger facilities is that it feels like outright desecration to me.
I grew up eating French dip and love them. Those that do need to try the "true" Chicago food, Italian Beef.And now I'm envisioning a spinoff thread on Great Sandwiches in Amtrak Cities. French dip in LA, Primanti Brothers' in Pittsburgh, anywhere for a po' boy in New Orleans, a Philly cheesesteak, and more. Even a vegetarian can dream.
Checked baggage is not generally accepted on Thruway bus segments. The only exception I know of was the SFC connection in Emeryville, and SFC no longer has checked baggage (or staff. Or a building). The bus driver usually helps load the bags beneath the bus though.Checked bags from Normal:
I seem to remember that checked bags are not processed on Thruway buses, that any baggage interaction with these buses has to be we load and retrieve our own bags into or under the bus (at least that is our experience so far elsewhere in the US).
So logically does that preclude us from checking a couple of bags at Normal (staffed station at the time of arrival) through to Washington as we get off the Texas Eagle?
ps: This is a question with an obvious answer methinks
Jamie - unfortunately I’m going to be on a road trip of my own over the weekend so I won’t be much help in Indianapolis.
Yes. I got the impression that if I had asked about whether they had many vegan items on the menu, the police would have been called.There's a White Castle right by the Indianapolis station. An American (especially Midwest) tradition!
The station/waiting area isn't nice. But I've always found it quaint.
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