Recent content by JoeRids

Train 5 never left Chicago on 4/8; at least that’s what the Amtrak app says. Does anyone know was this also due to the high winds, or some other reason?

Sad news- did away with the goat cheese salad which was really good. Patty melt looks intriguing though.

I don’t believe you can select specific business class seats on Empire Service trains. I think these are first come, first serve. Am I wrong?

I guess the bigger question is, will this work necessitate some sort of bus substitution, or will it just limit access to the Elko station?

What is the Elko bottleneck and what does “need to shutdown” mean?

I’m kind of on the fence about this. I think if you call in to request a points/fare refund due to a lower bucket fare that becomes available after you book, Amtrak should be able to place you in whatever room they want, in the same room category. If they wanted to be real sticklers, they would...

This brings up a valid point. Will this also extend to Acela? Those seats also need to be turned (though admittedly there aren’t as many, and many are at tables.)

This may have been discussed before, but I often wondered why Amtrak doesn’t make the Silver Star a New York- Tampa train with a coach train from Tampa to Miami, connecting with the Star at Lakeland both ways? This would save through passengers heading/originating south the silly Tampa detour...

How is the baggage car then accessed? Does a crew member need to go outside every time to open doors, then climb back in and out again?

This is good news! I am riding next month and love to see the cross section of passengers you meet in the diner. A full dining car is a happy dining car!

Might as well get used to this. I believe the new trainsets that are coming have fixed seating; half forward, half rearward.

Does anyone know the status of the advertising wrap on the trains? I read on another website that Brightline is removing the wrapping over the windows, and only keep the ads above and below the windows.

My trip from Newark to Boston on Acela 2250 on 2/10 reminds me how wonderful train travel can be when Amtrak gets it right. The trick, of course, is to get it right more frequently! For starters, Newark Penn Station is one of my favorite places to board and watch trains. Even on a Saturday...

Hi, I think I know the answer to this, but if booking multiple reservations (whether using AGR points or otherwise) for different trains, I assume that connections that otherwise would be guaranteed are not, correct? For example, I have a reservation booked on the CZ, and am considering adding...

Yes! I have done it a few times. However, you must only speak with a guest rewards rep by calling 800-307-5000; a rep in the general call center will likely not be able to do it. Hours are 8AM-8PM, and they are closed on holidays (like today). They also might want to move you into a different...