Just saw it here:
Given they've made new signage it seems like an official Amtrak initiative, with what seems like zero purpose.
I'll see for myself in a few weeks, though as I'm doing NYP-Utica and next day Utica- Toronto I'll presumably avoid these checks.
I see from tweets that they are still persisting with the check-in desk nonsense at New York. Always seems bizarre that if you get on in New York and care Canada bound you have to check in and be given a luggage tag no one looks at, while this doesn't happen at any other stops enroute.
I have walked across the other way round, into Canada, with zero probelms. That said, Canadian border people are a lot friendlier than the US ones.
I am planning to do this trip the other way round in July and am planning on taking the Greyhound from Buffalo to Toronto (train from NYC to Buffalo).
I used to take the Maple Leaf a few times a year when I lived in Toronto. The difference between Amtrak and VIA crews on the same train was always like night and day. Amtrak crews seemed to regard passengers as an annoyance, and spent most of the journey taking up the majority of the cafe car...
I've given up on The Maple Leaf resuming for my July Utica-Toronto trip now! I think instead I'll take the train as far as Buffalo and get the Greyhound from there - which seems to be significantly faster Buffalo -Toronto than the old train schedule!
The checks at New York Penn have always seemed pointless including the instance on having a special luggage tag, when no one else who gets on the train en route gets checked in the same way (at least on the Maple Leaf).
Anyone else think it odd that in Business Class they put the single seat not next to the window but against the aisle? I'd rather have the side table between me and the aisle.
As I understand it beds parallel to direction of travel are not allowed in the U.K., because in the event of an accident it is highly likely everyone would break their necks.
Update from today's Maple Leaf. Only two out of six tables occupied by crew, so I guess that's an improvement on three! One of the two is empty but is 'occupied' by a sign saying 'reserved for crew use'.
We'll all be boarding at the same place, either NYP or Croton.
And yes, done the trip before so know all about the customs procedure - though don't understand why it can't be done on the train like the Adirondack!
In a few weeks I'm taking the Maple Leaf from NYC to Toronto, traveling in Business Class.
An option has sprung up for the three of us to join the train at Croton-Harmon, but I am concerned that by this point there might not be 3 seats together (either 2 plus one across the aisle or 2 with one...