Blue Water Missed Connection Question

Anyone know how Amtrak handles a missed connection for the Blue Water, which runs once a day? I'm looking at a trip coming from the Eagle. There's a 2 hour layover - IF the Eagle is on time. While I know if I book it as one complete trip, Amtrak will do something if it's missed - what would that be? I really do not want to bus the remainder of my journey, and flying is not an option.

I'm wondering if I should just build a day into things so that I can book it as two trips to be bid up eligible.

sporksradiant said:

Anyone know how Amtrak handles a missed connection for the Blue Water, which runs once a day? I'm looking at a trip coming from the Eagle. There's a 2 hour layover - IF the Eagle is on time. While I know if I book it as one complete trip, Amtrak will do something if it's missed - what would that be? I really do not want to bus the remainder of my journey, and flying is not an option.

I'm wondering if I should just build a day into things so that I can book it as two trips to be bid up eligible.

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That is a guaranteed connection if booked on one reservation. Amtrak often buses missed connections on Michigan trains if there are enough passengers, but there is a chance they'll lay you over at a hotel.

I usually book a layover in Chicago arriving on any western LD to protect what is usually a sleeper heading to the East Coast.

Looking over the past year the Texas Eagle has missconnected to the Blue Water roughly 20% of the time.

For some people those don't see like prohibitively bad odds, and if they are unlucky well then so they are. They might get a bus or might end up waiting for the next day's train, but Amtrak will pay for the bus or for lodging and ultimately they'll get to their destination just fine. Just later than they planned.

For other people those kind of odds would make them nervous any time their Texas Eagle pulled into a siding or spent more than a few minutes at a stop. Those people would probably enjoy their trip a lot more with a planned overnight in Chicago from the start. Instead of feeling anxious when the Texas Eagle lost some time, if anything they'll feel smart and relieved to have added the cushion.

If this strikes you as decent odds and you can roll with it should you missconnect, book straight through (one one ticket of course.)

But if you can see yourself feeling anxious if your Eagle starts running late and it affecting the enjoyment of your trip even if you do make your connection, putting the overnight buffer in your plans will save you that worryl

zephyr17 said:

I usually book a layover in Chicago arriving on any western LD to protect what is usually a sleeper heading to the East Coast.

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Yep. Same here.