I've no idea, but you can see for yourself by taking both journeys using the aerial imagery available on Google Earth: https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1GGGE_enUS481US482&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=google%20earth%20download Once you get it downloaded and figured out, it's just like flying along the routes as low and slow as you want.
When travelling solo I keep the chairs in daytime mode and sleep in the top bunk. I like the upper window and count me among the fans of an in roomette toilet. Not related to your question, but influencing my decision, I've ridden the CL much more than the LSL so also would choose the LSL for variety sake. I also haven't eaten in a Heritage diner since the steam heat days and when I rode the LSL last the 8400 was in the consist.
is correct about his evaluations of the directional advantages to the CL and LSL. But if you have never ridden the Capitol Ltd across Pennsylvania and Maryland, you should try it. Love the trips along the rivers and the mountain scenery. And put the cell phones away and enjoy the ride in quiet solitude.. Looking at data for the last month, that would have misconnected 40% of the time. The web site appears to offer NER 187 (9:10p) as the guaranteed connection, and even then there's a 13% chance of getting to ride train 67.
Likely not, I tried, when the CL arrived on time in DC, to move up to an earlier train but had to pay high bucket fare. It was about $10.00 (WAS to RVR) so I went for it to get home 2 hours earlier. There was no proactive effort on Amtrak's part to offer an earlier train or retain the low bucket fare.
I have caught an earlier train to BAL, other than what was ticketed. Just use your phone (notice I didn't use the word "cell") and call Amtrak as you near Penn Station.
If you have never rode the LSL, I want to fully endorse it. Going through Upstate New York is a little underappreciated, I think. Since you are already taking the Cardinal, I am not sure the Capitol Limited is really going to add that much more for you. If you have never been through Upstate NY: there is a lot to see, and you will understand why those of who live here will tell you New York State is far, far more then New York City. Through this ride, you will ride along the Erie Canal, see Destiny USA and the modernizations around Syracuse, older infrastructure in the Rochester area; the historic city of Albany and it's amazing skyline. Note that you don't really go through Buffalo well enough to see much there. Not to mention see a couple cities that have seen better days in Utica and Schenectady. Then, as an added bonus, you get the ride down the Hudson River to New York City.
You are correct. This is what I get for posting before I drink my morning coffee. I misread the OP's post as taking this route from CHI, and not to CHI. Sorry, but I'll leave the post up for anyone else consider these routes, the other way!
