Chicago Connections (better west to east for making connections)?

[Rail Freak]

Am I correct in thinking, when planning a one way cross country trip connecting in Chicago, that I would probably be better off booking West To East because of odds making connections in Chi Town? I ask this because I'm thinking of a trip (STP-SAC or SAC-STP) so this Florida Boy can experience another SNOW TRIP! BTW, any photos of your current travels in that "white stuff" would be appreciated

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

Your connection would be much more secure going west rather than east. From the CL to the CZ, only 2% of connections were missed over the past year vs. 24% eastbound. Going west would also allow you to see Chicago during the daytime and give guaranteed daylight on the portion of the route leaving Denver.

 

[pennyk]

I think connections from Florida are safer going from East to West. I had no problem with my recent cross country trip. However, I scheduled an overnight in Chicago on my return because I was concerned about connecting from the Empire Builder to the Capitol Limited. I took the California Zephyr westbound. I saw plenty of snow. My favorite photo is one I took out the window when we were in the Sierra Nevada mountains

 

[Rail Freak]

Thanx!

 

[Rail Freak]

I think connections from Florida are safer going from East to West. I had no problem with my recent cross country trip. However, I scheduled an overnight in Chicago on my return because I was concerned about connecting from the Empire Builder to the Capitol Limited. I took the California Zephyr westbound. I saw plenty of snow. My favorite photo is one I took out the window when we were in the Sierra Nevada mountains View attachment 16381

Nice Shot!!!

 

[niemi24s]

Here's one when just getting ready to travel:

 

[the_traveler]

Going east to west, you arrive in CHI in the morning and depart mid afternoon. Going west to East, you arrive CHI in the afternoon and depart a few hours later.

If anything, an overnight going eastbound would be recommended. (Although I’ve done it many times without one.)

 

[Rail Freak]

Here's one when just getting ready to travel:

View attachment 16382

WOW!

 

[tricia]

Here's one when just getting ready to travel:

View attachment 16382

Very impressive snow-clearing. The usual approach at our place is to park vehicle at the bottom of the driveway BEFORE snowfall, wait for the road crew to plow the road, and rely on gravity to reach the plowed surface. Rarely get anything like the amount of snow shown in photo.

 

[Asher]

Have you ever considered spending a day or so at one of the ski resorts near Truckee,

 

[Rail Freak]

Have you ever considered spending a day or so at one of the ski resorts near Truckee,

Any suggestions?

 

[railiner]

Now I’m getting excited about my trip on No. 6 to spend a couple of days in WIP!
Thanks for the “appetizers “

 

[Asher]

Any suggestions?

I dont know your schedule, but a trip to Yosemite via the San Joaquin SAC to Merced then a Yarts transportation bus to Yosemite valley is A sightseeing trip to a phenomenal place. It's a pretty doable excursion at not much cost.

 

[Railroad Bill]

I would agree with earlier posters that going westbound is the best odds of making connections. We travel from CLE and have never missed any Chicago connections. Of course, I just jinxed us..

 

[the_traveler]

Well living in CLE, if you did miss the CL you could always take the LSL!

 

[Rasputin]

I have made a number of connections in Chicago from the Lake Shore to the western trains. Have never missed a westbound connection (yet).

We have missed an eastbound connection from the Zephyr to the Lake Shore a few years back.

 

[Willbridge]

I've missed the Capitol Limited from Train 6, but a quick agent got me onto the Lake Shore Limited with five minutes to spare, then on the NEC to PHL. Boy did I get a glare from the fellow sitting next to me, as he was getting set up to use both seats for a nice coach night's sleep. Tried the CZ > CL connection again and Train 6 ran seven hours late. We were treated to a hotel room and taxi and meal vouchers till the next day. The CL lost a couple of hours near the end of the ride, to complete the process of missing the first day of a conference. Oh, how I wished for the Three Rivers or a reasonable facsimile thereof!

Westbound once we made a ten minute connection from the Cardinal to Train 5 and my checked baggage made it, too. Otherwise no problems westbound, though I'd never promise that.