How to transfer from one train to another at Chicago Union Station

[bthomas67wagon]

First time rider here.
I will be boarding Lake Shore 49 in Toledo and looks like I will then transfer to Empire Builder 27.
What do I need to do for this?
Do I need to get my bags from one train to the other or will they be transferred for me?
What else do I need to know?

Also, I will be taking a firearm and it will be packed away in a case in my checked bag.
I looked at: Firearms in Checked Baggage on Amtrak Trains
and was just wondering what else I need to know?

Thanks!!

 

[PVD]

Get there extra early. The checked bags get transferred. I'm assuming that the destination station is a checked bag station with a ticket office, so as to comply with the firearms stuff. If you are in a sleeper on 49 or 27 (or both) you have use of the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago to wait.

 

[zephyr17]

Baggage must checked at least 45 minutes before departure. That is enforced as a hard cutoff at many stations.

Checked bags will transferred between trains for you.

You must manage carry on bags yourself.

Both the origin and destination stations must offer checked baggage service to be able to check it. Firearms can only be taken as checked baggage, so both stations have to have baggage service.

 

[WWW]

You did not indicate the final checked baggage station but since you are on train 27 (Spokane split)
presume that your destination is Portland with checked baggage - OK.
The LS 49 arrives on the south side of Union Station (track unknown - readers help) Train 7/27 will
most invariably leave from track 19 the closest to the Chicago river on the north side of Union Station.
In between the south and north sides you will find Metropolitan Lounge (sleeper passengers) and time permitting.
Food and gift shops next level up - one more level to street level - - -

 

[TinCan782]

You must manage carry on bags yourself.

Seek out Red Cap assistance in Chicago.
Prior to arrival let your car attendant know that you would like Red Cap assistance.
If you are in sleeper, the Metropolitan Lounge at Chicago is a good place to get a Red Cap to get you to your outgoing train.

 

[bthomas67wagon]

Thanks for the feedback. My route is to board in Toledo Ohio on train 49, then in Chicago I board train 27 to Shelby Montana. I will have my firearms in hard cases locked and in my checked bag. (hopefully that helps) My train in Toledo Ohio leaves at 6am and I plan on arriving at around 3-4am. I am in coach seating.

Destination - Shelby Montana.

Check Station - "destination station is a checked bag station with a ticket office". I am unclear what this means? For me to take my firearms in my checked bag, are you saying that the station in Shelby Montana needs something that it might not have?

My train ride back are the same stops (Shelby MT to Chicago to Toledo Ohio) with obviously different train numbers. Does that change anything for my way home?

Thanks!!

 

[WWW]

Just maybe the checked luggage with firearm inside has to be claimed in person with matching claim check !
For that to happen then an Amtrak agent must be able to verify this.
Just a thought !

 

[PVD]

Just maybe the checked luggage with firearm inside has to be claimed in person with matching claim check !
For that to happen then an Amtrak agent must be able to verify this.
Just a thought !

I believe that is the rationale.....I think ID is required.

 

[DavidSh]

Amtrak says, about their station for Shelby, Montana:

• Amtrak Express shipping not available
• Checked baggage service available
• No checked baggage storage
• Bike boxes not available
  The number of bike boxes available in the station is limited. For assistance, call us at 1-800-USA-RAIL.
• No baggage carts
• Ski bags not available
• No bag storage
  Baggage storage is an area where passengers may store their bags, equivalent to "left luggage" in Europe. A storage fee may apply.
• Shipping boxes not available
• Baggage assistance provided by {baggageAssistanceProvider}

So there shouldn't be any issue there with getting the bags that you have checked.

 

[bthomas67wagon]

Firearm Check In - It says,

Notification that the passenger will be checking firearms/ammunition must be made no later than 24 hours before train departure by calling Amtrak at 800-USA-RAIL

My trip is on June 3rd, so I called today May 16th to let them know, but the lady said I needed to call back the day before I leave on June 2nd to let them know. Does this sound correct? It says no later then 24 hours, so I figured now or in the next 2 weeks they need to be notified. I hate waiting till the day before.

Also, I have my guns in locked hard cases, which includes the clips. She said that the ammo needs to be in a ammo case. Do I have to pack the ammo/clips in a separate case?

...and guns are unloaded.

 

[Steve4031]

I am not that familiar with firearms. But IMHO the statement that ammo must be in an ammo case must mean that it is in a case that is fireproof and that would prevent the ammo from firing if there was a fire. I am thinking that if you have a gun case and can store ammo in the gun case then that would also be designed to prevent the ammo from discharging in the event of a fire.

It obviously would be highly unlikely that a fire would occur, but I think airlines also have similar provisions.

Good luck. I hope this was helpful.

 

[me_little_me]

Post deleted by author.