Mike S.
Service Attendant
Trip review time guys, as promised.
I was booked on an Empire Service #282 out of Buffalo (Depew) to SDY (Schenectady) and back on #49 LSL. As an interesting note, I saw that Empire Service trains actually do have names, but they are never referred to them on the Amtrak website. However, other regional trains in MI and IL all have names. At any rate, the board said #282, The Water Level Express, obviously going back to the "Water Level Route" in the New York Central days.
I arrived at the station, in my typical style, at 6:40am for a 6:45am departure! I knew this train would be on time since it originates in Niagara Falls an there really isn't anything to hold it up on the way to Buffalo. To my surprise, the train station was PACKED! What gives? SPRING BREAK, DOH! However, there were also lots of other non-spring break travelers too. You guys will be happy to know the train was completely sold out. I got my ticket from the agent as the train was rolling into the station. Only a few minutes to board, even with the crowd. Those conductors know how to load a train. I walked up to the cafe car door that was open knowing I'd sit up there since I had a Business Class ticket. The conductor told me to proceed past the cafe and into BC. As Alan said, BC did have the 2-1 seating in a half cafe/ half BC split, however, the seats did NOT have faux leather, so I guess it wasn't an ex-metorliner car, just the regular blue Amfleet II long distance seats, in an Amfleet I car.
Impressions: Mixed bag. The car is a good bit louder since you're so close to the engine. You hear the horn ALL the time (maybe not a bad thing) and the car vibrates much more as the train turns, almost as if it was grinding, none of that on the way home in regular coach (more on that in a bit). The car was somewhat dirty, mostly the carpets and vinyl floors in the front near the phone. They need to clean better and more often. Definitely disappointed there. Also, the sliding door on the phone booth kept slamming back and forth as the train braked or accelerated. And last but not least, my power plug didn't work! The train basically ran right on time. Cafe car attendant was cool, brought me a newspaper to boot! The head conductor was nice and informative and all station stops were called out clearly. No need for any other announcements as the train was right on time.
The EPSA meeting in SDY was great. Met some cool people, lots of passenger info about Amtrak and things to come. Really enjoyed it. I'll be back.
My ride back on 49 started rough. First off, the train left 3 hours late from NYC. WHAT GIVES? I mean, Amtrak, get your **** together. The train ran right on schedule once it left NYC, but leaving 3 hours late is unacceptable. After waiting for what seemed like forever, 49 rolled into SDY about 2.5 hours late. Basically it didn't wait the 30 mins it normally does in ALB. It must have just picked up Boston people and left. The Amfleet II's back in the coach section were so much more quiet than my BC ride next to engine on the way up. No noise except pleasant wheel sounds when running at 80mph. I ventured up to the Diner which was still open at about 10:30pm, probably b/c they got such a late start. What a dumpy diner! It was not the pink style interior heritage diner (with the little stars in the ceiling) I had on my trip last year. What railroad had this diner before? At any rate, this was maybe an ex-Southern? diner and was dirty, way too bright, and ugly. It had this tall ceiling effect with way too many lights. I felt like I was on stage. NO ATMOSPHERE. After wolfing down a burger (really good I might add) it was off to my seat to sleep. I was beat and couldn't wait to get home. My coach was somewhat clean, but in the dark, who would know if it was dirty!
All in all, I had a good time. I always enjoy the train, but I just desperately want it to be better. I let Amtrak know right away with their 3 day survey that they are pushing.
Mike S.
I was booked on an Empire Service #282 out of Buffalo (Depew) to SDY (Schenectady) and back on #49 LSL. As an interesting note, I saw that Empire Service trains actually do have names, but they are never referred to them on the Amtrak website. However, other regional trains in MI and IL all have names. At any rate, the board said #282, The Water Level Express, obviously going back to the "Water Level Route" in the New York Central days.
I arrived at the station, in my typical style, at 6:40am for a 6:45am departure! I knew this train would be on time since it originates in Niagara Falls an there really isn't anything to hold it up on the way to Buffalo. To my surprise, the train station was PACKED! What gives? SPRING BREAK, DOH! However, there were also lots of other non-spring break travelers too. You guys will be happy to know the train was completely sold out. I got my ticket from the agent as the train was rolling into the station. Only a few minutes to board, even with the crowd. Those conductors know how to load a train. I walked up to the cafe car door that was open knowing I'd sit up there since I had a Business Class ticket. The conductor told me to proceed past the cafe and into BC. As Alan said, BC did have the 2-1 seating in a half cafe/ half BC split, however, the seats did NOT have faux leather, so I guess it wasn't an ex-metorliner car, just the regular blue Amfleet II long distance seats, in an Amfleet I car.
Impressions: Mixed bag. The car is a good bit louder since you're so close to the engine. You hear the horn ALL the time (maybe not a bad thing) and the car vibrates much more as the train turns, almost as if it was grinding, none of that on the way home in regular coach (more on that in a bit). The car was somewhat dirty, mostly the carpets and vinyl floors in the front near the phone. They need to clean better and more often. Definitely disappointed there. Also, the sliding door on the phone booth kept slamming back and forth as the train braked or accelerated. And last but not least, my power plug didn't work! The train basically ran right on time. Cafe car attendant was cool, brought me a newspaper to boot! The head conductor was nice and informative and all station stops were called out clearly. No need for any other announcements as the train was right on time.
The EPSA meeting in SDY was great. Met some cool people, lots of passenger info about Amtrak and things to come. Really enjoyed it. I'll be back.
My ride back on 49 started rough. First off, the train left 3 hours late from NYC. WHAT GIVES? I mean, Amtrak, get your **** together. The train ran right on schedule once it left NYC, but leaving 3 hours late is unacceptable. After waiting for what seemed like forever, 49 rolled into SDY about 2.5 hours late. Basically it didn't wait the 30 mins it normally does in ALB. It must have just picked up Boston people and left. The Amfleet II's back in the coach section were so much more quiet than my BC ride next to engine on the way up. No noise except pleasant wheel sounds when running at 80mph. I ventured up to the Diner which was still open at about 10:30pm, probably b/c they got such a late start. What a dumpy diner! It was not the pink style interior heritage diner (with the little stars in the ceiling) I had on my trip last year. What railroad had this diner before? At any rate, this was maybe an ex-Southern? diner and was dirty, way too bright, and ugly. It had this tall ceiling effect with way too many lights. I felt like I was on stage. NO ATMOSPHERE. After wolfing down a burger (really good I might add) it was off to my seat to sleep. I was beat and couldn't wait to get home. My coach was somewhat clean, but in the dark, who would know if it was dirty!
All in all, I had a good time. I always enjoy the train, but I just desperately want it to be better. I let Amtrak know right away with their 3 day survey that they are pushing.
Mike S.