12 replies to this topic

[J-1 3235]

Hello,



I will be taking the CZ into Chicago to connect to the LSL to Boston in 2 weeks. I will be in the Boston sleeper. I will also be returning on the same trains at the end of the week. I have some questions.
1. How close are the tracks that the CZ arrives on and the tracks that the LSL leaves on?
2. Is breakfast and lunch served only in the New York diner car?
I will be staying at a hotel in Natick. Since I will be arriving in the evening, any opinions on getting off at Worcester vs Framingham? Also, any opinions on getting on at Framingham vs Worcester on the return trip?

Thanks

Welcome to the Forum!
I can not say for sure which tracks the two trains will be using, but they are both on the south side of Chicago Union Station, and the LSL will be posted before boarding time. Where you are in a sleeper, on the LSL, be sure to use the Metropolitan Lounge to wait and store your luggage.

Breakfast and lunch will be in the diner, which is in the New York section. Dinner will be in the Boston section cafe car. There are usually two choices, or you may order from the cafe car menu.

Natick is much closer to Framingham than Worcester is; I would choose Framingham. Same for your return.

Enjoy your trip!

Mike

Edited by J-1 3235, 11 March 2012 - 05:33 PM.

[Swadian Hardcore]

Hello,



I will be taking the CZ into Chicago to connect to the LSL to Boston in 2 weeks. I will be in the Boston sleeper. I will also be returning on the same trains at the end of the week. I have some questions.
1. How close are the tracks that the CZ arrives on and the tracks that the LSL leaves on?
2. Is breakfast and lunch served only in the New York diner car?
I will be staying at a hotel in Natick. Since I will be arriving in the evening, any opinions on getting off at Worcester vs Framingham? Also, any opinions on getting on at Framingham vs Worcester on the return trip?

Thanks

It is not fixed whoich trains leave off which tracks. There is no way to know for sure, you can't even check the track a few hours in advance like you can with certain airport gates. Go to the following link for information about the LSL, including food service: http://www.amtrak.co...d=1241245664423

Don't know much about BOS, so you'll have to see another reply.

[Donctor]

48 is usually on one of the tracks near the Met Lounge (24, 26, etc.).

Depending on what time it actually gets in, 6 will probably just come in on whatever track in that area is open.

Edited by Donctor, 11 March 2012 - 10:45 PM.

[Swadian Hardcore]

Which Amtraks use the North Side of CHI? I remember the EB and HS, anything else?

[Gfoley4]

Which Amtraks use the North Side of CHI? I remember the EB and HS, anything else?

Yep, the only Amtrak service using the north concourse of CHI are the EB and HS. Metra also has the Milwaukee District/North, Milwaukee District/West, and North Central Service out of the north concourse.

[gatelouse]

Hello,



I will be taking the CZ into Chicago to connect to the LSL to Boston in 2 weeks. I will be in the Boston sleeper. I will also be returning on the same trains at the end of the week. I have some questions.
1. How close are the tracks that the CZ arrives on and the tracks that the LSL leaves on?
2. Is breakfast and lunch served only in the New York diner car?
I will be staying at a hotel in Natick. Since I will be arriving in the evening, any opinions on getting off at Worcester vs Framingham? Also, any opinions on getting on at Framingham vs Worcester on the return trip?

Thanks

How close the tracks are between the CZ and LSL may be a moot issue. Since this is typically a multi-hour layover, you'll step off the CZ, relax in the lounge or sightsee Chicago, and board the LSL from the lounge. This might entail very little walking if the sleepers are close to the station/lounge, or it may require more. If you have a lot of bags and/or limited mobility, you might consider having a Red Cap assist with luggage.

Framingham has no station building to wait in; Worcester and Boston do. For arriving, I second the recommendation of Framingham. A much shorter ride to Natick from there. For departure, consider Boston if time permits. There are two commuter rail stations in Natick with somewhat frequent service back into Boston. Boston South Station has a very nice lounge and station to wait in. Otherwise, your choice of Framingham vs. Worcester will depend on whether you can wait in someone's car or are willing to stand outside to wait for the train. If not, then Worcester is your best bet.

Also...if you're checking luggage, Framingham can't serve you.

Edited by gatelouse, 11 March 2012 - 11:48 PM.

[Swadian Hardcore]

Some more information and questions.

Yup, I have looked on the Amtrak website and have google earth both stations.

This is a business trip, arriving on Monday leaving on Friday. I will be getting out of class at 11 on Friday, so time will be short to get to the train station.

I will only have one piece of luggage and a laptop bag, so no checked luggage to worry about. Because of the need of a cab to take me to the hotel is the reason that I was wondering about getting off at Worcester. Would it be easier to get a cab at Worcester than at Framingham at night?

I notice that there are three tracks at Framingham, does anybody know which track the west bound LSL arrives on at Framingham? Or are there signs that announce the track that it will arrive at?

Thanks for all the information.

There is really no guarantee which track any train arrives on, anywhere. It dosen't matter, anyway. If the station is staffed, just listen for the announcements. If it is unstaffed, well, just get on the platform, because unstaffed stations usually have only one platform.

[gatelouse]

If you're being fully reimbursed and cutting the return close then I'd just go with Worcester both ways. It's an actual staffed station, meaning you'll get directed to the correct track, and if you do have to wait for a cab, at least you'll be safely indoors. A much less stressful experience overall.

Enjoy the trip!

[lo2e]

There is really no guarantee which track any train arrives on, anywhere. It dosen't matter, anyway. If the station is staffed, just listen for the announcements. If it is unstaffed, well, just get on the platform, because unstaffed stations usually have only one platform.

This is something I've been curious about... Framingham for example has two platforms (and a "bridge" between them with stairs and elevators on either side) and is unmanned. If a traveler is expecting a train to appear on a certain track and it actually ends up arriving on the other track, would the train wait for the passenger to get to the other side? One would hope they would see a person(s) scrambling to get to the other track, especially if they have luggage with them, but how long would they wait?

[AlanB]

There is really no guarantee which track any train arrives on, anywhere. It dosen't matter, anyway. If the station is staffed, just listen for the announcements. If it is unstaffed, well, just get on the platform, because unstaffed stations usually have only one platform.

This is something I've been curious about... Framingham for example has two platforms (and a "bridge" between them with stairs and elevators on either side) and is unmanned. If a traveler is expecting a train to appear on a certain track and it actually ends up arriving on the other track, would the train wait for the passenger to get to the other side? One would hope they would see a person(s) scrambling to get to the other track, especially if they have luggage with them, but how long would they wait?

It really depends on the crew and which side of the bed they woke up on that morning. Most will wait, assuming that the person isn't out for an afternoon stroll.

[Swadian Hardcore]

There is really no guarantee which track any train arrives on, anywhere. It dosen't matter, anyway. If the station is staffed, just listen for the announcements. If it is unstaffed, well, just get on the platform, because unstaffed stations usually have only one platform.

This is something I've been curious about... Framingham for example has two platforms (and a "bridge" between them with stairs and elevators on either side) and is unmanned. If a traveler is expecting a train to appear on a certain track and it actually ends up arriving on the other track, would the train wait for the passenger to get to the other side? One would hope they would see a person(s) scrambling to get to the other track, especially if they have luggage with them, but how long would they wait?

If you can get onto the platform without a ticket (you're out for a stroll), if there are other trains at that station (you're waiting for another train), and/or if there is very few people at that station (you're not noticed), and then the train arrives on a different track, then it will probably pull out.