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Spender

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Thank you for so much helpful info on this forum! We are first timers on long distance train.

Tomorrow we travel East on SWC, connecting to LSL. We have bedroom accommodations so I believe we can stash our bags in the Chicago Lounge while we take a walk and get some dinner. Please confirm?

Any recommendations for walkable dinner spots?

We have handicapped bedroom on the LSL until Albany. There we will change to business class seats for the remaining 2 hours to our Springfield, MA, destination. (we booked last minute so that's all that was available)The agent on the phone described that we will need to depart train 48 at Albany, and walk to the other side of the train or tracks to get on the 448 to Springfield. I think these are cars that are uncoupled from 48? If on time we'll have about 1/2 hour in Albany to accomplish this. Is this a big deal? Can anyone comment on things we need to be aware of?

Thank you in advance.
 
Spender said:
We have bedroom accommodations so I believe we can stash our bags in the Chicago Lounge while we take a walk and get some dinner. Please confirm?
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You are correct.

Spender said:
Any recommendations for walkable dinner spots?
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Lou Malnati's has some ridiculous deep dish and is a 20 minute walk. That's very walkable for me though I don't know how it is for you.

Spender said:
We have handicapped bedroom on the LSL until Albany. There we will change to business class seats for the remaining 2 hours to our Springfield, MA, destination. (we booked last minute so that's all that was available)The agent on the phone described that we will need to depart train 48 at Albany, and walk to the other side of the train or tracks to get on the 448 to Springfield. I think these are cars that are uncoupled from 48? If on time we'll have about 1/2 hour in Albany to accomplish this. Is this a big deal? Can anyone comment on things we need to be aware of?

Thank you in advance.
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When you get to Albany, you will walk a few cars down (it is the same physical train) to the Business/cafe car. Just make sure you do this basically as soon as you arrive in Albany (before 448 uncouples).
 
You want to check with your SCA Before arrival into Albany. You may be able to move to the Biz Class Car on #448 before you arrive if you don't mind the walk through the Train from your room.Ask about help with your stuff also!

Otherwise, you can walk down the platform in Albany to the Biz Class Car upon arrival as was said.Again ask!
 
Yes, “train” 48 and “train” 448 are the same train between Chicago and Albany. There they separate with train 48 going to NYC and train 448 going to Boston. The trains separate just before getting to the platform and are put on separate tracks. It is an across the platform transfer between the trains. If the train arrives late, the other can not depart, since the cars will be on the late arriving train!

If you need assistance for the transfer, just ask your SCA.

Another choice for a Chicago dinner, if you do not want to walk, is on the 2nd floor of Union Station is a food court with numerous choices.
 
the_traveler said:
Yes, “train” 48 and “train” 448 are the same train between Chicago and Albany. There they separate with train 48 going to NYC and train 448 going to Boston. The trains separate just before getting to the platform and are put on separate tracks. It is an across the platform transfer between the trains. If the train arrives late, the other can not depart, since the cars will be on the late arriving train!
Click to expand...
You are incorrect. The train splits in the station, at the platform. Usually it's stopped for a good 15 minutes before 448 detaches. It is not a cross platform transfer.
 
In Albany, when the train splits, the 2 sections end up on opposite sides of the platform so if you were in the Boston sleeper, it would not be across the platform, but if you were in a NY sleeper, it would be across the platform. Ask your SCA and he/she will let you know.
 
the_traveler said:
Another choice for a Chicago dinner, if you do not want to walk, is on the 2nd floor of Union Station is a food court with numerous choices.
Click to expand...
My preference is to walk to the end of the platform on track 5 or so on the north side of the station, up the stairs, and across the street to the former C&NW station (aka Metra Oglivie Transportation Center https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=ym2gW6ewCMqUzwLkmJ6wBw&q=ogilvie+transportation+center&oq=oglivy+trans&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i13i10j0i13j0i13i30l2j0i8i13i30l6.459.6160..8852...3.0..0.150.1465.12j4......0....1..gws-wiz.......0j0i131j0i10.0czgZ3B1avY ) They have a much better food court with better variety.
 
bratkinson said:
the_traveler said:
Another choice for a Chicago dinner, if you do not want to walk, is on the 2nd floor of Union Station is a food court with numerous choices.
Click to expand...
My preference is to walk to the end of the platform on track 5 or so on the north side of the station, up the stairs, and across the street to the former C&NW station (aka Metra Oglivie Transportation Center https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=ym2gW6ewCMqUzwLkmJ6wBw&q=ogilvie+transportation+center&oq=oglivy+trans&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i13i10j0i13j0i13i30l2j0i8i13i30l6.459.6160..8852...3.0..0.150.1465.12j4......0....1..gws-wiz.......0j0i131j0i10.0czgZ3B1avY ) They have a much better food court with better variety.
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The original poster said he and his traveling companion were booked in the handicapped room on the LSL, so I assume that one or both might have some kind of problem with long walks, so I wouldn't recommend those steep steps at the north end of Track 5.
 
cpotisch said:
the_traveler said:
Yes, “train” 48 and “train” 448 are the same train between Chicago and Albany. There they separate with train 48 going to NYC and train 448 going to Boston. The trains separate just before getting to the platform and are put on separate tracks. It is an across the platform transfer between the trains. If the train arrives late, the other can not depart, since the cars will be on the late arriving train!
Click to expand...
You are incorrect. The train splits in the station, at the platform. Usually it's stopped for a good 15 minutes before 448 detaches. It is not a cross platform transfer.
Click to expand...
449 has to get to the Chatham cutoff. That is only reached by the tracks nearest the station. Also, they need to put a locomotive on the NYP section, since both P42s and the first few cars go to Boston.

That us why they do the split before the platform.
 
the_traveler said:
cpotisch said:
the_traveler said:
Yes, “train” 48 and “train” 448 are the same train between Chicago and Albany. There they separate with train 48 going to NYC and train 448 going to Boston. The trains separate just before getting to the platform and are put on separate tracks. It is an across the platform transfer between the trains. If the train arrives late, the other can not depart, since the cars will be on the late arriving train!
Click to expand...
You are incorrect. The train splits in the station, at the platform. Usually it's stopped for a good 15 minutes before 448 detaches. It is not a cross platform transfer.
Click to expand...
449 has to get to the Chatham cutoff. That is only reached by the tracks nearest the station. Also, they need to put a locomotive on the NYP section, since both P42s and the first few cars go to Boston.

That us why they do the split before the platform.
Click to expand...
I'm telling you that they don't. I've been on 48 through Albany many times. Every time, the full train comes into the station, the Boston section detaches and pulls away, and then the P32 backs in and attaches to the NY section.
 
Actually both of you are correct since it has been done both ways at various times. Just because you have seen something happen on the few days you were on that train does not mean it is always that way.
 
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Let's get the_traveler and cpotisch on this train at the same time and see what happens
default_tongue.png
! (The poor train probably will feel it has to do the split both ways at once to keep both of them happy!
default_mosking.gif
)
 
MikefromCrete said:
bratkinson said:
the_traveler said:
Another choice for a Chicago dinner, if you do not want to walk, is on the 2nd floor of Union Station is a food court with numerous choices.
Click to expand...
My preference is to walk to the end of the platform on track 5 or so on the north side of the station, up the stairs, and across the street to the former C&NW station (aka Metra Oglivie Transportation Center https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=ym2gW6ewCMqUzwLkmJ6wBw&q=ogilvie+transportation+center&oq=oglivy+trans&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i13i10j0i13j0i13i30l2j0i8i13i30l6.459.6160..8852...3.0..0.150.1465.12j4......0....1..gws-wiz.......0j0i131j0i10.0czgZ3B1avY ) They have a much better food court with better variety.
Click to expand...
The original poster said he and his traveling companion were booked in the handicapped room on the LSL, so I assume that one or both might have some kind of problem with long walks, so I wouldn't recommend those steep steps at the north end of Track 5.
Click to expand...
I would second the choice of Ogilvie Transportation Center for its food offerings (though it's more suited for breakfast & lunch), which I have always accessed from the Canal Street entrance of CUS (mainly because I begin my layover Windy City explorations from the Metropolitan Lounge).

The Merchandise Mart (across the river) also has a decent food court and several other quick-service restaurants which are open into the early evening. I like stopping there when I have an evening to kill since it's almost deserted after 6 PM and thus is very quiet. One can visit the Starbucks and have a nice beverage at the tables just outside the store without the usual hustle and bustle of daytime. If you want to splurge (and/or gorge), the Chicago outpost of Fogo de Chão is not far from the Merchandise Mart. If you're going that far though, it helps to take a taxi or Uber/Lyft in one direction to reduce the overall amount of walking time and exertion.
 
Thank you for the very helpful info. Thankfully we are very mobile and were offered the handicapped sleeper since there were no other bedrooms available. (Looking back, I realize that it is info that wasn't even pertinent to my questions.) So if the train is on time we will explore many of the Chicago options that you all have mentioned.

I guess the separate tracks across the platform thing is what the AMTRAK rep was trying to explain to me. We will be sure to check with our SCA and I really like the idea of getting to the BC car before reaching Albany. We're checking our suitcases so we'll just have a couple little tote bags to carry. We'll be happy to report back on our Albany experience.

We are so excited for this trip.

Cheers!
 
Spender said:
Thank you for the very helpful info. Thankfully we are very mobile and were offered the handicapped sleeper since there were no other bedrooms available. (Looking back, I realize that it is info that wasn't even pertinent to my questions.) So if the train is on time we will explore many of the Chicago options that you all have mentioned.

I guess the separate tracks across the platform thing is what the AMTRAK rep was trying to explain to me. We will be sure to check with our SCA and I really like the idea of getting to the BC car before reaching Albany. We're checking our suitcases so we'll just have a couple little tote bags to carry. We'll be happy to report back on our Albany experience.

We are so excited for this trip.

Cheers!
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Have fun!
 
If the H room is not sold to a "qualified" user, it is released for sale as a bedroom. I think it is 2 weeks before departure, but I'm not 100% on that timeline.It is considered by many to be the best room available on Amtrak.Enjoy the trip.......
 
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PVD said:
If the H room is not sold to a "qualified" user, it is released for sale as a bedroom. I think it is 2 weeks before departure, but I'm not 100% on that timeline.It is considered by many to be the best room available on Amtrak.Enjoy the trip.......
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It's actually two days before departure.
 
cpotisch said:
PVD said:
If the H room is not sold to a "qualified" user, it is released for sale as a bedroom. I think it is 2 weeks before departure, but I'm not 100% on that timeline.It is considered by many to be the best room available on Amtrak.Enjoy the trip.......
Click to expand...
It's actually two days before departure.
Click to expand...
It's two weeks before departure, and only if there's no other Bedroom accommodations available.
 
FYI

Who May Reserve Accessible Room Accommodations


Up until 14 days prior to the departure of each train from its origin city, reservations for accessible bedrooms may be made only for passengers with a disability who travel with a wheeled mobility device.

Passengers booking an accessible bedroom accommodation will be required to certify that they require one or more of the accessible features of the accessible room accommodation in order to book and receive the discount. Passengers are not required to indicate the type of disability they have but only that they require the accessible features due to a disability. Conductors on trains with accessible room accommodations will provide a self-certification form to be completed by the passenger.

Within 14 days prior to a train departure from its origin city, and if all other Bedroom and Family bedrooms have been reserved, accessible bedroom are made available to all passengers on a first-come, first-served basis. For this reason, we urge you to make your reservations as far in advance of travel as possible.

You must provide written documentation of your disability at the ticket counter and when boarding the train.
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https://www.amtrak.com/planning-booking/accessible-travel-services/making-reservations-for-passengers-with-a-disability.html
 
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jebr said:
cpotisch said:
PVD said:
If the H room is not sold to a "qualified" user, it is released for sale as a bedroom. I think it is 2 weeks before departure, but I'm not 100% on that timeline.It is considered by many to be the best room available on Amtrak.Enjoy the trip.......
Click to expand...
It's actually two days before departure.
Click to expand...
It's two weeks before departure, and only if there's no other Bedroom accommodations available.
Click to expand...
I see. So is it two days out that the H room goes up for grabs if there still are other Bedroom accomodations available?
 
cpotisch said:
jebr said:
cpotisch said:
PVD said:
If the H room is not sold to a "qualified" user, it is released for sale as a bedroom. I think it is 2 weeks before departure, but I'm not 100% on that timeline.It is considered by many to be the best room available on Amtrak.Enjoy the trip.......
Click to expand...
It's actually two days before departure.
Click to expand...
It's two weeks before departure, and only if there's no other Bedroom accommodations available.
Click to expand...
I see. So is it two days out that the H room goes up for grabs if there still are other Bedroom accomodations available?
Click to expand...
As far as I'm aware, it never becomes available for general passengers if other Bedroom accommodations are available.
 
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jebr said:
cpotisch said:
jebr said:
cpotisch said:
PVD said:
If the H room is not sold to a "qualified" user, it is released for sale as a bedroom. I think it is 2 weeks before departure, but I'm not 100% on that timeline.It is considered by many to be the best room available on Amtrak.Enjoy the trip.......
Click to expand...
It's actually two days before departure.
Click to expand...
It's two weeks before departure, and only if there's no other Bedroom accommodations available.
Click to expand...
I see. So is it two days out that the H room goes up for grabs if there still are other Bedroom accomodations available?
Click to expand...
As far as I'm aware, it never becomes available for general passengers if other Bedroom accommodations are available.
Click to expand...
That has been my experience, at least when booking online. On occasion, the only accomodations which are available on a specific train are roommettes and a single accessible/handicapped room, with the pricing on Room H being comparable to a single Bedroom on the same train (ie, high bucket).
 
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