- Joined
- Jan 13, 2015
- Messages
- 8
I just did NYP to Montreal with my 6 year old son. Here's a brief summary.
We arrived at Penn Station at about 7:15 for the 8:15 departure. We immediately went to the Canadian check in desk (anyone who is travelling across the border has to present their passport to Amtrak staff who give you special tags for your luggage).
After this we proceeded to the lineup area for the train. I believe this is a relatively new process. Normally at NYP you wait around the departure board and when the track is announced everyone bee lines it for the gate. For the Adirondack, Maple Leaf and Empire Service trains they have a lineup area. So getting their early gives you a pretty good chance of your desired seat (compared to just luck of the draw). We were third in line getting there just under an hour before).
We sat in 1 of the 2 Amfleet 2 cars on the train. All cross border passengers were directed to these cars. They are extremely comfortable with leg and foot rests and tons of leg room. Much better than their Amfleet 1 cousins. Only downside is no wifi, but you could go to the cafe car for that.
The food quality was mediocre to ok. Better to bring your own food if possible. I had a sandwich that was ok. About the same quality as Via corridor sandwiches.
We lost about 30 minutes before Albany due to a switch problem. At Albany they switched locos and removed the first car. Out consist prior to Albany was P32DC x 2, 3 Amfleet 1s, Cafe car, 2 Amfleet 2s. After Albany it was P42 and 5 cars.
We left Albany about 40 minutes late. The scenery after Schenectady is wonderful. I imagine it would be even better in Spring/Summer/Fall.
We arrived at the border checkpoint about an hour behind. Despite what I've read about long delays at the border, this went as smooth as silk. The 2 cars were probably 60-70% loaded and it took about 40 minutes max. The agents actually board the train, so I guess that makes it faster than everyone getting off a la the Maple Leaf.
We left the border checkpoint about 20 minutes early.
Then came by far the worst and most painful part of the trip. It took us about 2 hours to get from the border to Montreal. The track condition was an embarrassment. God knows what foreign travellers must think of Camadian railways if this is their first impression. I don't think we went faster than 30 mph and for a good chunk of it we were doing 10! We ended up at Montreal about half an hour late. So the train lost close to 50 minutes after crossing the border.
All in all it was a good trip. I don't think I'd do it again though. Maybe if they added a dome car and better food.
We arrived at Penn Station at about 7:15 for the 8:15 departure. We immediately went to the Canadian check in desk (anyone who is travelling across the border has to present their passport to Amtrak staff who give you special tags for your luggage).
After this we proceeded to the lineup area for the train. I believe this is a relatively new process. Normally at NYP you wait around the departure board and when the track is announced everyone bee lines it for the gate. For the Adirondack, Maple Leaf and Empire Service trains they have a lineup area. So getting their early gives you a pretty good chance of your desired seat (compared to just luck of the draw). We were third in line getting there just under an hour before).
We sat in 1 of the 2 Amfleet 2 cars on the train. All cross border passengers were directed to these cars. They are extremely comfortable with leg and foot rests and tons of leg room. Much better than their Amfleet 1 cousins. Only downside is no wifi, but you could go to the cafe car for that.
The food quality was mediocre to ok. Better to bring your own food if possible. I had a sandwich that was ok. About the same quality as Via corridor sandwiches.
We lost about 30 minutes before Albany due to a switch problem. At Albany they switched locos and removed the first car. Out consist prior to Albany was P32DC x 2, 3 Amfleet 1s, Cafe car, 2 Amfleet 2s. After Albany it was P42 and 5 cars.
We left Albany about 40 minutes late. The scenery after Schenectady is wonderful. I imagine it would be even better in Spring/Summer/Fall.
We arrived at the border checkpoint about an hour behind. Despite what I've read about long delays at the border, this went as smooth as silk. The 2 cars were probably 60-70% loaded and it took about 40 minutes max. The agents actually board the train, so I guess that makes it faster than everyone getting off a la the Maple Leaf.
We left the border checkpoint about 20 minutes early.
Then came by far the worst and most painful part of the trip. It took us about 2 hours to get from the border to Montreal. The track condition was an embarrassment. God knows what foreign travellers must think of Camadian railways if this is their first impression. I don't think we went faster than 30 mph and for a good chunk of it we were doing 10! We ended up at Montreal about half an hour late. So the train lost close to 50 minutes after crossing the border.
All in all it was a good trip. I don't think I'd do it again though. Maybe if they added a dome car and better food.
And during the fall, most times Ocean View operates on the Adironsack! :excl:
