Mystic River Dragon
Engineer
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2014
- Messages
- 4,457
Oh drat. I should have just kept walking through to the other car....thanks, cpotisch.
You're welcome. At least you'll know for next time!Oh drat. I should have just kept walking through to the other car....thanks, cpotisch.
I think the late night option is aimed at that - they actually should run it even later on weekends. CTrail does operate five additional round trips between New Haven and Hartford only, so if you are a south of Hartford commuter you are more likely to ride a Ctrail train than a north of Hartford commuter.Yes, my cousin (who has no interest in trains at all) immediately said that the new commuter rail must be for the casino goers--she saw no other reason for it.
All the Shuttle cars have seats facing both ways because they all operate push-pull. I believe only some of them have that super leg room spot in the middle I saw it on one of my trains today - if Im remembering right some of the cars have the front and rear facing sections facing away from each other rather than towards each other (and as a result no super leg room spot at the transition point.) I think there might be a broken cab car in the Shuttle fleet right now as I've been seeing one of the trainsets operate with a second Genesis loco in front of the cab car a couple times recently including today.daybeers--
There was a special type coach on the Keystones and on the CT shuttle that had a big space in the middle of the car, where the rows of backward and forward facing seats met, and it was the most spacious part of the train because there was so much legroom and open space.
So two 4,250 hp locomotives on a two car train? Life is funny.All the Shuttle cars have seats facing both ways because they all operate push-pull. I believe only some of them have that super leg room spot in the middle I saw it on one of my trains today - if Im remembering right some of the cars have the front and rear facing sections facing away from each other rather than towards each other (and as a result no super leg room spot at the transition point.) I think there might be a broken cab car in the Shuttle fleet right now as I've been seeing one of the trainsets operate with a second Genesis loco in front of the cab car a couple times recently including today.daybeers--
There was a special type coach on the Keystones and on the CT shuttle that had a big space in the middle of the car, where the rows of backward and forward facing seats met, and it was the most spacious part of the train because there was so much legroom and open space.
Don't think that's a slow order I think that's the Oakwood interlocking where they are shifting you over to the other track. I inquired about this the other day and that appears to be the current limit of the double track before Hartford. The stretch from Berlin to there is the 110 MPH section. Berlin to Meriden they can also hit 100. Meriden to Wallingford and Wallingford to North Haven also have 90 stretches. There are four total segments where there a sections with greater than 79 MPH speeds.Now presently slowing for a slow order 5 mins out of Berlin...my GPS shows highest speed hit since turned on...110MPH!!!! Way to go Amtrak!!!
I do recall taking a crossover somewhere on the shuttle last night, and it may well have been Oakwood. Frankly, I'm surprised they could do it. This past spring and into the summer, even the new track felt rough, most likely from frost heave. That's why I've been skeptical of hitting 110...that speed and higher on the NEC south of Philly will have you shaking, rattling, and rolling in an Amfleet car, especially business class at the end of the train. Over the past 2 months or so, I did make a mental that things have smoothed down on that route, perhaps they ran a 'final' surfacing/leveling sometime in August or September. About 2 months ago, I did see a Sperry car parked in Springfield near the former bulk mail to train transfer building. But they're only looking for rail defects, not 'bounce', I think.Don't think that's a slow order I think that's the Oakwood interlocking where they are shifting you over to the other track. I inquired about this the other day and that appears to be the current limit of the double track before Hartford. The stretch from Berlin to there is the 110 MPH section. Berlin to Meriden they can also hit 100. Meriden to Wallingford and Wallingford to North Haven also have 90 stretches. There are four total segments where there a sections with greater than 79 MPH speeds.Now presently slowing for a slow order 5 mins out of Berlin...my GPS shows highest speed hit since turned on...110MPH!!!! Way to go Amtrak!!!
A bit over a month ago, I had a couple hours to kill in the Springfield station having arrived on shuttle 470 and waiting for 449 to Chicago. I park at WNL because it's free, and only a mile or so further than the Springfield station from my house.Well, we did seem to be going fast--just a few minutes between those small stations!
Thanks for the ticket advice, and the track 2 advice, lordsigma. I will get the CTrail ticket on the train (senior discount, too!). I thought I would get a CTrail ticket from an agent in the station at Springfield--I'm assuming there is one there? Or do they use the Amtrak agent? Then I will have a choice of the CTrail train or the Amtrak shuttle back, depending on when I leave the RUN meeting (probably won't stay til the end, because I don't want to take a chance on the last train not running for some reason).
My other cousin who I saw yesterday (she's more into environmental stuff and preservation than her sister) drove me over to the original Windsor Locks station, which they do seem to have started restoring, at least cosmetically--plants outside, along with environmentally correct rainbarrels. Now whether that translates into working on the actual station and keeping it, who knows.I took a few pictures of it (on my flip phone--please do not laugh) so I have them to look at or show in person but of course cannot post them.
Yep. CTRail tickets can be used on the Springfield Shuttle and Regionals, and any Amtrak ticket (for travel between New Haven and Springfield, of course) can be used on CTRail.Edit: I almost forgot...Amtrak will honor CTRail tickets on all trains except the Vermonter. I think CTRail honors Amtrak tix between SPG & NHV as well. I know Amtrak dropped their ticket prices to match CTRail prices. So, in all likelihood, Connecticut makes up the difference between the $5 or $10 ticket price and the 'regular' Amtrak cost when necessary.
I would suspect the Amtrak move will be tied to the opening of the high level platform. An Amtrak VP was quoted in 2016 on that they would move when that platform opens - makes sense as the current setup is easier for the agents to help with the low level platforms.A bit over a month ago, I had a couple hours to kill in the Springfield station having arrived on shuttle 470 and waiting for 449 to Chicago. I park at WNL because it's free, and only a mile or so further than the Springfield station from my house.Well, we did seem to be going fast--just a few minutes between those small stations!
Thanks for the ticket advice, and the track 2 advice, lordsigma. I will get the CTrail ticket on the train (senior discount, too!). I thought I would get a CTrail ticket from an agent in the station at Springfield--I'm assuming there is one there? Or do they use the Amtrak agent? Then I will have a choice of the CTrail train or the Amtrak shuttle back, depending on when I leave the RUN meeting (probably won't stay til the end, because I don't want to take a chance on the last train not running for some reason).
My other cousin who I saw yesterday (she's more into environmental stuff and preservation than her sister) drove me over to the original Windsor Locks station, which they do seem to have started restoring, at least cosmetically--plants outside, along with environmentally correct rainbarrels. Now whether that translates into working on the actual station and keeping it, who knows.I took a few pictures of it (on my flip phone--please do not laugh) so I have them to look at or show in person but of course cannot post them.
It's much more interesting to kill time in the newly refurbished station area. Lots of people walking by, etc. I vaguely recall seeing 2 CTRail ticket machines along the west wall at the beginning of the tunnel, just past what will become the Amtrak ticket window. I suspect Amtrak doesn't want to have those machines in the existing Amshack station as it will soon be vacated. But then, I've been hearing/reading that for about a year already.
Edit: I almost forgot...Amtrak will honor CTRail tickets on all trains except the Vermonter. I think CTRail honors Amtrak tix between SPG & NHV as well. I know Amtrak dropped their ticket prices to match CTRail prices. So, in all likelihood, Connecticut makes up the difference between the $5 or $10 ticket price and the 'regular' Amtrak cost when necessary.
Springfield has Amtrak agents only that can sell only Amtrak tickets (as I said the price is the same but only the Amtrak discounts apply not CTrail.) CTrail does have a superior senior discount so you'll want to use the CTrail machines on the lower level.Thanks for the ticket advice, and the track 2 advice, lordsigma. I will get the CTrail ticket on the train (senior discount, too!). I thought I would get a CTrail ticket from an agent in the station at Springfield--I'm assuming there is one there? Or do they use the Amtrak agent? Then I will have a choice of the CTrail train or the Amtrak shuttle back, depending on when I leave the RUN meeting (probably won't stay til the end, because I don't want to take a chance on the last train not running for some reason).
I think you can. if you ever couldn't Amtrak agent is the other option for cash. Given its commuter prices on the line the price difference due to the differing senior discounts is going to be tiny if you end up wanting to buy from the Amtrak agent.Can I use cash in the kiosks?
Also, for Shore Line East, can I get a ticket from New Haven to New London from a ticket agent, or do I have to use a kiosk again?
Sorry to switch the topic to Shore Line East, but I don't want to be stuck in New Haven without a way to get a ticket north!
Either call Amtrak or book online and then just have the conductor look you up if you can't get to your email - I've seen this done several times. If all else fails and you can't pre-book it dont bother going back to Hartford or take a crazy early train just board the one you want in Windsor and buy from the Amtrak conductor. While it will be a little bit higher fare, Windsor to Springfield is normally only $4.75 so it shouldn't be bad. If you ever did want to spend the day in Springfield there is the new casino where you can kill time and some good restaurants.Oh drat, I have messed up this Saturday completely. You are all absolutely right--there's practically nothing going north to Springfield. I can't take the Amtrak shuttle (the best choice) because I can't get into my email on the hotel computers so can't buy a ticket online, which leaves me just with a ridiculously early CTrail that gets there around 9:45. Then I can buy a ticket back on the Amtrak shuttle, but the only decent one is at 5:20.
I was hoping to just run up there for a few hours and sneak away again, but with that schedule, it looks like I will be there all day!
I am a bit concerned about being in Springfield on a weekend morning for a couple of hours before the meeting. Is it safe? Is there anywhere to get breakfast (I see a gazillion Dunkin Donuts on the map, but is there anything else?)
There's another possibility--get CTrail going south from Windsor to Hartford around 10:30, then buy a ticket for the northbound Amtrak shuttle, which gets to Springfield around 12:20, which would be perfect--I wouldn't have to hang around Springfield. However, Hartford is not great, either, and I don't know if it would be easy to find where the shuttle goes from--I don't want to be stuck in Hartford because I can't find the right track! What do you guys think? I don't really want to miss the meeting, not after promising everyone I would go and let them know what it's like!
Southbound in the evening, I don't see any choice except the 5:20.
Any and all advice will be welcome--thanks!
You can but Windsor/Windsor Locks still don't have the machines which I'm guessing is the root of her problem. The procedure there is you buy on the train if its CTrail (no penalty) and you prebuy using online or phone for Amtrak (or buy on board for a surcharge.)I believe you can buy tickets for Shuttle trains from the CTrail ticket machines.
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