Planning a LSL Trip - Recommendations Appreciated

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TFrankMac said:
cpotisch said:
TFrankMac said:
cpotisch said:
brianpmcdonnell17 said:
TFrankMac said:
tomfuller said:
Since you are boarding in Erie at 7:20AM (could be later), consider booking Business Class seats on 448. The BC seats are in the front section of the cafe car and are quite comfortable for a daytime ride.

On the return trip expect to arrive late in Erie. Westbound you really want the roomette.
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IndyLions said:
Ill second the recommendation for Business Class on the 448 LSL. Its comfortable, a money saver on a day trip, and a lot less hectic and crowded than coach typically. Also, when Ive taken a roomette on a Viewliner on 448 with my wife, there is usually a large, accessible bathroom only 1 or 2 cars down in the lounge. Thats a good alternative to the in room toilet - and you still have the in room sink - which is a great feature for brushing your teeth, shaving or splashing some water on your face.

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Thanks for the heads up. How would you go about scheduling on the 448 or 449 out of ERI? The only options that appear for me are 48/49 without business class seats as an option (for the multiple dates I've played with).
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You would have to book a multi-city or two separate tickets with a transfer at Albany-Rensselaer. If you wait for the forced transfer to be programmed into the system, business class may come up as a possibility on a one-way ticket as well.
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Yes. Since 448/449 are the Boston sections, it's not normally listed for passengers past ALB (where the train splits). One thing I will say about Business Class is that it's in an Amfleet I, which means you'd have significantly smaller windows than in a Roomette or even Coach (Amfleet II). And you'd also be walking through maybe four coach cars to get to the diner.
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Is the Business Class car generally directly behind the locomotive/baggage cars in the front?
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It goes Locomotive - Locomotive - Baggage - Boston Sleeper - Business/Cafe - [a bunch of other stuff]. So yes, it is the third car at the front.
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Thanks. Does the LSL have a dedicated attendant for the business class car? I’ve read that the experience tends to shift depending on which route you’re on...

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I believe the Business attendant also serves as the cafe attendant.
 
Anyhow, so if you do still decide to take the LSL, I would say definitely get a roomette on #49 since it’s overnight (unless the price is ridiculous), and if a roomette is reasonably cheap on #48, maybe go for it, but I wouldn’t describe it as a necessity. Business does seem like a decent option, but it won’t be a MASSIVE step up from coach. It’ll be quieter, you’ll have a bit more space, and you get a couple free sodas, but really there’s not much else.

However you travel (even flying), I hope you have a great trip!

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cpotisch said:
Anyhow, so if you do still decide to take the LSL, I would say definitely get a roomette on #49 since it’s overnight (unless the price is ridiculous), and if a roomette is reasonably cheap on #48, maybe go for it, but I wouldn’t describe it as a necessity. Business does seem like a decent option, but it won’t be a MASSIVE step up from coach. It’ll be quieter, you’ll have a bit more space, and you get a couple free sodas, but really there’s not much else.

However you travel (even flying), I hope you have a great trip!

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum
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Thank you! Really appreciate all your help!

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TFrankMac said:
cpotisch said:
Anyhow, so if you do still decide to take the LSL, I would say definitely get a roomette on #49 since it’s overnight (unless the price is ridiculous), and if a roomette is reasonably cheap on #48, maybe go for it, but I wouldn’t describe it as a necessity. Business does seem like a decent option, but it won’t be a MASSIVE step up from coach. It’ll be quieter, you’ll have a bit more space, and you get a couple free sodas, but really there’s not much else.

However you travel (even flying), I hope you have a great trip!

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum
Click to expand...
Thank you! Really appreciate all your help!

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum
Click to expand...
Glad I could help. [emoji846]
 
cpotisch said:
TFrankMac said:
cpotisch said:
Anyhow, so if you do still decide to take the LSL, I would say definitely get a roomette on #49 since it’s overnight (unless the price is ridiculous), and if a roomette is reasonably cheap on #48, maybe go for it, but I wouldn’t describe it as a necessity. Business does seem like a decent option, but it won’t be a MASSIVE step up from coach. It’ll be quieter, you’ll have a bit more space, and you get a couple free sodas, but really there’s not much else.

However you travel (even flying), I hope you have a great trip!

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum
Click to expand...
Thank you! Really appreciate all your help!

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum
Click to expand...
Glad I could help. [emoji846]
Click to expand...
Looks like I'll be able to check-out the roomette experience a bit earlier than I expected. Had a last minute meeting pop up in Chicago and decided to take the train there. I will be taking the 449 in roomette 001 there and 48 in roomette 006 back. Since the 449 train pulls into ERI late at night (around 2 AM), will my roomette be configured for sleeping when I board?
 
TFrankMac said:
Looks like I'll be able to check-out the roomette experience a bit earlier than I expected. Had a last minute meeting pop up in Chicago and decided to take the train there. I will be taking the 449 in roomette 001 there and 48 in roomette 006 back. Since the 449 train pulls into ERI late at night (around 2 AM), will my roomette be configured for sleeping when I board?
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Yes. It will be ready with the bed laid out on the lower berth ready for you to got to bed.
 
tomfuller said:
Check your roomette number! Normally Roomette #1 on any sleeper car is assigned to the SCA at least on the sleeper cars I've been in.
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Just double checked. Car 4920 - Room 001.
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That sounds right for a Viewliner. I've only been on the Florida ones, but room 001 on them is a passenger roomette, and the SCA's room is 12, I believe (or maybe 11).

Room 001 is one of my favorites--you will have a neighbor on only one side, and the linen closet (which never makes any noise
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) on the other side of you. Although, to be fair, sleeper car passengers seem fairly quiet in general.
 
Mystic River Dragon said:
That sounds right for a Viewliner. I've only been on the Florida ones, but room 001 on them is a passenger roomette, and the SCA's room is 12, I believe (or maybe 11).

Room 001 is one of my favorites--you will have a neighbor on only one side, and the linen closet (which never makes any noise
default_tongue.png
) on the other side of you. Although, to be fair, sleeper car passengers seem fairly quiet in general.
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On Viewliners, the SCA's roomette does not have a number, and is never used for revenue passengers. There are 13 roomettes total, revenue rooms 1-12, and the SCA room.
 
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The SCA room on VL is across from the shower and is outfitted with a annunciation board for rooms who pressed their CALL button. The SCA room on SL is always #1, even if they still use the Transdorm. On SL cars #1 is a non revenue room.
 

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