LSL Boarding Questions

[Big Iron]

I've searched the threads and can't find specific answers to some questions I have. I'll be arriving NYP on #194 and departing in a rommette on #49 so I will have access to the Acela lounge. I've never used the NYP lounge.

What is the boarding process from the lounge at NYP?

Approximately when does the boarding process start for sleeping passengers of the LSL?

Are passengers escorted to the train by an Amtrak employee as they do in the Metropolitan lounge in CHI? I assume Red Caps are always an option but I will be travelling light so won't need help with luggage. I'll ask for a Red Cap when I check in and hopefully will be able to tag along when its time to board. I did see where other posters mentioned that the Red Caps might not show on time or may not allow you to tag along if you don't need obvious help. I would plan to flash the Red Cap a $5.00 with my ticket which has done the trick in the past at the DC lounge.

Also, on return I will be coming in on a sleeper from the CL connecting to a Regional. I've read on other threads that you can now board from the CA lounge in DC for a Regional (southbound #195 from WAS to RVR). What should I expect in this regard?

Any other information about a roundtrip RVR-NYP-CHI-WAS-RVR would be appreciated. It's been a long time (1985) since I've ridden the LSL, haven't ridden the CL since the CCC was replaced with the full diner but am very familiar with that train. I opted for Business Class on #194 since AGR points were paying for that and the LSL roomette.

One last thing, anyone know how many times the eastbound CL has been bustituted from PGH to WAS due to CSX trackwork? I'll be departing CHI on a Sunday so the potential for a bus ride is there.

Thanks!!

 

[Shanghai]

At NYP, the lounge attendant announces the track number of the LSL in advance of the

general posting of the number, maybe 5 minutes. If you ask for a Red Cap, do so when

you check in at the lounge and they will come maybe 10 prior to the track announcement.

If you do not have a Red Cap, sometimes the attendant in the lounge will tell you to

go to the track entrance in the main station area and sleeper passengers line up to

the left of the entrance to the escalator. The boarding person will allow the sleeper

passengers to go down the escalator first then followed by the coach passengers. There

is usually a train attendant at the bottom of the escalator to direct you to the sleeper

cars. They are usually farthest end of the train from the escalator~!!! Your SCA will

greet you at the entrance to the sleeper.

In WAS, on two occasions I boarded the regional train (to NYP) after arriving on the CL

from the Lounge. I was told to go to the West Door of the lounge 15 minutes before departure

time. The lounge attendant announced the track and we walked out the lounge door to the

train. We were ahead of the coach passengers.

Happy Travels.

 

[Dovecote]

Also, on return I will be coming in on a sleeper from the CL connecting to a Regional. I've read on other threads that you can now board from the CA lounge in DC for a Regional (southbound #195 from WAS to RVR). What should I expect in this regard?

The only question I can answer with a high degree of certainty is the boarding procedure for your connection home to RVR from the CA lounge in WAS. Since your NER train will be arriving on the lower level tracks (#22 and higher tracks) you will not be able to board by yourself to the tracks from the CA lounge. It is my understanding the Amtrak personnel are uncomfortable allowing passengers to board to the lower level due to the maze like conditions getting to those tracks. However you can board from the CA lounge to the lower level tracks with the aid of a Redcap. I have done this on on several occasions on trains originating from RVR. You could also preboard before the masses at the general waiting area without a Recap with a business class seat, senior status, or if you have a physical disability.

 

[amamba]

I have only boarded the LSL once from the NYP CA on a sleeper, but for me, they called the passengers that had requested redcaps ahead of time. I did not request a redcap and just waited for the general announcement as I did not need assistance with my luggage and was trying to save some $$$.

When the track/platform was announced, I went out into the general waiting area and joined the line at the escalator. I was the 5th or so person in line, but I did wait in a general line with coach pax. I showed my ticket to the gate agent at the top of the escalator and proceeded down. When I got to the platform, I just asked the first person I saw which way to the sleepers, and he had me turn left to the sleepers while the coach pax were directed to the right.

 

[Big Iron]

Thanks Shanghai, Dovecote and Amamba. Any recollection of the usual track used for the LSL?

Is there a link to a floorplan of NYP anywhere? Not one I could find.

 

[AlanB]

Generally it's track #7, assuming no ongoing problems at NYP. It's the track with the longest platform that can still easily reach the tunnel to the Westside line to Albany. If they're having issues, then you could find it on 6.

And the escalator for that track is right outside the door to the Club Acela.

There is a link to a map of the upper level of the station around here someplace, but so far I haven't found it.

 

[Big Iron]

Generally it's track #7, assuming no ongoing problems at NYP. It's the track with the longest platform that can still easily reach the tunnel to the Westside line to Albany. If they're having issues, then you could find it on 6.

And the escalator for that track is right outside the door to the Club Acela.

There is a link to a map of the upper level of the station around here someplace, but so far I haven't found it.

Thank you sir, I figured it wouldn't take you long to weigh in on a NYP LSL question so I thought I'd give you a breather from the CZ police activity and Amtrak Coffee threads. :lol:

 

[Acela150]

Keep in mind that CA NYP can get packed! I was in there Sunday around noon and it was jammed with passengers.. But that's because all AE FC seats were sold out.

 

[AlanB]

Keep in mind that CA NYP can get packed! I was in there Sunday around noon and it was jammed with passengers.. But that's because all AE FC seats were sold out.

And because that was a huge travel day with people heading home after Christmas week and their New Years parties.

 

[AudenHoggart]

Keep in mind that CA NYP can get packed! I was in there Sunday around noon and it was jammed with passengers.. But that's because all AE FC seats were sold out.

And because that was a huge travel day with people heading home after Christmas week and their New Years parties.

Is there an elevator available for boarding the LSL out of NYP? How would you get to it from the CA lounge?

 

[AlanB]

Keep in mind that CA NYP can get packed! I was in there Sunday around noon and it was jammed with passengers.. But that's because all AE FC seats were sold out.

And because that was a huge travel day with people heading home after Christmas week and their New Years parties.

Is there an elevator available for boarding the LSL out of NYP? How would you get to it from the CA lounge?

Yes, although it's not just 1 elevator. One needs to ride 2 elevators to get down to the track level.

One starts with an elevator located on the opposite side of the Amtrak Police desk, opposite from the lounge that is. That elevator takes you to the LIRR lower level of Penn Station. Then you must find the correct elevator for the track you need on that level. If indeed the train is on track #7, then the track elevator would be very close to the elevator from the upper level.

However, in all honesty, if one is not really familiar with the layout of Penn and its various levels and corridors, I'd highly recommend getting a Red Cap to lead you.

 

[Acela150]

Keep in mind that CA NYP can get packed! I was in there Sunday around noon and it was jammed with passengers.. But that's because all AE FC seats were sold out.

And because that was a huge travel day with people heading home after Christmas week and their New Years parties.

I think what was more amazing was the city itself was dead.

 

[AlanB]

Keep in mind that CA NYP can get packed! I was in there Sunday around noon and it was jammed with passengers.. But that's because all AE FC seats were sold out.

And because that was a huge travel day with people heading home after Christmas week and their New Years parties.

I think what was more amazing was the city itself was dead.

Well everyone was out partying quite late the night before.