Questions for BUF-ORL round trip

JSmith · Feb 20, 2015

Hi all, it's been a while since I last posted here. My family is taking a vacation to Disney World in May and we are taking the train down and back. I've been using the Amtrak Guest Rewards credit card for about 5 years or so now and accumulating points, and finally took the opportunity to cash out on a long distance trip, so we have two roomettes for the four of us, both ways. Nice to have our travel expenses completely covered in first class for free! We are on Empire Service 280 from BUF to NYP, then the Silver Meteor to ORL. On the way back we are taking the Silver Meteor to NYP and then the Lake Shore Limited to BUF. I have a few questions for those who are familiar with these routes:

1. A question from historical curiosity only. I took this same trip when I was a kid, in 1981. We were in some kind of bedroom sleeper on the way down to Florida. What kind of car would that have been at the time? The Viewliners certainly didn't exist then.

2. We have to carry our luggage on the (very early morning) Empire Service 280 train. When we get to Penn Station, where do we need to go to check our bags onboard the Silver Meteor?

3. I assume we will then go and wait for the Silver Meteor in the Club Acela lounge. Do they board the first class passengers from the lounge the way that Chicago Union Station's Metropolitan Lounge does? Or do we have to return to the main concourse and board with everyone else?

4. On the way back, we have roomettes on both the Silver Meteor and the Lake Shore Limited. I assume we can check our luggage right through to Buffalo and not have to worry about it during our connection at Penn Station, correct?

5. There have been a LOT of delays in the past week on the BUF-NYP trains, including an LSL that was 11 hours late into Buffalo last week! Is this solely due to the weather, or is it part of the ongoing issues with CSX? Can I assume it will be largely a non-issue by May?

6. Chances of lunch on the Silver Meteor departing ORL? We board at 1:35 PM, but that's assuming the train is running on time. I assume we will be able to get lunch on the southbound train on our way to Orlando (arrival at 12:55 PM).

7. Can anyone recommend a good pizza/calzone place within walking distance of Penn Station? My wife is from Brooklyn and misses proper New York calzones. I figured we have time to grab lunch outside Penn Station during our stopover and not be limited to Sbarro and the rest of the station food court options.

Thank you for your advice! I am really looking forward to taking this trip with my family, and kind of amazed to be able to do this all in roomettes (and business class on the 280) at absolutely no cost other than running my regular monthly expenses through the AGR credit card. It (almost) makes a Disney World vacation affordable! ;-)

pennyk · Feb 20, 2015

I can answer the Silver Meteor lunch questions. Almost always, I have been able to get lunch in the diner traveling north on the Silver Meteor from Orlando. Orlando is my home station and I travel on the Meteor more often than any other train. I only remember 3 instances when the train was too late for lunch. Two of those times, the sleeper passengers were given a voucher to purchase lunch at a cafe across the street. The other time, I knew in advance that the train would be very late (because it left Miami very late), and I had lunch at home before I arrived at the station. I heard from other sleeper passengers that lunch was provided in the station for the sleeper passengers from a local pizza/sub restaurant.

Quite often, the attendant will make a 2pm lunch reservation for the passengers boarding 98 in Orlando. Other times, we are told to go to the diner as soon as we board.

Southbound, yes, you will get lunch before you arrive in Orlando. The LSA will take reservations and give the earlier reservations (either 11:45 or noon), depending on whether the train is on time, to the passengers de-training in Winter Park and Orlando.

If you have more questions about the Silver Meteor, please ask here or PM me.

Enjoy your time in Orlando. May is a nice time of year here. (BTW, there was a running race at Disney this morning in freezing temperatures. It may have not been the happiest place in the world for the runners that did not layer).

JSmith · Feb 20, 2015

Thanks, pennyk, that is good to hear! We have gone to WDW twice before in early May, and we think it is a great time. The weather is perfect, but for some reason it is a slow season at the parks and the crowds and the hotel prices are lower.

I thought of another question: Does the children's menu on this train (and on the LSL) have any choices other than the hot dog and macaroni-and-cheese listed on this menu? I have picky eaters who are unfortunately not even picky about the same things, and pasta or chicken fingers would be better received by my youngest. Normally, I might say "suck it up, Buttercup" but it seems that a hungry kid on a train couldn't possibly improve the experience.

StriderGDM · Feb 20, 2015

The train from BUF will arrive on one of the tracks fairly close to the checked baggage area. (yesterday, I literally arrived at the top of the stairs closest to the baggage area.)

It's fairly simple to get to. And the Acela lounge is about 80 around a corner. (basically there's a staircase to street level. The baggage area is to the left and the Acela beyond on the right.)

And no, the Acela lounge does NOT go directly to the platforms. Usually you'll get someone to escort you there, but yesterday it was just me and they were mobbed (due to the weather and cancellations) so the attendant told me the gate (wrong one, but it really didn't matter.)

And yes, you can check bags straight through. In fact, you could do so from Buffalo if you drop them off in time to be picked up by the day earlier Lake Shore Limited.

Expect delays due to CSX, but I wouldn't worry TOO much.

Can't say for pizza,sorry.

StriderGDM · Feb 20, 2015

JSmith said:
Thanks, pennyk, that is good to hear! We have gone to WDW twice before in early May, and we think it is a great time. The weather is perfect, but for some reason it is a slow season at the parks and the crowds and the hotel prices are lower.

I thought of another question: Does the children's menu on this train (and on the LSL) have any choices other than the hot dog and macaroni-and-cheese listed on this menu? I have picky eaters who are unfortunately not even picky about the same things, and pasta or chicken fingers would be better received by my youngest. Normally, I might say "suck it up, Buttercup" but it seems that a hungry kid on a train couldn't possibly improve the experience.

That's it for the menu. However, the cafe car is right next door.

pennyk · Feb 20, 2015

Do the children eat burgers? Since I have never traveled with a child, I have no idea if children will be served an adult lunch/dinner entree rather than something from the the children's menu.

Someone with children may be able to answer that question.

JSmith · Feb 20, 2015

StriderGDM said:
And yes, you can check bags straight through. In fact, you could do so from Buffalo if you drop them off in time to be picked up by the day earlier Lake Shore Limited.

Oh! That's an intriguing idea. And then they would hold the bags for us overnight in Orlando? I think I'll have to call the staff at Buffalo-Depew and ask about this. That could make the first leg of the trip a lot easier without having to schlep our bigger bags on and off the Empire Service train and then at Penn Station. Thanks!

Bob Dylan · Feb 20, 2015

Nice family Vacation! I took my daughter and grandaughter to Orlando in May and you are correct about it being the perfect time to go!

I recommend getting a Red Cap @ NYP to take you to/from the Club Acela! Just tell the Conductor ( no attendants on ES ) on the Empire Service Train you'd like a Red Cap when you arrive @ NYP! W

When you check into the Club let the desk know and the Redcap will pick you up for early boarding, even take ya'll and any luggage directly to your room via the ecescelator or elevator ! Good $10 investment!

Important: Be sure that the conductor scans your tickets each time you board a train so the rest of your trip isnt cancelled as a " no show!"

StriderGDM · Feb 20, 2015

JSmith said:
StriderGDM said:

And yes, you can check bags straight through. In fact, you could do so from Buffalo if you drop them off in time to be picked up by the day earlier Lake Shore Limited.

Click to expand...

Oh! That's an intriguing idea. And then they would hold the bags for us overnight in Orlando? I think I'll have to call the staff at Buffalo-Depew and ask about this. That could make the first leg of the trip a lot easier without having to schlep our bigger bags on and off the Empire Service train and then at Penn Station. Thanks!

Talk to the staff at the station. In theory, yes, they will. However, more likely if you get it on the LSL the day before, it'll arrive in NYP in time to be on the same train as you to ORL, so should arrive in ORL when you do.

JSmith · Feb 20, 2015

StriderGDM said:
Talk to the staff at the station. In theory, yes, they will. However, more likely if you get it on the LSL the day before, it'll arrive in NYP in time to be on the same train as you to ORL, so should arrive in ORL when you do.

Oh, right - because the LSL gets in to NYP after the SM departs, so they would hold our luggage overnight in NYP and put it on our train to Orlando. I will definitely ask about this.

the_traveler · Feb 20, 2015

pennyk said:
Do the children eat burgers? Since I have never traveled with a child, I have no idea if children will be served an adult lunch/dinner entree rather than something from the the children's menu.

Someone with children may be able to answer that question.

I don't have children (that I know of

), but I can answer this question. You are not limited for ordering for them from the "child's" menu. All choices are available for each meal for them.

Big Iron · Feb 20, 2015

JSmith said:
Hi all, it's been a while since I last posted here. My family is taking a vacation to Disney World in May and we are taking the train down and back. I've been using the Amtrak Guest Rewards credit card for about 5 years or so now and accumulating points, and finally took the opportunity to cash out on a long distance trip, so we have two roomettes for the four of us, both ways. Nice to have our travel expenses completely covered in first class for free! We are on Empire Service 280 from BUF to NYP, then the Silver Meteor to ORL. On the way back we are taking the Silver Meteor to NYP and then the Lake Shore Limited to BUF. I have a few questions for those who are familiar with these routes:

1. A question from historical curiosity only. I took this same trip when I was a kid, in 1981. We were in some kind of bedroom sleeper on the way down to Florida. What kind of car would that have been at the time? The Viewliners certainly didn't exist then.

2. We have to carry our luggage on the (very early morning) Empire Service 280 train. When we get to Penn Station, where do we need to go to check our bags onboard the Silver Meteor?

3. I assume we will then go and wait for the Silver Meteor in the Club Acela lounge. Do they board the first class passengers from the lounge the way that Chicago Union Station's Metropolitan Lounge does? Or do we have to return to the main concourse and board with everyone else?

4. On the way back, we have roomettes on both the Silver Meteor and the Lake Shore Limited. I assume we can check our luggage right through to Buffalo and not have to worry about it during our connection at Penn Station, correct?

5. There have been a LOT of delays in the past week on the BUF-NYP trains, including an LSL that was 11 hours late into Buffalo last week! Is this solely due to the weather, or is it part of the ongoing issues with CSX? Can I assume it will be largely a non-issue by May?

6. Chances of lunch on the Silver Meteor departing ORL? We board at 1:35 PM, but that's assuming the train is running on time. I assume we will be able to get lunch on the southbound train on our way to Orlando (arrival at 12:55 PM).

7. Can anyone recommend a good pizza/calzone place within walking distance of Penn Station? My wife is from Brooklyn and misses proper New York calzones. I figured we have time to grab lunch outside Penn Station during our stopover and not be limited to Sbarro and the rest of the station food court options.

Thank you for your advice! I am really looking forward to taking this trip with my family, and kind of amazed to be able to do this all in roomettes (and business class on the 280) at absolutely no cost other than running my regular monthly expenses through the AGR credit card. It (almost) makes a Disney World vacation affordable! ;-)

Regarding question 1) you were riding in a Heritage sleeper, sometimes called a 10-6 sleeper because it had 10 single roomettes and 6 double bedrooms.

If you look at the video link below, fast forward to 15:05 mark, and it should jog your memory.

ehbowen · Feb 21, 2015

You may check your luggage in up to 24 hours before your own departure. It will be forwarded to your destination in the most direct manner. If it gets there before you do, Amtrak will hold it until your arrival at no charge. Amtrak is very good about matching claim checks before it will release checked baggage (much more strict than the airlines), so there is very little chance that your luggage will "walk" before you get there.

I understand that children in the family bedroom (on Superliners) are restricted to ordering from the children's menu. However, in all other accommodations children of any age are regarded as the equivalent of adult passengers (as regards payment of the accommodation charge...rail fare is discounted, but accommodations are not) and may order from any item on the menu, whether the adults' or children's items, as they and their parents see fit.

KmH · Feb 21, 2015

Using Google's street view I remember seeing a pizza place 1/2 a block or so from Penn Station.

New York Pizza Suprema - 413 8th ave.

http://nypizzasuprema.com/menu.html

https://www.google.com/maps/place/New+York+Pizza+Suprema/@40.7503504,-73.9936015,18z/data=!4m7!1m4!3m3!1s0x89c259ae1434b7f9:0x3e64008c2728c60b!2sPenn+Station!3b1!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0x688e5bd3a4e58b59

Bob Dylan · Feb 21, 2015

I'd like a citation for children in the Family Bedroom being limited to ordering from the kids menu in the Diner please!

acelafan · Feb 21, 2015

JSmith said:
We are on Empire Service 280 from BUF to NYP, then the Silver Meteor to ORL. On the way back we are taking the Silver Meteor to NYP and then the Lake Shore Limited to BUF.

Thank you for your advice! I am really looking forward to taking this trip with my family, and kind of amazed to be able to do this all in roomettes (and business class on the 280) at absolutely no cost other than running my regular monthly expenses through the AGR credit card. It (almost) makes a Disney World vacation affordable! ;-)

DryCreek · Feb 21, 2015

Lucky You!

I am a severe Walt Disney Fan (either WDW or DL is fine with me). However, the wife is not. She put the kibosh on another visit to The Mouse" until she gets to Montana and Wyoming. I am thinking about how to book an Empire Builder trip next year - providing she is OK with our little jaunt to Tucson late May on the Texas Eagle/SL.

Long Train Runnin' · Feb 22, 2015

Not going to lie I skipped reading all of the posts in the thread. You might already be aware, but its worth saying just to be sure. Make sure AGR put you in Biz Class on the Empire Service train. That's a long ride in coach and the seats in BC on that route are not to be missed.

JSmith · Feb 24, 2015

Thanks, everyone. I got a good AGR agent who put us in business class without me having to ask. I hope a family in business class isn't going to cause too many annoyed glares. Hopefully on a Saturday morning there won't be as many "power commuters" as there might be on a weekday.

I've taken business class once before - from Buffalo to Toronto on the Maple Leaf - and you are right, it is a really pleasant way to travel. Nice seats, and a nice quiet and private car.

That video Big Iron posted is hilarious! Makes the early '90s feel like a surprisingly long time ago.

Bus Nut · Feb 24, 2015

You might look into having calzones delivered to you at Penn Station or at one of the entrances rather than taking a time risk traveling around. You could probably arrange it all from the ES train.

Not to start a flame war or anything :giggle: but the best pizza I ever had (before my gluten problem started) was in Elizabethtown, NJ.

JSmith · May 5, 2015

StriderGDM said:
JSmith said:

StriderGDM said:

And yes, you can check bags straight through. In fact, you could do so from Buffalo if you drop them off in time to be picked up by the day earlier Lake Shore Limited.

Click to expand...

Oh! That's an intriguing idea. And then they would hold the bags for us overnight in Orlando? I think I'll have to call the staff at Buffalo-Depew and ask about this. That could make the first leg of the trip a lot easier without having to schlep our bigger bags on and off the Empire Service train and then at Penn Station. Thanks!

Click to expand...

Talk to the staff at the station. In theory, yes, they will. However, more likely if you get it on the LSL the day before, it'll arrive in NYP in time to be on the same train as you to ORL, so should arrive in ORL when you do.

Thank you again for this tip. I wouldn't have thought of doing this otherwise. (Can you imagine asking an airline if you could just put this bag on a plane that you won't be on?) I called the Buffalo-Depew station and spoke with a very nice fellow who said it would be no problem at all to drop the bags off the morning before and they would go on the LSL, wait for us overnight at NYP and then be put on the SM with us. He said that "a lot of people do that" and was very comfortable with the procedure.

I am looking forward to this trip, and, shall we say, nervously optimistic about how my kids will handle 30 hours onboard.

Questions for BUF-ORL round trip

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