"When the train pulls into Albany from Chicago, typically there is a stub train train(A short train with a cafe car and a couple of coaches) waiting on the track closest to the station building. This train will run to Boston, so all passengers going to Boston must go upstairs into the station and then back down on the other platform to reach the stub train."
"Things used to be a lot more complicated back when the Boston section was combined with the NY section, but now the dance is much simpler, even though it's not as convienent for the passengers."
Not always true- the last two times I went to Boston and back the stub train was literally right across from the LSL- both ways. We exited the sleeper and walked about 75' to our Business Class seats.
M
Mark;
That was exactly my experience the last round trip we made on the Boston-Chicago LSL.
You guys have been lucky then, as if I had to guess I'd say that at least 30% to 50% of the time, the stub was not directly across the platform. Since Albany's new station has never been finished, and at this point it is unclear if it ever will be, where the stubby sits depends on just how late the LSL is running, as well as how late/on time the rest of the Empire Service is.
AFAIK things have still not been changed, so only the track closest to the station building can actually directly access the line leading to Boston. The other two tracks require a backup move to reach the line to Boston. So depending on timing, Amtrak often can't afford to tie up tracks with that backup move, and therefore will put the stubby on the track closest to the station. When they do that, one has no choice but to go up to the sky bridge and back down.
Now if they ever build the final track for the station, then this will cease to be an issue. But again, I've not heard of any plans lately to actually build that track. AFAIK, that died along with the Turboliner deal as well as the second main line track between ALB and SDY. Although there is still enough pressure for that second main between ALB - SDY, so that may one day still get built.