Thank you for this. Am considering the Chicago to Boston and back train next fall. My only criticism is, there’s no mention of Wi-Fi. I’ve heard that Wi-Fi is spotty and iffy on these trains.
Thank you and fair point. The Wi-Fi is pretty much non-existent. I've never gotten it to work reliably on the long distance trains, and use my phone instead. On this trip, I had cell service the whole way except for about an hour stretch in western Massachusetts. Happy travels!
I appreciate your low-key emphasis that it's very difficult to get in and out of the bedroom while the lower berth is made up for sleeping. One additional tip I can offer as a frequent passenger on this train in these bedrooms -- pull the curtains closed on the upper and lower windows before going to sleep. The train passes through many stations and platforms with bright lights above, and the curtains make it much easier to sleep. Another tip -- there is a sliding door, locked from both sides, that joins the two bedrooms (A and B). This door often squeaks and rattles, even on the new Viewliner II equipment. Use the firm cardboard safety insert (steal another if needed ... :) ) and fold it into a wedge. There is usually just one or two key places that squeak, and with the card wedged in place the squeak can be quieted.
Thanks for the comment and the tips! My particular car didn't have the squeaking connector door issue, luckily. It did have a different mildly annoying noise of an electric motor starting and stopping every few minutes, which wasn't helpful when trying to sleep. I've read this is specific to the B bedroom on the Viewliner 2s.
@@SightlinesTravel I’ll be taking the zephyr over the 4th of July holiday to California for my 50th birthday. I’m hoping to see fireworks along the journey!
My memory is a bit fuzzy on the exact location however I think it was just past Albany when the train split and the half going to Boston went out a way and then stopped on a bridge and then reversed direction; I am guessing to be pointed in the correct direction to go east. I have no idea in intervening 4+ decades if newer tracks have eliminated this having to be done. I do remember a smart ass student telling the conductor as the train was slowing on the bridge that he had left his bag on the platform at the last stop and could we go back so I could retrieve it. The quick thinking conductor caught on (or perhaps this was not the first time someone had said this) and replied loudly to the effect that they usually would not turn the train back for misplaced luggage but would make an exception in this case. Some passengers in the car groaned and glared at me, and a few laughed. Another memory that is fading with time passing is reading somewhere that at least a few guys would jump on the Lakeshore Limited or maybe it was the Broadway Limited and ride them far enough to get a haircut and a meal in the dining car, then get off and take a train in the other direction to get back home. Anyways thanks for a fun and interesting video that brought back a great memory.
Thank you for the anecdotes and glad you enjoyed the video! Today, they decouple the locomotives and front four cars of the train from the rest of the train, and that front part heads to Boston without having to reverse.
Good memories of making the trip from Chicago to New York on the LSL. I recall they offered a (quite late) dinner dining car service back in those days. Was dinner an option, and you just preferred going to bed? Just curious, as it is a trip iw ould like to make again some time before old age totally sets in for me.
Unfortunately the dining car was closed when we departed Chicago at 9:30pm, so dinner there wasn’t an option. The sleeping car attendant mentioned that the cafe car was open until 11pm (or later, I forget exactly what time she mentioned), and I could get a complimentary drink. I assume they had some snacks for sale too. Happy travels, I hope you’re able to take the LSL again!
@@SightlinesTravel Thank you for the information. I guess, as I remember it, the departure time at the time was more like 6-7 pm and there were two dinner seatings. With the later departure it figures to be too late for dining on board. I opted for second seating, and there turned out to only be two diners, so we were sat together. And my dinner partner was a very peculiar gent who ended up with most of his main course down his shirt front and with no conversation :-) I had some great trips on Amtrak in the 80s and 90s. IT seemed a notch better then, especially when you clicked to have a crack on-board crew. look forward to seeing more of yoru videos having just now discovered yoru channel. FWIW my favorite Amtrak route is the Southwest Chief. Good travels! ---Mike
I often do exactly this trip, in a bedroom to Boston. The cafe car is usually open within minutes of leaving Chicago. Show them your ticket showing that you're in the sleeper, and they'll generally provide a hot meal (I like the cheeseburger) and one alcoholic beverage (I like the wine splits) without charge. Don't forget to tip the cafe attendant!
@@thomasstambaugh5181 You're so right. On my last trip (on the California Zephyr) a fellow diner (who always seemed to be there when I was there) was constantly telling stories demonstrating how wealthy he was, and yet never left a penny of a tip for the entire journey! The cafe & diner personnel really remember those who are grateful & generously show it. It makes a difference on a multi-day trip to the service you experience. I think all Amtrak trips are like buying a lottery ticket: it is the cabin crew that makes it a WIN or LOSE trip.
Thanks for the info, good to know! And I agree that tipping the folks providing service -- cafe attendant, dining car attendants, and sleeping car attendant -- is definitely a good idea.
Personally, even when I have a full bedroom, I use the shared shower since it is roomier and doesn't involve as much contortion working around a toilet.
Yeah, that's a good point, the toilet is in the way when showering. And even running the shower for just a few minutes to do a quick wash/rinse as I did leaves a half-inch or so of water on the floor that's slow to drain and dry.
I think it's just an operational change. When I took it in early April, the train was: -Front section (to Boston) - Viewliner II sleeper, cafe, two coaches -Back section (to New York) - three coaches, Viewliner II diner, two Viewliner I sleepers Earlier (last year), one of the New York sleepers was usually a Viewliner II, but Amtrak shuffled the equipment, and Amtrak may shuffle the equipment again at any point.
I assumed it did after my mom mentioned possibly going on train to take in the sights over in that area in the States. Especially in the Fall season with the leaves starting to change colors 🍃🍂🍁. If we were going to head towards that area better to do it by train instead of flying and basically missing all of the beautiful scenery as a result.
Yes, i wondered as well why you chose the upper bunk when you could have slept "downstairs." -- you are probably young enough that getting up/climbing down in the night for nature's call isn't an issue? i love train travel, and so many of these videos feature the little "rooms" -- i just curl up in my coach seat to sleep but spend most of my time in the observation car or cafe car booths. i'm frugal (starving artist) but still would rather use that extra money to spend at my destination.
@@SightlinesTravel Heck, I'm old enough to remember my mom and little me, sleeping in the top bunk of a by-god Pullman car, just like the ones in Some Like It Hot!
I bought a ticket for this train, but I am unclear as to what I do. I have an email confirmation with a barcode,but it says THIS IS NOT A TICKET. I am supposed to print out the email at an Amtrak kiosk? I am getting aboard the train in Framingham. Does every station have a kiosk with a printer? What if it is broken? I am afraid of getting there and discovering I am missing the ticket.
You should have gotten an email from etickets@amtrak.com with a PDF attachment. That attachment has the QR code you show to the conductor. Alternatively, you can install the Amtrak app and log in with the same email address and password you used on the website to get the QR code. If neither of those work, I’d suggest calling up Amtrak reservations and they should be able to look up your reservation and tell you what to do. Happy travels!
Your meal looked dreadful -- greasy looking potatoes., Why was the upper berth made up when you are travelling alone? Makes the room smaller. Ticket price?
When the lower bed is made up for sleeping while you're somewhere else, it takes gymnastics to enter the bedroom. There is literally NO space between the edge of the lower berth and the sink. If you're tall, the lower berth has more length. I like to sleep with my head towards the window.
@@randall8379 The superliner bedrooms have more space between the front of the berth and the sink. Even the Viewliner I bedrooms were a little better. This particular "feature" seems limited to the new Viewliner II equipment.
@@thomasstambaugh5181 I've ridden in Superliner and Viewliner I and II Bedrooms. I remember how tight the space was in the Superliner Bedroom between sink and lower berth. I forget just how tight it is in the Viewliner Bedroom. My guess is that the designers aren't experienced in overnight train travel in sleepers.
It was also nice to have the upper bunk made up but still be able sit on the couch (lower bunk) until ready to sleep. And it does seem like the designers of the VL2 sleepers missed some things the VLs had, like a place to store the ladder to the upper bunk. A couple of sleeping car attendants have complained about that.
I've been on the Lake Shore Limited three times, via the New York City to Chicago Union Station route, and vice versa. People have called it the "Late For Sure Limited". LOL. One time, the train was late and I arrived in Chicago FIVE HOURS LATE! 😳🙄🤦♂️🚆
I love Just The Way You Are that was played @ the beginning
Thanks! We have been on the LSL and are scheduled to make the trip again in July. Thank you for the tour of the sleeper accommodations.
Thank you and enjoy your trip!
Great catch ride with heritage 145 led by 103 on the train
Thank you!
Thank you for this. Am considering the Chicago to Boston and back train next fall.
My only criticism is, there’s no mention of Wi-Fi. I’ve heard that Wi-Fi is spotty and iffy on these trains.
Thank you and fair point. The Wi-Fi is pretty much non-existent. I've never gotten it to work reliably on the long distance trains, and use my phone instead. On this trip, I had cell service the whole way except for about an hour stretch in western Massachusetts. Happy travels!
I appreciate your low-key emphasis that it's very difficult to get in and out of the bedroom while the lower berth is made up for sleeping.
One additional tip I can offer as a frequent passenger on this train in these bedrooms -- pull the curtains closed on the upper and lower windows before going to sleep. The train passes through many stations and platforms with bright lights above, and the curtains make it much easier to sleep.
Another tip -- there is a sliding door, locked from both sides, that joins the two bedrooms (A and B). This door often squeaks and rattles, even on the new Viewliner II equipment. Use the firm cardboard safety insert (steal another if needed ... :) ) and fold it into a wedge. There is usually just one or two key places that squeak, and with the card wedged in place the squeak can be quieted.
Thanks for the comment and the tips! My particular car didn't have the squeaking connector door issue, luckily. It did have a different mildly annoying noise of an electric motor starting and stopping every few minutes, which wasn't helpful when trying to sleep. I've read this is specific to the B bedroom on the Viewliner 2s.
@@SightlinesTravel I know the sound you mean. I'm pretty sure that's a compressor for flushing the toilet.
Nice video
Thank you!
I’ve taken the Zephyr, the Capitol Limited and the Southwest Chief but this is next on my list.
It's a nice trip. Hopefully you get better weather that I did. 😊 I'd like to take the Capitol Limited and Southwest Chief too at some point.
@@SightlinesTravel I’ll be taking the zephyr over the 4th of July holiday to California for my 50th birthday. I’m hoping to see fireworks along the journey!
Sounds like a fun summer trip. Happy travels and an early happy birthday!
My memory is a bit fuzzy on the exact location however I think it was just past Albany when the train split and the half going to Boston went out a way and then stopped on a bridge and then reversed direction; I am guessing to be pointed in the correct direction to go east. I have no idea in intervening 4+ decades if newer tracks have eliminated this having to be done.
I do remember a smart ass student telling the conductor as the train was slowing on the bridge that he had left his bag on the platform at the last stop and could we go back so I could retrieve it. The quick thinking conductor caught on (or perhaps this was not the first time someone had said this) and replied loudly to the effect that they usually would not turn the train back for misplaced luggage but would make an exception in this case. Some passengers in the car groaned and glared at me, and a few laughed.
Another memory that is fading with time passing is reading somewhere that at least a few guys would jump on the Lakeshore Limited or maybe it was the Broadway Limited and ride them far enough to get a haircut and a meal in the dining car, then get off and take a train in the other direction to get back home.
Anyways thanks for a fun and interesting video that brought back a great memory.
Thank you for the anecdotes and glad you enjoyed the video! Today, they decouple the locomotives and front four cars of the train from the rest of the train, and that front part heads to Boston without having to reverse.
Good memories of making the trip from Chicago to New York on the LSL.
I recall they offered a (quite late) dinner dining car service back in those days.
Was dinner an option, and you just preferred going to bed? Just curious, as it is a trip iw ould like to make again some time before old age totally sets in for me.
Unfortunately the dining car was closed when we departed Chicago at 9:30pm, so dinner there wasn’t an option. The sleeping car attendant mentioned that the cafe car was open until 11pm (or later, I forget exactly what time she mentioned), and I could get a complimentary drink. I assume they had some snacks for sale too. Happy travels, I hope you’re able to take the LSL again!
@@SightlinesTravel Thank you for the information. I guess, as I remember it, the departure time at the time was more like 6-7 pm and there were two dinner seatings. With the later departure it figures to be too late for dining on board. I opted for second seating, and there turned out to only be two diners, so we were sat together. And my dinner partner was a very peculiar gent who ended up with most of his main course down his shirt front and with no conversation :-) I had some great trips on Amtrak in the 80s and 90s. IT seemed a notch better then, especially when you clicked to have a crack on-board crew. look forward to seeing more of yoru videos having just now discovered yoru channel. FWIW my favorite Amtrak route is the Southwest Chief. Good travels! ---Mike
I often do exactly this trip, in a bedroom to Boston. The cafe car is usually open within minutes of leaving Chicago. Show them your ticket showing that you're in the sleeper, and they'll generally provide a hot meal (I like the cheeseburger) and one alcoholic beverage (I like the wine splits) without charge. Don't forget to tip the cafe attendant!
@@thomasstambaugh5181 You're so right. On my last trip (on the California Zephyr) a fellow diner (who always seemed to be there when I was there) was constantly telling stories demonstrating how wealthy he was, and yet never left a penny of a tip for the entire journey! The cafe & diner personnel really remember those who are grateful & generously show it. It makes a difference on a multi-day trip to the service you experience. I think all Amtrak trips are like buying a lottery ticket: it is the cabin crew that makes it a WIN or LOSE trip.
Thanks for the info, good to know! And I agree that tipping the folks providing service -- cafe attendant, dining car attendants, and sleeping car attendant -- is definitely a good idea.
Personally, even when I have a full bedroom, I use the shared shower since it is roomier and doesn't involve as much contortion working around a toilet.
Yeah, that's a good point, the toilet is in the way when showering. And even running the shower for just a few minutes to do a quick wash/rinse as I did leaves a half-inch or so of water on the floor that's slow to drain and dry.
I heard the Boston section has only one Viewliner I car. Was it upgraded or just an operational change?
I think it's just an operational change. When I took it in early April, the train was:
-Front section (to Boston) - Viewliner II sleeper, cafe, two coaches
-Back section (to New York) - three coaches, Viewliner II diner, two Viewliner I sleepers
Earlier (last year), one of the New York sleepers was usually a Viewliner II, but Amtrak shuffled the equipment, and Amtrak may shuffle the equipment again at any point.
@@SightlinesTravel Thanks for the reply man! Traveling in two weeks fingers crossed🤣
I didn’t know Massachusetts had mountains
I assumed it did after my mom mentioned possibly going on train to take in the sights over in that area in the States. Especially in the Fall season with the leaves starting to change colors 🍃🍂🍁. If we were going to head towards that area better to do it by train instead of flying and basically missing all of the beautiful scenery as a result.
Yes, i wondered as well why you chose the upper bunk when you could have slept "downstairs." -- you are probably young enough that getting up/climbing down in the night for nature's call isn't an issue? i love train travel, and so many of these videos feature the little "rooms" -- i just curl up in my coach seat to sleep but spend most of my time in the observation car or cafe car booths. i'm frugal (starving artist) but still would rather use that extra money to spend at my destination.
Yes, and it was fun to try out the top bunk for a change.
@@SightlinesTravel Heck, I'm old enough to remember my mom and little me, sleeping in the top bunk of a by-god Pullman car, just like the ones in Some Like It Hot!
I bought a ticket for this train, but I am unclear as to what I do. I have an email confirmation with a barcode,but it says THIS IS NOT A TICKET. I am supposed to print out the email at an Amtrak kiosk? I am getting aboard the train in Framingham. Does every station have a kiosk with a printer? What if it is broken? I am afraid of getting there and discovering I am missing the ticket.
You should have gotten an email from etickets@amtrak.com with a PDF attachment. That attachment has the QR code you show to the conductor. Alternatively, you can install the Amtrak app and log in with the same email address and password you used on the website to get the QR code. If neither of those work, I’d suggest calling up Amtrak reservations and they should be able to look up your reservation and tell you what to do. Happy travels!
Thank you very much. I last traveled on Amtrak in 2010, and I think things have changed.
Left out the cost of the ticket.
Your meal looked dreadful -- greasy looking potatoes., Why was the upper berth made up when you are travelling alone? Makes the room smaller. Ticket price?
When the lower bed is made up for sleeping while you're somewhere else, it takes gymnastics to enter the bedroom. There is literally NO space between the edge of the lower berth and the sink. If you're tall, the lower berth has more length. I like to sleep with my head towards the window.
@@thomasstambaugh5181 Superliner Bedrooms are like that. Bad design.
@@randall8379 The superliner bedrooms have more space between the front of the berth and the sink. Even the Viewliner I bedrooms were a little better. This particular "feature" seems limited to the new Viewliner II equipment.
@@thomasstambaugh5181 I've ridden in Superliner and Viewliner I and II Bedrooms. I remember how tight the space was in the Superliner Bedroom between sink and lower berth. I forget just how tight it is in the Viewliner Bedroom. My guess is that the designers aren't experienced in overnight train travel in sleepers.
It was also nice to have the upper bunk made up but still be able sit on the couch (lower bunk) until ready to sleep. And it does seem like the designers of the VL2 sleepers missed some things the VLs had, like a place to store the ladder to the upper bunk. A couple of sleeping car attendants have complained about that.
I've been on the Lake Shore Limited three times, via the New York City to Chicago Union Station route, and vice versa.
People have called it the "Late For Sure Limited". LOL. One time, the train was late and I arrived in Chicago FIVE HOURS LATE! 😳🙄🤦♂️🚆
Yeah, when Amtrak is late, it can be very late. I've had good luck so far.
I actually arrived Chicago 8 hours behind on a Late For Sure Limited back in 2017