Since I was young I have always been fascinated by planes, trains and automobiles.  I have been lucky to experience a fair amount of travel by plane and car but very little by train.  In fact the entirety of my experience with trains has been in the northeast corridor of the United States and the south and central parts of England,  none of which offer a long distance train experience.
     We had an upcoming trip to Chicago planned and I had read on line that a sleeper car had been added to Amtrak train 449 from Boston to Albany that continued to Chicago with train 49 from New York.  I thought it would be the perfect test to see if we would like long distance train travel on Amtrak.  The train conveniently left Boston at 11:55am and got into Chicago the next day at 9:45am.

Timetable

August 14th, 2009

     We arrived at South Station in Boston at about 11:00.  It was a beautiful day for travel and I was very excited to try out  a long distance Amtrak train especially in a sleeping car.


     At 11:45 we were told by the friendly lounge attendant that it was time to board and our train would be leaving from Track 10.  Their were a couple of ticket checks between the entrance to the platform and our assigned car,  the second of which we inadvertently missed, leading to a reprimand from the surly conductor.  He tried to become more friendly during our brief conversation but you could tell it was taking him all the effort he could muster.  Ahh the love of Amtrak.

Amtrak 449 Getting Ready for Departure from Track 10

     After Worcester, MA we were served lunch in the Dinette car.  Lunch consisted of the choice of two cold options, asparagus salad or a chicken sandwich.  We both chose the chicken sandwich.  This train does not have a proper dining car at the moment.  The word is that it will receive what is currently on the New York-Chicago train when that train receives a full dinning car in November.  More on what that car is like to come.

Lunch on the Lake Shore Limited Train 449

Dessert Was the Best Part:  Very Nice Chocolate Mousse.

     We were scheduled to make a 5 minute stop at Springfield, MA.  I was warned we would be leaving as soon as we got all the passengers and luggage on board by our car attendant because we were running late.  I did get a minute or two to snap some photos.


Luggage Being Loaded on Amtrak 449 at Springfield, MA

     As we departed Springfield, MA we crossed over the Connecticut River heading west for Albany, NY


Connecticut River Springfield, MA

     We made a brief stop in Pittsfield, MA on our way to Albany.  The train may well be the only public transportation option for the people of Pittsfield.  A number of passengers from Boston departed one of the coaches here.  We arrived into Albany, NY about 30 min early at 5:00pm.  Our train had to be pulled ahead of the station to link up with the back of train number 49 arriving from New York, NY.  We took this opportunity to get off the train to take some photos, stretch our legs and purchase some refreshments.


The Dinette Car in Albany.  This is Where We had Lunch Earlier.


Our Sleeper Car from the Overpass at the Albany Train Station,


Our train from Boston Backing up to Attach to the NYC Train.

     Once the trains were hitched together we re boarded our car.  The attendant came around and told us we would all be going to the dinner car in 20 minutes.  Around 7:00pm he came around and we all made the long walk back to the Dinner Lite car that had come from New York.  These cars do not have real ranges like you would find on the traditional Heritage Car Diners that Amtrak operates on most long distance trains.  Instead the cars use convection ovens similar to those on an airplane to heat the prepackaged food.  It isn't as bad as it sounds and the quality was on par with a good domestic first class airline meal and maybe even a little better.


First Course was a Salad and Hot Dinner Roll.


The Beef Dinner Option

     I enjoyed both the courses.  The steak was more like a pot roast, but it tasted very good and was moist.  The potatoes I thought were extremely salty, but the vegetables tasted better than they looked.  The staff were very accommodating even though they didn't have much to work with.
     Once dinner commenced we went back to our car and relaxed for a few hours.  Around 11:00pm our attendant came around to convert our room from day mode to night mode.  The beds weren't the softest, so if you like a firm mattress you will be right at home on this train. 

August 15th, 2009

      I slept for about 4 or 5 hours. When I awoke I had a view of the sun coming up over the Midwestern prairies, it was quite pretty.  After some dozing we got dressed and went back to the Dinner Car for breakfast.  We both had different selections for the first time on this train.


Egg Breakfast with OJ and Coffee


French Toast with Water

    I can only speak for the French Toast.  It was very dry but once you added some butter and maple syrup it was warm and tasty.  We both had the option of bacon or sausage as well, but passed because the meats smelled a little odd.     
     After breakfast we took showers.  There is a shared shower for the car, but I think we were the only ones that used it.  It was quite tricky to balance when the train got up to speed.  However, I was certainly refreshed and it was well worth the effort.  We arrived in Chicago shortly there after 30 min late at about 10:15am
     The trip was certainly a journey as Amtrak likes to advertise on their brochures.  Overall I enjoyed myself, but it does require a lot of extra time.  In this case we had to take an extra day off of work to take the train.  If you have the time I suggest you try it.  The Lake Shore Limited is the perfect trip length for ones first long distance trip with Amtrak.  

Four wide with these Formula 2000 Cars

We went out to Fan Pier  to see the boats from the Volvo Ocean Race which are getting ready for the last transoceanic crossing from Boston to Glasgow during their race around the world.

Video Here

     David was at work all week in Philadelphia so we decided to meet in DC and spend the weekend there.  It was Passport DC Week Embassy Open House on Saturday, so that was on the to do list.  We also wanted to see the International Spy Museum.  Unfortunately the skies were gray and rainy but we made the best of it.



Low Lighting Conditions at the Jefferson Memorial



Government Personal Transport Carrier Model VH-60N or Similar Inbound After Crossing into D.C. over the Potomac



Here I am in the Thai Embassy with Lots of Melons

Check it out we will get more videos up as the ski season continues.

We just returned back from a wonderful week in Hawaii.  Check out some of our pictures here and there are a lot more on David's Blog.  Click the link on the left hand side!

     This Labor Day weekend David and I went out to Las Vegas.  It was his first time there so I had a good time showing him around.  Of coarse I hadn't been there in a couple of years and noticed a lot of new stuff myself.  We have been working on accumulating Hilton points so we booked a really cheap rate at the Las Vegas Hilton (if you follow the link we avoided seeing Barry).  We did see the Cirque du Sole show at Treasure Island and although pricey it was fantastic. 
     Gambling wise between some video blackjack to get me warmed up the first day, the blackjack tables and craps the last night I made about $50-$100, not bad.  Of coarse I spent a lot more then that at the various casino bar's we visited .  Another highlight was the Star Trek Experience we actually caught it the last weekend it would be open ever.  Fun! Fun!



Here is me in Quark's Bar at the LV Hilton Star Trek Experience.

       I had heard great things about downtown Portland and I had wanted to check it out this summer.  I particuarly wanted to try out Amtrak's Downeaster Service between Boston and Portland as our means of transport.  The route has become fairly popular and as increased subsidy from the state of Maine makes up for the drop in federal subsidy this year the question remains.  Will it ever be able to stand alone financially?



Amfleet I Train Set After Arrival into Portland