Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
train usually means it operates at a different time on weekends.
I've given a few of the major stops along the route, but not all;
you can go online at www.amtrak.com and click on “Routes” for
maps and more detailed information about specific trains.
You can also access current timetables on the Amtrak Web
site. They will provide the mileage from each train's point of ori-
gin to each of the stops along the way. You may notice that some
trains take longer to travel in one direction than they do on their
return trip, even though they're covering exactly the same route.
There can be several reasons for that apparent discrepancy: a
long grade that takes more time on the uphill run, more freight
traffic encountered on the trip because it operates at a different
time of day, or padding in the schedule.
I've also tried to tell you something about each trip's scenery
and anything else that may make the trip different or interesting.
In some cases, I'll tell you whether you'll see more or better scen-
ery when traveling in one direction on a certain route as opposed
to the other. This can indeed be the case: since a train may pass
through a particularly scenic area during daylight hours when
traveling in one direction, it may pass through that same stretch at
night on its return trip. Occasionally I'll note from which side of
the train you can best see special points of interest or particularly
scenic areas. Between New York City and Albany, for instance,
the westbound Lake Shore Limited travels for more than two
hours along the east bank of the Hudson River. But if you're in a
roomette on the right side of the train, you might never realize it.
Of course, if you're traveling in the opposite direction—that is,
eastbound toward New York City—the river will be on the right
side. If you're riding in coach, you'll be able to see out of both
sides of the train, but you'll still probably prefer to grab a seat on
the side where the great scenery will be.
Please remember that both Amtrak and VIA issue new time-
tables regularly. There are always changes, and they are not nec-
Search WWH ::
Custom Search