ESPA Important News about Amtrak in New York State

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Important News

The following are important or breaking news about rail travel within New York State, which was revised on 25 February 2002. For any comments/input or feedback on news items, contact ESPA at ESPA News Feedback.

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AMTRAK WINTER/SPRING DISCOUNTS THROUGH MARCH 14, 2003

Amtrak has announced a new nationwide rail promotion for 25% for travel Also, on many travel routes, two children 2-15 years old travel free with an adult. The discount MUST be booked over the interest and MUST BE RESERVED 5 DAYS in advance of travel and can be made for any travel from now through August 28, 2003. The promotion cannot be used for boarding trains on holiday weekends (Easter Week or Memorial Day weekend or July 4th weekend, which are April 17-21, May 23-27 and July 3-7). Reservations are required, even for parts of your trip that may not ordinarily require reservations and reservations must be made AT LEAST 5 days prior to the day of travel. All tickets purchased are non-refundable. The discount is 25% for tickets purchased (use promotion code "H304") and note that NARP's email about Discount code H302 was incorrect and that code is NOT valid and never was valid. To use code "H304" vist Amtrak's website, which is www.amtrak.com. Note that if your Amtrak travels start at an unstaffed Amtrak station (Yonkers, Croton-Harmon, Poughkeepsie, Amsterdam, Rome, etc), your use of this disount is limited. Discount is valid throughout the Empire Corridor, all the time (Yes, even Fridays and Sundays), except on that part of your travel to/from Canadian destinations. REMEMBER, must book FIVE days in advance of travel.

Offer is NOT valid on Acela Express and Metroliner high-speed service and is NOT valid on the Canadian portion of travel (e.g. Toronto, Montreal) and is NOT valid on any connecting motorcoach service and is NOT valid for the Auto-Train (Lorton, VA to/from Sanford, FL) and is NOT valid for passengers boarding any train on the Northeast Corridor between Washington and Boston between 11am and 11pm on Fridays and Sundays. This offer is valid for business class and sleeping car travel, upon the payment of the applicable additional accommodation charge (not discounted). This discount may not be combined with any other discounts and may not be used for Monthly or 10-Trip tickets. Call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL to make your reservation or visit www.amtrak.com to reserve on-line.

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EMPIRE CORRIDOR USING PENN STATION ONCE AGAIN

After a barge hit the bridge over the Harlem River, between the Bonx and Manhattan during the nights hours of very early Saturday morning, February 8, most Amtrak trains were using Grand Central Terminal and departing about 20-30 minutes later than scheduled, to allow passengers to travel from Penn Station. Also, about 10 trains a day were canceled on February 8, 9, 10, and 11 and the Lake Shore Limited continued to operate each day from Penn Station, using a 27 mile detour over the Hell Gate bridge. On some days, the Toronto Maple Leaf and Adirondack also used this detour. Effective on Wednesday morning, Feburary 12, ALL trains will operate to/from Penn Station, as the bridge was fixed late of Feburary 11.

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LAKE SHORE LIMITED IS OFTEN LATE

The Lake Shore Limted has been usually operating 2-3 hours late during January and February. Please avoid this train for travel within New York State and for travel to/from west of Buffalo, please be aware that this train is likely to be running several hours late. Call Amtrak about 2 hours before your boarding time to plan according and find out how late it is operating.

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EMPIRE CORRIDOR SCHEDULE WILL CHANGE IN APRIL 2003

Amtrak's schedule will change in April, so please refer back here in mid to late March to read about any details of the schedule changes. ESPA is not aware of any train eliminations planned, but the Adirondack and Lake Shore Limited trains, and others may have their schedules changed. Also, note that the operate of the Ethan Allen Express (Trains 291, 293, 294, and 296) are partially subsidized by the state of Vermont and these trains could be eliminated in April if Vermont does not provide funding.

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THANKSGIVING RESERVATIONS - EMPIRE CORRIDOR - ALL RESERVED

From Tuesday, November 26 through Monday, December 2, ALL Empire Corridor trains will be reserved THROUGHOUT, EVEN between ALBANY and NEW YORK. If you wish to board an Empire Corridor train, you MUST have a reservation for a specific train. Yes, this does apply to trains that just operate between Albany and New York. Yes, EVERY train, which includes a 5:10am from Albany or a 10:50pm train from New York. Extra trains have been added on Wed, Nov 27 and Sun, Dec 1. On these days, a train will operate 5 minutes ahead of Trains 281, 283, and 286, to handle the Albany, Hudson, and Rhinecliff passengers. Also, on Sun, Dec 1, a 6:40pm New York departure will serve all stations to Albany. These extra trains ALSO REQUIRE RESERVATIONS. Call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL or reserve your tickets at www.amtrak.com, as some trains will sell out, especially trains to/from Western New York and afternoons train between New York City and Albany on Nov 27 and Dec 1. Against strong advice from ESPA, Amtrak peak fares will be in effect for all travel on all trains throughout the period from November 26 (Tuesday) to December 2 (Monday) on the Empire Corridor.

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Schedule Corrections

Amtrak's Empire Corridor printed schedule has several mistakes. Note, that only a card form of the schedule exists. Most importantly, Train 259, the 4:35pm New York City departure DOES run on Fridays to Albany. The schedule only shows this train operating Mon-Thur. Also, Train 283 DOES require reservations for passengers traveling west of Albany. And, Trains 291, 294, and 296 do NOT have baggage service. These are the trains to/from Rutland and the baggage car was removed in the summer, but the schedule still indicates these trains have a baggage car.

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Amtrak Fall/Winter 30-35% Discount

On November 4, 2002, Amtrak has announced a new nationwide rail promotion for 30-35 percent off regular Amtrak fares. This fare will only be sold through December 13, 2002. It will allow reservations to be made for travel anytime between November 7, 2002 and February 28, 2003. The promotion cannot be used for boarding any trains on the following dates: Nov 26 - Dec 2, 2002 and Dec 19, 2002 through Jan 5, 2003 and Feb 14 - 17, 2003. Reservations are required, even for parts of your trip that may not ordinarily require reservations and reservations must be made at least 3 days prior to the day of travel. All tickets purchased are non-refundable. The discount is 35% for tickets purchased on Amtrak's website (use promotion code "H234") and the discount is 30% for tickets purchased anywhere else (e.g. Amtrak agent, machine, travel agent, etc) and then "H233" should be used. Tickets purchased on Amtrak's website may be picked up at any Amtrak station, any Amtrak ticket machine, or may be mailed to you if tickets are for travel more than 10 days in the future. Up to 2 children (ages 2-15) per adult may travel for one-half of the discounted fare. Note, if your Amtrak travels start at an unstaffed Amtrak station (Yonkers, Croton-Harmon, Poughkeepsie, Amsterdam, or Rome), you cannot pay for your tickets through Amtrak's website and therefore must use the phone and receive the 30% discount. Discount is valid throughout the Empire Corridor, all the time, except on that part of your travel to/from Canadian destinations.

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New Empire Schedules Effective October 27

The Lake Shore Limited (Train 49) to Chicago will be moved 3 hours 45 minutes earlier. It will depart New York daily at 12:45pm, Albany at 3:55pm, Syracuse at 6:41pm, Buffalo at 8:59pm and it will arrive Chicago at 7:00am the following morning. (The section from Boston will depart Boston at 9:50am and be combined at Albany.) This greatly enhances the rail service from Western New York to Chicago, with its evening departures across upstate New York and early morning arrival in Chicago. The eastbound Lake Shore Limited (Train 48) continues with its Chicago departure at 7:45pm and 6:56am Buffalo arrival with the train continuing across New York State and then splitting in Albany with service to both Boston and New York.

In conjunction with the earlier schedule for Train 49, Train 283 (operates from New York City to Niagara Falls), has been moved from 1:45pm to 3:45pm. Train 283 will operate daily and will arrive Syracuse at 8:55pm and Buffalo at 11:00pm.

In conjunction with Train 283 operating later in the afternoon, the late afternoon Friday only Train 289 will no longer operate to Syracuse. This train will now terminate in Albany.

Train 293 will operate Fridays-only to Schenectady, Saratoga Springs and Rutland, Vermont with a New York departure at 5:30pm. It will arrive Saratoga Springs at 8:57pm and Rutland at 10:40pm. On the other days of the week, the train to Rutland continues with its current 2:45pm New York departure. Except on Fridays, the 5:30pm New York departure will terminate in Albany, as it does every day currently.

Train 294 will operate daily, except Sundays, about 4 hours earlier then today and it will depart Rutland at 9:10am, Saratoga Springs at 10:50am and arrive NYP at 2:25pm. On Sundays only, it will depart Rutland at 5:00pm, Saratoga Springs at 6:52pm and arrive New York at 10:45pm.

Train 246, which operates Mondays-Fridays (weekdays), will no longer start from Schenectady at 6:25am. Instead, this train will start from Albany and continue with its current 6:55am departure. ESPA is very much against this change in Train 246 and we are pushing for its reinstatement asap.

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Quiet Cars on the Empire Corridor

Every train departing Albany to New York City between 5am and 10am will have one coach reserved for those passengers who will not be using Cel Phones, beepers, laptop computers, electronic games, or any other device that makes noise. For most trains this will be the rear coach and signs will be posted in the coach that is designated as a Quiet Car. Seating will be first come first served in the coach.

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More Comfortable Coaches

Passengers are encourage to take Train 283 on Saturdays (to Western NY) and Train 288 on Sundays (4:10pm from Buffalo) from Western NY, since these two trains are nearly always a Metroliner consist, which provides more spacious seating with just 60 seats per coach, instead of the 72-84 seats per coach for most other trains. Also, the Adirondack train to/from the Adirondacks and Montreal now features a Metroliner consist each day, which is much better for passengers as this train used to have 40-50 year old coaches that were badly worn and subject to frequent passenger complaints.

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No More Baggage Storage

Penn Station will no longer store bags for you. In the past, a passenger could leave any bags at the Amtrak baggage counter for a nominal fee. After September 11, this service is no longer provided to Amtrak passengers. The only bags that they accepts is baggage that will be checked onto a train and thus the bags will be retrieved by passengers at their final destination. No longer any storage of bags at hotels near Penn Station, which some bellhops would provide. Also, the bag storage area provided by Metro-North in Grand Central Terminal is no longer available.

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Business Class

Passengers wishing to reserve business class for anytime in December on the Empire Corridor, should hurry up, as some dates in December already have all business class seats sold out.

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Sundays - Take Later Train From Western New York

Passengers are encouraged to take Train 288 on Sundays, instead of Train 64, since Train 64 is often delayed at the Canadian border.

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Sunday Evenings - Take Train from Albany to New York

Amtrak has a Sunday evening train from Albany to New York, departing Albany at 6:20pm. Albany, Hudson and Rhinecliff passengers are strongly encouraged to take this new Sunday train and to avoid Train 70 and 64, both of which often are delayed at the US-Canadian border.

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Amtrak to Broadway

Amtrak Broadway Show Packages in New York City include round-trip rail travel in coach from anywhere in New York State to New York City and your Broadway Theatre tickets. If you are traveling from west or north of Albany, the package also includes one night stay at the Hotel Pennsylvania (with hotel tax), located next to Penn Station. Note that for the convenience of Rhinecliff, Hudson, and Albany passengers, Amtrak has a Mon-Thur New York departure at 10:50pm and Fri-Sun departure at 11:50pm from New York City. For more information or reservations call 1-800-250-4989 or your travel agent today.

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Adirondack -- Narrated Tours

Amtrak Train 69, the northbound Adirondack will have narrated tours of the historical sites that the train passes, from Albany north to Westport. This will occur in the lounge car on weekends on the train and may be continued or may have been discontinued, we are not sure at this time.

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New York Metropolitan Lounge

The Metropolitan Lounge in New York's Penn Station now closes at 10:30pm and is no longer available to Empire Service passengers. This lounge is still available to Lake Shore Limited passengers with sleeping car reservations, on the day of travel. Also, if connecting to/from first class on Acela Express service, then the lounge, now called ClubAcela, may be used by passengers.

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Two Turboliners Almost Finished

One Turboliner is currently in the process of being refurbished and another has been finished and may enter serivce in November 2002. They will be used between Albany and New York and between New York and Niagara Falls. They will not be used on trains to Toronto and Montreal. The Turboliners will reach 125mph between Albany and Hudson and 110mph in selected other locations. West of Amsterdam, the top speed will remain 79mph, due to the restrictions of the signal system on the CSX main line trackage.

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Trains to Avoid

Passengers are encouraged to avoid Trains 48 and 49 for rail service in New York State. These trains currently travel to/from Chicago through New York State and are both very unreliable for New York State travel. Recent on-time statistics show these trains are more likely to be more than 2 hours late than they are to be close to on-time. Even when over 5 hours late, Train 49 still provides connections to the trains operating west from Chicago.

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Toronto Maple Leaf

Passengers travelling on Trains 63 and 64 are encouraged to reserve seats early. These trains have been often selling selling out, especially on weekends. Business class on these trains also has been selling out.

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New Cafe Menus

Amtrak has introduced new Cafe Car Menus on Empire Corridor trains. New sandwich items include: Thai Chicken Wrap, Ham and Cheese on Franch baguette, a Garlic and Herb Turkey sandwish, and a Chicken and Mozzarella with roasted red peppers on a French roll. The new menu also has a flame-broiled cheeseburger for more traditional food connoisseurs. The Cafe Latte and Crispy Tortilla Chips have received great reviews.

Salads will be offerred for the first time on Empire Service, including Mediterranean, Nicoise, Turkey Caesar, Chef's, and Spinach salads. They will rotate on a weekly basis, but a fresh garden salad and fresh fruit salad will be available at all times. New snack items include Blue Luna Cafe Salsa with Chips, Crispy Tortilla Chips with a container of median-hot salsa for dipping, Terra Chips (colorful collection of various vegetable chips), and Salsa Reds (Spicy red corn chips). Harry's Premium Sourdough Pretzel Nuggets and two varieties of hand-rolled and baked sourdough sticks - cinnamon and cheddar will be added to the menu. New beverages include Blue Luna Cafe Latte Coffee (a gourmet blend of French roast coffee and milk that will be served cold) and Lipton's natural iced Green Tea with honey. Also, new liquor options include a rotation of various malt Scotch whiskeys and Grand Marnier (orange Cognac), and Bailey's Irish Cream.

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Amtrak Future Plans

Amtrak announced its Network Growth Strategy, which has a few items that would affect New York State. Amtrak's plan, which expands the long distance overnight network, is planned to be implemented gradually between May 31, 2000 and mid-2004. Amtrak plan is vague as to schedules of proposed trains or when the trains may start operating. Note, in 2002, Amtrak has stated that the Network Growth Strategy will not be implemented

Service enhancements affecting New York State include the following: overnight train service between upstate New York and Michigan to Chicago, a split of the New York City to New Orleans Crescent at Meridan, MS to travel to Dallas/Fort Worth, and a new train from New York City to Chicago through Pittsburgh and would travel through eastern Pennsylvania during the night.

Other additions to service include the extension of one Florida train to begin/end in Boston, the split at Jacksonville FL of 1 or 2 trains to also serve the east coast through Daytona Beach, and the operation of the Texas Eagle daily (as of this summer) from Chicago to Texas.

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