Amtrak Guest Rewards - Vermonter: NYPenn -> Amherst MA

I will be going to a meeting in Amherst MA and was wondering on the comfort and on-time performance of the Vermonter.

All comments are most welcome.

You can check on time performance at Amtraks website

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=am%2FLayout&p=1237405732511&cid=1237608335166

Also at

http://www.amtrakdelays.onlineschedulingsoftware.com/

I will be going to a meeting in Amherst MA and was wondering on the comfort and on-time performance of the Vermonter.

All comments are most welcome.

Business class on the vermonter is quite nice - it's usually in the front of the cafe car and is limited to ~12 seats.

I would recommend taking any train to Springfield and taking a taxi from there. The Vermonter leaves Springfield, heading east to Palmer, changes track and reverses direction, and returns northwest to Amherst. The 25 miles between Amherst and Springfield takes over an hour on the train (sometimes almost 2 hours).

I would recommend taking any train to Springfield and taking a taxi from there. The Vermonter leaves Springfield, heading east to Palmer, changes track and reverses direction, and returns northwest to Amherst. The 25 miles between Amherst and Springfield takes over an hour on the train (sometimes almost 2 hours).

Another Alternative: Peter Pan Bus runs a regular daily bus schedule as well, $8.50 one way, includes on board Wifi. Springfield Bus Terminal is about 3 blocks from Springfield Amtrak and the SBT-AMH bus run is about an hour or so.

Another Alternative: Peter Pan Bus runs a regular daily bus schedule as well, $8.50 one way, includes on board Wifi. Springfield Bus Terminal is about 3 blocks from Springfield Amtrak and the SBT-AMH bus run is about an hour or so.

So you would suggest avoiding an hour on the train by getting off the train, walking three blocks, waiting for a bus, paying an additional fare, and riding that for an hour?

So you would suggest avoiding an hour on the train by getting off the train, walking three blocks, waiting for a bus, paying an additional fare, and riding that for an hour?

Fastflyer recommended getting off the train and taking a cab, I suggested a less expensive alternative to the cab.

The actual scheduled run time on the bus is 0:45-0:55, but like the train (scheduled run time 1:05), it could have delays maybe 10-15 min. That bus company will drop you downtown Amherst so the 3 blocks are a wash (AMM is half a mile out of town). If the meeting is on the UMass campus, the bus can also drop you on the campus.

The Vermonter stops @ AMM once day. A train to NYP to SPG and then ground transport (cab or bus) and there may be more flexibility in departure/arrival times.

The Vermonter stops @ AMM once day. A train to NYP to SPG and then ground transport (cab or bus) and there may be more flexibility in departure/arrival times.

That's the key point, really. Amtrak = 1x a day to Amherst or 6x a day to Springfield. If the Vermonter's schedule works well enough for the OP, I don't think it makes a lot of sense to get off in Springfield...but thanks to the info provided here, the OP can use trains other than the Vermonter to get to the meeting.

So you would suggest avoiding an hour on the train by getting off the train, walking three blocks, waiting for a bus, paying an additional fare, and riding that for an hour?

Exactly-See, isn't taking the train easy, relaxing, and rewarding! Adventures in Amtrak! :D

Thanks for all of your comments... I booked a roundtrip in Business Car.

I live in Bern, Switzerland and I am a regular user of the Swiss Railways.
I understand that the Amtrak experience might not be able to match that of the Swiss train system.

Live and learn...

G

I understand that the Amtrak experience might not be able to match that of the Swiss train system.

Sadly this is probably more of an understatement than you could possibly imagine.

Thanks for all of your comments... I booked a roundtrip in Business Car.

I live in Bern, Switzerland and I am a regular user of the Swiss Railways.
I understand that the Amtrak experience might not be able to match that of the Swiss train system.

Live and learn...

G

If you ever have the opportunity to travel West or south from Chicago you will find the experience MUCH different than the Northeast Amtrak experience.
It is almost like 2 different railroads

Just returned to Switzerland... the Amtrak trip turned out to be just fine. Opting for Business Class was the right thing to do... lots more legroom and space to read and use my iPad.

Still find it hard to believe that a trip of only 170 miles takes some 5 hours to complete.

Nevertheless, the train ride was comfortable.

Excellent! Thanks for the update.