Amtrak Celebrity Sightings

I know...sounds like a bit of a parody...but since the airlines boards have them, why not one here.

I'll get it started...

7/25 -- Henry Kissinger, NYC Club Acela / 7pm NYC-WAS Acela First

His assistant was checking in at the club in front of me. When asked if he had a guest, he said 'Dr. Kissinger will be coming shortly.'

Soon after one of the fatigue-dressed mps that sometimes hovers Penn Station came in...assistant ran out, and came back in with Kissinger and two station cops.

He grabbed some water and chips...went to the back corner and waited by himself just looking at nothing. His asst and the cops blocked the way toward him, so he was isolated.

6/24 -- Gabe Pressman, WNBC TV
Didn't recognize him, but the conductor was overly excited for a local face...

I saw Senator Biden once.

Saw Martin Short in the NY Club Acela.

June 2005, Boston's Back Bay to New York Penn, Acela First Class.

Senator Tom Carper

I have a friend who saw Jesse Jackson

Hall of Fame Orioles pitcher Jim Palmer, Acela First BWI-NYC today.

On his way to cover a game in NY...busy reading up on the player profiles.

Henry Winkler on Acela Express from BOS-NYP First Class back in 2001 (Don't remember the Train #)

Acela Express 2164, Boston bound today. Sam Waterston (Jack McCoy of Law & Order) just got on in NY.

I love Jack...so jealous!

Acela is for fair-weather celebrity riders! I dined with Gene Shallitt (not sure of spelling) on the Lake Shore Limited in April '07 . (It wasn't a meal, but it was a very brief chat during the LSL's departure reception).

He traveled from Chicago to Albany and seemed to be a fairly regular rider. He seemed familiar with the diner crew and Albany station staff.

Larry David on Acela business class