Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)

"I know you cannot check in bags, so we will be hauling our medium sized bags."

Although you cannot check bags on the train on which you will be traveling, you can check bags from NYP (or NWK) to ALB. Checked bags would be carried to ALB on the Lake Shore Limited, and be available after that train arrives in ALB. You can even bring the bags to your departure station a day or two before your trip, and your checked bags should be waiting for you when you arrive at ALB.