Originally Posted by
IADCAflyer
Amtrak has definitely taken a bite out of the WAS-NYC and NYC-BOS markets - moreso the WAS-NYC market. Acela is 3 hours gate to gate from Union Station to Penn Station and puts you downtown on both ends. WAS-BOS on Acela is 7 hours. The difference in time makes train travel unappealing when "shuttle" is 90 minutes.
I second this. As someone who lives in DC, it's easier and quicker (relative to waiting to board, passing security etc.) taking the Acela than taking a short shuttle. Sometime roundtrips via Acela are also cheaper and my employer prefers this over paying to a flight.