Originally Posted by
richmis
Not sure how i's done in DC, but in Philly, there is a private elevator that they take you in that goes directly down to the platform......
Actually there are 4 elevators, which one you use depends on which track the train is going to arrive on. And they aren't exactly private, they are also used by redcaps taking passengers and luggage down from the main station level to the platforms.
In DC, the lounge is situated such that the side doors lead directly to the platforms bypassing the gates where the rest of the passengers are waiting.