First time on Amtrak and first time using Penn/DC/Boston South Station: Acela Express
Feb 16, 2019, 12:23 pm
#31
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 34
No kidding. Lot worse places to spend your time at the station.
Feb 16, 2019, 1:21 pm
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 43
Great, you'll be fine. I would just board from the lower level, without stress. One caveat: the first class car is on one end the train, next to one of the locomotives. When the train is boarding, the Amtrak staff sometimes blocks off that car from the rest of the train--the excuse is that there is a kitchen at one end of the car. So you can't necessarily get on the train anywhere and just walk through the cars to the first class car--it's necessary to actually board the first class car.
Also, please don't judge the US based on Penn Station.
Also, please don't judge the US based on Penn Station.
Is the first class coach usually near the entrance to the platform or the other end of train? Or random?
I look forward to testing that theory out.
Cheers everyone, again! I may seem overly OCD about this, but I like to have a good plan before I go anywhere new with my mother. So all your comments and observations are appreciated.
Feb 16, 2019, 2:35 pm
#33
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
The gates are marked with a track number and either "East" or "West"; for example, gate 8E and gate 8W both open up to staircases that lead to the platform for track 8. The staircases seem to be in the middle of the platform, and the staircases are parallel to the platforms.
Feb 21, 2019, 10:10 am
#34
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: B6, Amtrak, DL, AA, Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 274
The Acela trains are sometimes turned on a loop, other times not, so the first class car can be at either the front end or the rear end of the train. Then additionally, depending on whether you come down an east or west stair/escalator, it can throw off where the front/rear of the train is. Thankfully with assigned first class seating there's no more race to get there to secure the ideal seat (that does still happen in the rest of the train, but at least there's more seats to pick from in Business Class, and less variation).
At least WAS and BOS are simpler - you'll walk to the platform from the rear of the train, so the FC car will either be the first car you come to, or at the other end if the first car encountered is business class.
For the NYP regulars - Are they still allowing priority boarding at NYP for first class passengers? If so, doesn't that make it easier to just board from the main level of station, since you can go ahead of the scrum for the rest of the train? It does mean you have to show your ticket at the top of the escalator, but for someone unfamiliar with the lower level that might be preferable? Asking as I haven't had the "privilege" of enjoying NYP for almost a year, and a while longer since doing it in first.
At least WAS and BOS are simpler - you'll walk to the platform from the rear of the train, so the FC car will either be the first car you come to, or at the other end if the first car encountered is business class.
For the NYP regulars - Are they still allowing priority boarding at NYP for first class passengers? If so, doesn't that make it easier to just board from the main level of station, since you can go ahead of the scrum for the rest of the train? It does mean you have to show your ticket at the top of the escalator, but for someone unfamiliar with the lower level that might be preferable? Asking as I haven't had the "privilege" of enjoying NYP for almost a year, and a while longer since doing it in first.
Feb 21, 2019, 2:48 pm
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 43
The Acela trains are sometimes turned on a loop, other times not, so the first class car can be at either the front end or the rear end of the train. Then additionally, depending on whether you come down an east or west stair/escalator, it can throw off where the front/rear of the train is. Thankfully with assigned first class seating there's no more race to get there to secure the ideal seat (that does still happen in the rest of the train, but at least there's more seats to pick from in Business Class, and less variation).
At least WAS and BOS are simpler - you'll walk to the platform from the rear of the train, so the FC car will either be the first car you come to, or at the other end if the first car encountered is business class.
.
At least WAS and BOS are simpler - you'll walk to the platform from the rear of the train, so the FC car will either be the first car you come to, or at the other end if the first car encountered is business class.
.
Feb 22, 2019, 6:31 am
#36
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
For the NYP regulars - Are they still allowing priority boarding at NYP for first class passengers? If so, doesn't that make it easier to just board from the main level of station, since you can go ahead of the scrum for the rest of the train? It does mean you have to show your ticket at the top of the escalator, but for someone unfamiliar with the lower level that might be preferable? Asking as I haven't had the "privilege" of enjoying NYP for almost a year, and a while longer since doing it in first.
1. Early boarding: you can board from the Acela Dungeon/Lounge, using a redcap. Tips are expected, I think. You board before the boarding announcement is made, so you avoid the crowd.
2. Regular first class boarding: once the boarding announcement is made, when the crowd lines up to board the train, first class boards first, I think. No redcap is needed.
I'd still just get to NYP maybe 15 minutes before departure and board from the lower level. No crowds, no lines, etc.: easy.
Feb 23, 2019, 1:27 pm
#37
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 311
For the NYP regulars - Are they still allowing priority boarding at NYP for first class passengers? If so, doesn't that make it easier to just board from the main level of station, since you can go ahead of the scrum for the rest of the train? It does mean you have to show your ticket at the top of the escalator, but for someone unfamiliar with the lower level that might be preferable? Asking as I haven't had the "privilege" of enjoying NYP for almost a year, and a while longer since doing it in first.
I am not FC or even Acela but I wait in the lounge for the track number then head right on downstairs and board from there. I am usually one of the first few people on the train that way. If I were in Penn Station for the first time, rather than being there every week, I'd do the first thing I mentioned and board from the priority line upstairs. If I had a crew like Rachel has or even just several bags, I'd get a redcap from the lounge.