I popped for first class on Amtrak's Metroliner between Washington and Newark last night.

The train stopped at New Carrollton (Washington Beltway), Baltimore-Washington International Airport, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton and Metro Park. After I disembarked at Newark, the train continued on to New York's Penn Station.

Seating (wide with substantial legroom) is one across on the left side of the first class car and two-across on the right side. A middle bar separates the front and back sections of the first class car; each section seats about 25 passengers. Fewer than 50% of the seats were filled on a 5 p.m. departure on a Summer Friday.

An attendant immediately served me a complimentary cold beer and bags of pretzels and goldfish when I sat down -- and replenished the beer upon request. A passable hot dinner of roast chicken, mashed potato, veggies and fruit tart followed.

Up front in coach, passengers were mad as heck. The departure was considerably oversold, causing dozens of passengers to stand for the first half of the trip. The conductor continually apologized over the PA and urged affected passengers to file complaints with Amtrak. (I'm thrilled I paid extra for first class.)

Summary: about the same price as air travel between Newark-Washington, door-to-door elapsed time about the same as on-time air travel, seat was comfortable, service was cheerful, food and beverage passable, and some of the river crossings were quite scenic.

I'd do it again, especially with Newark air arrivals and departures subject to delays.

Thanks for trip report! It's great to have the train option, isn't it?

but what about the miles! [actually, i'm killing time while waiting to see what the final info is so i can pick up a delta pax from lga who is late due to storms] in the good old days, early 60's i preferred the train to the eastern! shuttle, from penn sta to dc.

You can join Amtraks' FF program!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/003770.html

Clacko, one of the reasons I elected the train was the thunderstorm forecast for my day of travel. My train was on schedule. Flights to/from Newark were badly delayed, according to one of my flying friends.

sounds good!

As for newark delays - yep, I can attest to Friday's madness. My friend was trying to get back from FLL to SAN, thru EWR. Got as far as EWR, and sat on the tarmac for 2-3 hours. A front which stretched from boston down the eastern seaboard and over to Houston (almost) had all westbound traffic halted.



The train sounds interesting though!

What is this about attendents?!?!? When I went First Class on the Carolinian between Philly and Raleigh a few years ago we had to get our own drinks (RDUGuy is sadly dissapointed )

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Friends don't let friends fly Midway- Ryan

My bad...double post!

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Friends don't let friends fly Midway- Ryan

[This message has been edited by RDU Guy (edited 06-26-2001).]

I assume that this is some funny American brand name - or did they actually give you a goldfish?

;-)

Stephen

I believe that the Metroliner/ Acela trains have service-at-your-seat in First Class. Other Amtrak trains may not. Long distance trains require that you visit the dining car; other East Coast (non-corridor) trains have first class seating near the cafe car, if I recall.

I too got stuck in the flight delay mess in the northeast last weekend. I was scheduled to fly DCA-LGA on Saturday noon (on US Airways). Sat on the plane at DCA for almost 3 hours, then the flight was finally cancelled -- which really threw a wrench in my plans, since I had already made a hotel reservation in NY, and had a theater ticket for 8 pm that night.

After talking with some fellow frustrated passengers, I decided to hop on the metro to Union Station and caught the 4:05 pm Amtrak (Northeast Direct). Arrived in NY at 7:20 pm, just in time to check into my hotel (which thankfully was just a few subway stops from Penn Station), and get to the theater before the lights went down!

I'd definitely take the train again, especially for last-minute trips; maybe next time I'll try first class (thanks for the trip report, 0524) or the Acela. On my return on Sunday night, all the coach cars were overcrowded.

[This message has been edited by skyblue (edited 06-26-2001).]

The Carolinian is not the Metroliner. You were either booked in the old Custom Class or the new Business class. The only perks you get is free drinks, seats with better pitch, and a movie for the looooooooooong trip.

I think that the Carolinian is the only train on the East Coast to offer movies. I think this train originates at NY Penn Station and heads all the way down to Charlotte.

For those taking the Northeast Direct or the Acela regional, the Business class cars are mostly old Metroliner coach cars with the larger seat pitch and the LED status screens.

I've taken the Metroliner coach and the Northeast Direct/Acela Regional Business/Custom class. The Metroliner only shaves off a couple minutes off of your trip. I would only take the train if weather was really going to be an issue.

To me, an hour from DCA to JFK is better than three hours stuck on a train. Now when weather keeps me grounded, I'm the first one to call the EXP desk for a reroute or a refund then dial 1-800-USA-RAIL.

[This message has been edited by SFOJFK (edited 06-27-2001).]

Terrific trip report, 0524.

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish, yummy little cheddar cheese crackers shaped like, well ...