Retirement Holiday Information Request

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Gents (and Ladies too for that matter),

My retirement (31st. March, 2012) has been looming for some time, but is now approaching fast.

Mrs. H. has kindly spent hours and hours checking out Tour Operators’ brochures for something special (think journeys by rail in North America for me, and some serious shopping for her) , and yesterday afternoon we went and booked a dream trip involving:-

(1) flying Gatwick to Toronto,

(2) 3 nights at Niagra Falls (Ontario)

(3) Amtrak (the Maple Leaf ??) to New York,

(4) 3 nights in Manhattan, followed by

(5) 7 nights voyage on Queen Mary 2 back to Southampton.

The lady who took our booking was very helpful, but there were some details on which she was unsure, and we’d really appreciate friendly advice from Forum members.

I guess the first day we’ll still be shell shocked after the flight and the time lag, so a day spent just looking at the Falls would hit the spot, but for the second day, would it be possible to ride VIA back to Toronto? Is there a frequent service, do trains run at convenient times, any idea of round trip fares? Any nice places to break the journey, perhaps?

For the Maple Leaf leg of the trip, would the seats be facing in the direction of travel? Would that train be formed of cars offering good visibility all round, or would we need to upgrade? Also, am I right in thinking that the right hand side would offer the best views of the Hudson etc. etc?

In Manhattan, she’s really keen to see Grand Central as well as Macy’s etc, so is there some nice nearby destination suitable for say a morning or afternoon train ride from that terminal?

This has all happened so quickly, I haven’t caught my breath, so any guidance would be especially welcomed.

Hwyl,

Martin

2

I am not an expert on VIA and their service out of Niagra Falls, but that can be found on their web pages. As for trips out of GCT or NYP, I can certainly help…this is what my Ridewithmehenry trips are all about (we drive up to 150 miles from Binghamton, NY to an NJT or MNRR station, then ride trains all over the NY Metropolitan area for the day…it is for fun, we share the gas costs, sometimes I’m treated to dinner, but after train fare, it is all free.) Contact me privately and tell me what dates you will be in NYC, what you want to see concerning local rail…since you’ve already ridden down the Hudson to NYP on the Maple Leaf, then you might want GCT to Wassaic or into CT and Danbury, Waterbury, or New Haven or out of NYP to LI or NJT points. If I can match dates with you I can set up a trip for my friends and we’ll be glad to escort you around.

3

Martin, that sounds like a lovely trip, especially the return to Southampton.

Yes, going down to New York City, you do want to sit on the right side of the car, even though that puts you on the side away from the Mohawk River on your way into Albany-Rensselaer.

I have not checked the VIA schedules lately, but the last time I looked, there was one other train each way between Toronto and Niagara Falls, leaving Niagara Falls in the morning and returning in the evening.

Enjoy your trip!

4

Sounds like a great trip! My inclination is that you have too much time in Niagara Falls and not enough in NYC and Toronto in your itinerary.

My suggestion for the Falls would be to take the train from Toronto in the morning, view the falls from the Canadian side, then go do either the Maid of the Mist boat or the Cave of the Winds, They will let you see the falls close up. Then go view the falls again from the Canadian side at night. You will have had your fill at this point!

You can get the 7:05 train from Niagara Falls, to NYC. It’s a nice trip - perhaps the best in the eastern US. The equipment is Amfleet, which has rather narrow windows (top to bottom), but they are sufficient for sightseeing along the way. Definitely sit on the RH side of the train as you will travel along the Mohawk River and NY State barge canal (successor to the famed Erie Canal) from roughly Syracuse east to Albany. South of Albany all the way to NYC, the train travels along the scenic Hudson River - you still want to keep your seat on the RH side of the train. The trains have business class which feature better seating and service, but not better windows.

The train will weave its way among CSX’s multitude of freight trains between Buffalo and Schenectady, travelling at a top speed of 79 mph. From Schenectady to NYC, it’s pretty much passenger only and the top speed increases to 110 mph, although the curves along the Hudson river generally keep the speeds below 90 mph.

Grand Central Terminal is a wonder. There is a great food court on the lower level if you are there at lunch time. Macy’s is one of the last, great department stores in the US. They have everything! The best way to get between the two is to stroll down 5th Ave. There is lots to see and do in NYC. You won’t be bored! [:)]

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If you are going to New York please let me know. I grew up there and can tell of great sight seeing spots that the tourists do not know about.

Ira

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Yes, Grand Central Terminal is, indeed, a wonder. It has lost some its attraction since Amtrak removed all of its trains that used GCT to Penn Station (you will come into Penn Station when you arrive in NYC), but it is still quite an edifice that serves all of the suburban traffic directly north and east of New York City.

7

You might consider a trip from Penn Station to either New Rochelle or Stamford outbound on one of Amtrak’s Northeast Regional trains and Metro North from either of those stations to Grand Central Terminal inbound. Outbound you will travel over the Hell Gate Bridge, and you can view New York City’s skyline if you sit on the left hand side of the train. Amtrak Northeast Regional trains run approximately hourly while Metro North trains between Stamford or New Rochelle and New York run more frequently.