I’ve got to ride the Cresent from Atl. to D.C. in January, and had some questions about riding Amtrak. What type of meals (if any) do they serve nowadays? Also, how do you claim your luggage after you’ve gotten off. (i.e., do you go to a luggage carousel, or do you stand by the train, and wait for them to unload it?) Since I’m accustomed to airplane travel, this is kinda new to me; so any help would be appreciated.
anb740
According to the Amtrak timetable, the Cresent has full meal service. Since this train continues up the Northeast Corridor to NYC, I don’t think they use Superliner equipment, so you may have a Heritage Dining Car or possibly a converted Amfleet car. You will probably be offered a restaurant type meal, but a smaller number of selections than you’d find in a regular restaurant. I rode the Empire Builder last year and the food on board was excellent.
If you’re used to claiming your luggage at the airport, the baggage claim at Washington Union Station is very similar.
Also, since this is an overnight trip, have you made reservations for the Sleeping Car, or are you going Coach?
I’m going coach on this one. The sleeping rooms range from $372-507. I don’t need to sleep in comfort that bad! This train doesn’t depart Atlanta until a little after 8pm, so I guess it depends on when they serve supper as to whether or not I’ll get to partake in it.
The Crescent has a Heritage diner. The food and service are pretty good. I think you should be able to get meal after boarding in Atlanta, if the train isn’t too late arriving. You can always opt for a sandwich from the lounge car. Or, there is is Publix or Kroger (I don’t remember which) diagonally accross the street from the Altanta station where you can buy a deli sandwich.
Based on my personal experience on the Empire Builder earlier this year, if you are thinking of getting a snack in the snak bar area, make sure it is early in the trip so they have a good selection left…and, for God’s sake, don’t take the bratwurst…they are terrible!
For me, I can’t stand coach for a 12+ hour trip. I get the sleeper for al overnight trips, and possible overight trips due to late trains etc.
I went to Maine by coach from Missouri, fun, but I had to sleep that off once I got there. But, that’s what vacation is for. Unless you have checked baggage, there is no real “baggage claim”. Either grab it on the way out of your seat or out of the luggage racks at the end of the car, depending on equipment. At some places like Chicago, they will set the luggage out of the racks out on the platform for claim.
How is the ride on the Cresent as far as service, cleanliness, food quality, etc.? I’ve never ridden any Amtrak trains but have considered taking the Cresent from Spartanburg, SC up to New York for a vacation, and was wondering if anyone can share their experience on how it was. How does it compare with flying, besides the obvious much longer time to travel?
The Amfleet II coaches on the Crescent have seats similar in size to first class on an airplane but with a lot more leg room and they recline much further, too. They also have a leg rest that’s attached to the front edge of the seat bottom cushion to help make it comfortable to attempt sleep. They also have drop down tray tables, pouches in the seat back and overhead reading lights. The heating and airconditioning work well. The only complaints I have about Amfleet are that in the bitter cold north, the floor can get cold and in the summer, the AC can make it chilly, even on the warmest days.
The coaches are fairly clean, but will have had a full day+ in service out of New Orleans before you get on in Spartanburg. So, cleanliness will depend a good bit on how well the car attendant cleaned it up in Atlanta - where a good bit of the train’s population turns over.
One peculiarity of the Crescent is that the car attendant will assign you a seat. I’ve never seen this done on other Amtrak LD trains, but I haven’t ridden them all! You do want to try to get a seat closer to the middle of the car than the end - the ride is better.
The diner food is good, not great. The service is good. The prices are a bit high, but not outrageous. Think “Applebees inside a major airport”. The best part is they seat you with other people and you usually wind up having interesting conversations. IMHO, eating in the diner is just about the best part of riding on the train. The lounge car has sandwiches and other snacks - a bit pricey but not outrageous. The lounge also has tables to sit at to eat, work or play cards.
The train will go 60-70 mph for long stretches with some dashes up to 79 mph here and there. On the NEC the train will boogie up past 100 mph. The scenery is decent in VA, and believe it or not, through Maryland and Delaware on the NEC - nice
If the train happens to have a Heritage Fleet lounge car, relax in it for a while. The riding qualities are better than in the Amfleet II cars.