12 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

Amtrak news release:

 

Amtrak Ready and Prepared for Thanksgiving Travel

 

• November 8, 2017

 

Plan ahead and avoid the rush

 

 

WASHINGTON – The Thanksgiving travel season will soon be underway and Amtrak and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) are prepared to accommodate additional customers traveling on the Northeast Regional during the busiest travel week of the year. Tickets sell out quickly, so customers are encouraged to plan ahead and book reservations early.

 

New this year is Northeast Regional service to and from Roanoke. The Northeast Regional provides a same-seat trip from Norfolk, Newport News, Richmond, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and now Roanoke to as far north as Boston.

 

Customers departing from Richmond’s Staple Mills Road Station are encouraged to allow for extra travel time as parking is limited. A construction project to expand parking at the station is in progress. If possible, customers should plan to be dropped off and picked up.

 

Last year, Amtrak carried 760,755 customers throughout its national network during the Thanksgiving travel period. Similar customer counts are anticipated this year.

 

Tips to ensure a smooth trip:

• Purchasing Tickets: Customers can purchase tickets by visiting com or calling 800-USA-RAIL, or at Quik-Trak^SM ticket kiosks, ticket windows at staffed stations (where available), or Amtrak mobile apps.

• Avoid the Rush, Arrive Early: The busiest travel days are the Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday of Thanksgiving week. Morning trains typically have more availability. Customers are encouraged to arrive 45 minutes before departure, especially if picking up tickets.

• Enhanced Experience: Trains feature free Wi-Fi, the freedom to always use electronic devices (no “airplane mode”), large spacious seats, ample leg room and no middle seat.

• 2+2 = Free: Amtrak has the friendliest baggage policy in the travel industry. Customers can bring two bags and two carry-ons, up to 150 pounds collectively, for free!

• Travel with Your Furry Friend: For only $25, cats and small dogs (20 pounds or less) are welcome for trips up to seven hours on most routes.

• Check Train Schedules: Check holiday train schedules and status before arriving at the station on Amtrak.com, Track Your Train, or Amtrak mobile apps.

• Carry Photo ID: Customers are required to show valid photo identification when purchasing tickets and carry valid photo ID at all times aboard trains.

• Safety First: If you see something, say something.  Report any suspicious activity or unattended items to an Amtrak employee or member of the Amtrak Police Department at (800) 331-0008, by calling 911, or by sending a text to APD11 from a smartphone, or to 27311 from a standard cell phone.

 

 

[KevinKorell]

So buried in the above press releases are links to Amtrak's clunky new website format, which you then have to navigate to actually find the schedules.  Here, as a public service, are the links you need to see the Thanksgiving timetables.  I was waiting for the last shoe to drop, that is, an Empire Service schedule for this period.
 
Northeast Corridor
Keystone Service
Empire Service
Michigan Service
Illinois Service

 

I believe that the Cascades Corridor also gets extra trains each year, so perhaps those can be added to this list at a later date.

[Lightning]

Thanks, Kevin, for mentioning our Cascades.  In recent years there have been additional movements for Thanksgiving, but they seemed to be dwindling in number (I think just one additional train in each direction the past two years, two trains in years before that).  Looks like there might not be any at all this year , as announcements were made well before today's date in previous years.