Lake Shore Limited Round Trip, Buffalo-Boston and Downeaster Round Trip
April 2002
by
My wife and I traveled from Buffalo (Depew
station) on the Lake Shore Limited #448 (which was real
close to on-time) to Boston, Mass. We had a sleeper and the
diner was one which was just rebuilt, with 5 stools at a
counter by the kitchen and then the tables. Good food and
service, but busy. We arrived at South Station and took the
Orange and then the Green T-subway line to our hotel on
Commonwealth Ave.
South station looked great with all the food establishments
etc. Still a lot of construction from the "Big Dig".
In the morning we rode the "T" Green line to North Station
and at the North Station/Fleet Center got on train 681, the
new Downeaster, it was right on time and excellent staff,
and very polite. The stations that are being rebuilt or
built and the ones that are completed are nice and show that
the community was involved. At one stop in New Hampshire
two mounted police in full dress uniforms met the train. The
train cafe Attendant said this happens quite frequently,
good PR. We were in Business class and treated real well. We
arrived at Portland right on time.
Portland and all the restaurants was a great experience and
we lucked out, the weather was 50 for 2 of the 3 days.
Holiday Inn picks up at the Amtrak station.
We left Portland, ME on April 5th on train 682. It had
Genesis power on the front and back, instead of one with a
Cab car, which we went up on. All was on time. We arrived
in Boston on time at North Station. We took the "T" Orange
line to South station.
Went in the new Acela lounge. Real nice, except now, since
Sept 11th they will not let you leave anything in the lounge
while you walk around the station.
We left on #449 on time. The Red Cap had the sleeper people
board early if you wanted to. We had a standard room this
time (a deluxe on the way up from Buffalo). Good ride to
Albany, where we picked up #49 from NYC and mail and
Roadrailer cars -- this took a while.
The new Albany station is almost done and looks good. We
arrived at Depew Station about 20 minutes late. Overall an
excellent trip with good staff and good meal attendants. We
had free food in the Cafe car Boston to Albany, and when the
diner was put on, we ate supper at 8PM. Again the trains
were all full.
