The Lake Shore Limited Train stopped at Albany, New York, (2025). (Photo taken by the Author)
Lake Shore Limited Chicago to New York Penn Station
We have taken the Lake Shore Limited many times, but just as far as Syracuse, NY. This time we took it the whole way, and learned much more about the journey. Here are some highlights. You leave Chicago at 10PM, so Fresh-air breaks for smokers, are few and far between, unless you plan for them. Erie, Pennsylvania is the first one after the overnight and it only lasts 6 minutes. If you are allowed to leave the train, stay right by the door. Buffalo, New York is a longer stop, so you can manage to get out of the train, if you need to. If you ever decide to make Buffalo your stop, Niagara Falls is about 30 minutes away, and the Anchor Bar (where Buffalo wings were invented), is still there. Rochester, New York is only 6 minutes, so if you are allowed to leave the train, stay right by the door. A real shame, because their station is right over the Genesee River high falls, which is spectacular to see in person. Over on the right is the Genesee Beer plant. Syracuse, New York is a longer stop. You have almost 15 minutes, so if you want, get out and look around. You are on an elevated area, so you can’t go far, like into the station or anything. A similar situation to Kansas City, on the Southwest Chief, which I highlighted in Part 1 of this series. Utica, New York is a short stop. It looks really nice, in the downtown area, but the 5 minutes they give you, won’t get you far, so stay by the door, if they let you out. Schenectady, New York is a 6-minute stop, so again, stay by the door, if they let you out. Albany, New York is where the Lake Shore Limited adds the passengers from the Boston area, so, it takes a bit of time. Chances are you can go into the station and take a look around. Check with your car attendant, for when you need to be back on the train. That’s it, until you get to Moynihan Train Hall, Penn Station, New York City.
Amtrak #3 The Southwest Chief at Raton, New Mexico, (2025). (Photo taken by the Author)
Traveling by train brings you to places you would never fly to. A long-distance Amtrak Train generally stops each hour along the journey, So when you book travel, from the beginning of the journey (most times Chicago), and the far end destination, you pass through towns and cities along the way. Some of them are small, and you are not allowed to leave the train at all, but others are places where the train crew change, and so they give the passengers a fresh-air break. A few places, they have to refuel the train, and in that case, you may get a half-hour or more, to get out, stretch your legs, and maybe explore the area nearby. An unexpected perk of travel. Always remember that the train will leave without you, so ask your car attendant what time you need to be back on the train. Here are a few unplanned travel destinations that I have been glad to experience, along the way.
The Southwest Chief: Chicago to Los Angeles Galesburg, Illinois is a quick smoke break sometimes. We usually can get off the train, and as long as we stay right by the door, we can take a few photos. We actually used this stop on a journey to California, leaving our original train, to then hop onto the California Zephyr, later in the afternoon. It’s a nice area, and the restaurants in the downtown area are just a quarter mile or so from the station. Glad I knew this area, and saved money, and hours more on the trains, for that one trip. Fort Madison, Iowa is definitely a fresh-air break, though if you are running late, they may shorten it. Being we spent so many breaks in their town, we actually used it as a destination, and booked a room for 3 days, on one journey. They have taxi service, if you need it, and you can walk the riverfront area, if you decide to stay to visit. Kansas City, Missouri is a main transfer point to the Missouri River Runner train to St. Louis, so the train stops there and it is definitely a fresh-air break. If the connecting train is late, you may be there for a bit of time, but I am unsure if I would want to try to get into the station, since it is at a much higher level, than trackside. Ask your train attendant, in regard to that. One time we spent several hours in that station, and it is quite beautiful inside. The neighborhood…not so much. La Junta, Colorado is where a crew change happens, so we get a fresh-air break there. They warn you that you should not attempt to get some food across the street, because you won’t make it back in time (so buyer beware). Otherwise, step out and look at the train. Raton, New Mexico just after the Raton pass, is a high elevation fresh-air break, where a crew change happens. The town is right by the station, so technically you could walk over, but that is definitely not recommended. Albuquerque, New Mexico is a refueling stop, so the train gets serviced, and you can walk off and go into the town. The platform has venders who sell interesting wares, so you might want to check it out. You can then spend some time looking at their station. It is quite nice, and the bathrooms are good, too. There are two stores within walking distance, though I have never had a need to visit them. Gallup, New Mexico is a quick fresh-air break, and if you have the time, it is worth getting out, for a look. The downtown route 66 road, is right there. Flagstaff, Arizona is usually busy, so it is about a 10-minute fresh-air stop. We spent several days there, and being it is the gateway to the Grand Canyon, we rented a car, and drove up to see it. The only problem with it, is the high elevation. Just a warning if you are sensitive to that. Barstow, California is a fresh-air break, if you want to get out, stay right by the door to your car. Fullerton, California is the last fresh-air break, but again, don’t stray far from your door. There are others, Dodge City, Kansas (Crew Change), Kingman, Arizona (Crew Change), Needles, California (Crew Change). But those are in the middle of the night, most times, so they don’t count. Middle of the night station stops are not announced, and chances are you are asleep, and have no idea where you are, if you wake up. As you can see, the train gives you so much more than flying does. Next up, The Lake Shore Limited.
Moynihan Metropolitan Lounge, New York City (2025). Photo by the author.
We recently spent a few hours in the brand-new Moynihan Metropolitan Lounge in Penn Station. Of all the Metropolitan Lounges we have visited over the years, this one is far ahead of the others. Spacing between passengers is very good, and we felt safe, while sitting there.
As to the food, I got a berry scone that was huge, with an iced tea. My Husband got a panini with a bottle of soda. We both enjoyed our lunch. As you can see, the chairs are super comfortable, and there are multiple boards letting you know the status of your train. I highly recommend visiting this lounge, if you are a non-coach passenger, on one of the long distance trains.
The shower area of the Metropolitan Lounge. Photos by author, in 2025.
My Husband and I had booked a journey across the Country, via Amtrak.
Even though we showered half-way through the 2-day trip, we wanted a shower before boarding the Lake Shore Limited. So, we asked the man at the counter, who logged us into the Metropolitan Lounge, how we go about booking a shower. We were asked for our Driver’s License, and in return, we were given the key card to access the shower. It is in the restrooms.
After opening the door, you are given two choices, room 1 or room 2. Mine was room 2, and that is what I used. It has an area with a bench and hangers, to get undressed, and then the shower area, that has a hand-held shower head, and a chair to sit on, if needed. Perfect!
There is also shampoo on the wall, as is the custom today, and towels on the outside bench. They ask you to find the laundry shoot, to discard your used towels (it is in that outer area as you first enter). That’s it!
The photos show that it is very clean and wonderful. As a matter of fact, we used it twice, once going to the East, and once on the return trip West.
Thank you Amtrak, for making a long journey, more manageable.
Inside the Cafe Car of the Lake Shore Limited, (2025). Photo taken by the Author.
I needed to get to my family in New York. I had almost booked a trip by plane, back in January. Then I saw the advanced weather for Los Angeles…70 to 80 mph winds were forecast for the time I was going to be away from my home. I immediately canceled my plans and stayed home, to defend our property from potential fire. It was so bad; we actually packed a “go bag”. A first for me. By the time the whole thing played out, it was deep into Winter, and there was no way I was going to make a journey to the East Coast. So, I sat and waited for Spring, and it did, eventually arrive, as Spring does. On April 2nd, while our President announced tariffs, I booked a trip to the East, on Amtrak. I figured, if I had to go, there would be no better time, since who knows what will disappear due to the fallout from all the tariff wars. First off, it was not cheap. I spent a large amount of money, purchasing Roomettes on 4 trains, and coach on the Wolverine, between Chicago, and Ann Arbor. We both had points in our AGR (Amtrak Guest Rewards) accounts, and I used all of them, figuring that who knows how Amtrak will survive the next few years. It brought the price of two of our trips down a couple of hundred dollars, which I appreciated. All told, I spent in the neighborhood of $4 thousand dollars, for the railroad part of the journey. 2 hotels and a rental car, brought it up to about $4.5 thousand. It was not a cheap trip, by any means. Almost all the food was paid for, minus a few days visiting with members of my family. It took 12 days, in total, which is an almost 2-week journey. It was also the hardest trip for us. 3 days on the train, to get to the East coast, was brutal. We ended up taking a shower at Chicago Union Station, between train journeys. We had about 6 hours, from when our Southwest Chief train arrived, and when our Lakeshore Limited train departed. It worked out very well for us, a very clean, and well-designed shower area. Talk to the person who checks you into the Metropolitan Lounge, for more details on how to schedule one. If I was ever going to go across the entire United States again, I would never take back-to-back trips. It is worth it for your body and health, to break the journey up a bit. The only other time we went from New York to Los Angeles, we spent a day in New Orleans (we had no choice in the matter, since the Sunset Limited only runs 3 times a week). That did help with acclimating back to land. The times I am constantly riding on a train, I find that for a few days, my body acts like it is still on the train. It is a very strange experience, and I wonder how people who work on the trains for a living, handle it. All in all, I am glad I went, but I am very happy to be home again.
Fraser, Colorado, a stop on the California Zephyr. Photo taken in 2024, by the author.
You have decided to book your trip via Amtrak. One of the things that come up in the booking process, is whether you would like to purchase trip interruption insurance from Allianz. As seniors, my Husband and I default to this purchase, because you just never know how your health is going to be, several months in the future. For the rest of you, I want to go through our recent experience with Allianz Claims. We are waiting for our second claim, but one of the two claims we submitted after our 3 train trips, has been received already. We put in a refund for an Uber ride from Van Nuys Station, to Burbank Airport, where our car was. It cost us $32.90, plus a 20% tip, which we did not claim on the Allianz refund request. When the check was deposited directly into my account, it was for $250. They explained that each passenger received $125 each, for not only the charge we paid, but for the inconvenience we experienced. Without even having our original 12-hour delay claim paid to us, yet, we are already serious money ahead. It took them around a week or so to process it. They mention that they are behind due to the two hurricane claims (Helene and Milton) coming through their office right now. The amount charged to each leg of our trip was a very affordable amount of money, around $25. In our case, this was money well spent, and I would do it again, in a heartbeat.
Update: we received the second check, and it is for $200. Not bad at all, for a 12 hour delay, and an expense of $64.40.
Thank you Allianz for the peace of mind you give your travelers.
The Colorado River on the California Zephyr Route. Photo taken in 2024, by the author.
My husband and I watch trains on YouTube every evening. One of the locations we watch is Fort Madison, Iowa. It is on the Southern Transcon, so 80 or so trains a day, pass by. We heard that they have a River and Rail Weekend at the station, and since we had no plans for vacation this year, this was attractive to us. I began by trying to book the trip on Amtrak. The Southwest Chief was easy and I booked us the Roomette. We then wanted to link up with the California Zephyr in Galesburg, Illinois, which is about one hour north of Fort Madison, so since there were no rental cars in Fort Madison, I booked the rental car in Galesburg. It seemed easy for us and we would be back in the afternoon, after our train got into the station, in time for the Hawaiian Luau and arrival of SWC #3 which gets into the station at around 6:30PM. I booked a local Quality Inn, a bit outside the immediate area, but with the rental car, this seemed fine for us. We intended to spend 3 nights there. I then tried to book the California Zephyr, and found out that when all information was placed into the website, it would say that there were no Roomettes available for purchase. I then called Amtrak, and they found out the same thing I did. They said I would have to book coach. I then did that online, and it cost me about $200 for the two of us. We knew we would have to rough-it, by eating our own food, and sleeping on a chair, but for 2 days we figured we would manage. Galesburg to Emeryville, California (outside San Francisco). I then tried to book the Coast Starlight for the final leg of the journey, to get us to Los Angeles. The Amtrak site informed me that I had enough points in my account to purchase a Roomette for the journey, so we did. After 2 days in Coach, we thought it would be a good change for us. I booked a hotel, Hyatt House, right outside the station, for showers and a real bed, to sleep on. We left our car at Burbank Airport, and took the Metrolink train into Union Station, all was well. At the time we were supposed to leave, we were informed there was going to be a 30-minute delay, due to a mechanical issue. Eventually, they brought us up onto the platform and we waited…and waited. After an hour, they took us back to the Metropolitan Lounge, and we waited some more. The total wait ended up being 3 ½ hours late out of Union Station. During the middle of the night, I felt the train stop. Not unusual, but it went on and on. 4 hours later, they got a new crew to drive the train, and off we went again. Now over 7 hours late. It was daytime, so we kept losing time, as many freight trains delayed us more and more. By the time we got to Fort Madison, it was over 11 hours late and 10:30PM at night. No Luau, no rental car, but we had a hotel, so we called a taxi, and they drove us over to the Quality Inn. In the morning, we decided we would take the train up to Galesburg, and get our rental car. We get back to the station and spend some time talking to other railfans, taking photos, and all around having a nice time…except our train was 2 hours late, and thus, too late for our rental car company (which closes at 12PM on Saturday). This delay meant we did not get onto the train, and we canceled the rental car. We were now in taxi land. They had a food truck at the station, so we got a bbq sandwich that we split, for lunch. We had a river cruise scheduled at 2PM, and we walked from the station to the marina. Made it in plenty of time and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Highly recommend this, if you ever decide to go to the River and Rail event. The marina is right next to the Turnwater restaurant, and we went to dinner there. Bar food basically, but we enjoyed watching the boats and trains as we ate. The drinks were good, too. Back at the hotel, we had a late dessert at the restaurant across the parking lot. The desserts were huge, but very good. That boded well for the next night’s dinner. Sunday we did our laundry, and used the free breakfast to also give us a free bagel lunch. We were carrying food with us, so we added chips and dessert to lunch. For dinner we walked across the parking lot to the Buffalo61 restaurant for dinner. The burgers were OK, but I had onion rings and they were just fine. Unfortunately, we did not go anywhere that day. So, no River and Rail events. Monday morning, we rode the train up to Galesburg. We brought another bagel lunch with us and sat at the station watching trains and resting. When dinner time was coming I ended up walking to a restaurant called Landmark Café and Creperie. Excellent food (a turkey sandwich on sourdough), which we augmented with our chips and their strawberries. I would love to return to this restaurant someday. The crepes look excellent. At 4:45PM our train came, and off we went. Our lower-level coach car was filled, though several people left almost immediately at the next station, so we ended up in the final seats at the end of the car. Not perfect, but the best we would get. Nighttime came and we slept OK, but not great. Tuesday arrived, and there was Denver, Colorado. This begins the most wonderful part of the journey, the Rocky Mountains. We found out that they have to give out passes for passengers who want to spend time in the Sightseer Lounge. We decided to go with the view we had, and after going to the Café Car part of the lounge, I was glad I did. It was packed with people trying to get photos of the Colorado River. Thankfully for us, the train crosses over it about half way through the journey, so both sides of the train get views of the river. Sometimes you can see river rafts going through the rapids, and other times, wildlife enjoying their lives. We spent most of the day in Colorado, and then off to Utah, and bed. The chair was even worse the second night, but we survived and woke up in Nevada, by morning. Wednesday is basically the Donner Pass area of California. Again, it is a must-see part of the journey, with a totally different look to it, then what we passed in Colorado. We had our final lunch at the Café Car, a Nathan’s Hot Dog and a drink. We congratulated ourselves from making it through the 2 days of the Coach Car, and got ready to de-train in Emeryville, California. The hotel worked out just fine, but the food in the bar was bar food. Let the buyer beware. About a half block down from the hotel, is a food court called Public Market. We believe we would have had a better meal, if we had made the effort to walk over to it. Otherwise, showers, and an early bedtime, were a welcome comfort. Thursday we woke up early and had breakfast at the hotel, though we could have had something on the train (so they said). Our train was on-time, and off we went to Los Angeles. Once again we were treated like royalty, but we had to sit with other passengers for meals, which I hate to do. The first couple were OK, the second couple were not OK. Sigh… We finally got to Van Nuys, and the next station stop (early) was ours, Burbank. We got down to the lower level, and got our luggage together. We were ready, when the train stopped. We were told it was police activity on the tracks, and it went on and on. Finally, after an hour or so, they backed the train up to Van Nuys, and we decided to Uber our way to the Burbank airport parking lot. Thus, ended our journey. Not totally good, but not totally bad, either As to COVID-19 protocols, we did mask the entire way, in Coach, on the California Zephyr. When appropriate, we masked at other times. So far, no illness has occurred to either of us. May it stay that way.
I was reading an article in the Los Angeles Times, in regard to the latest COVID-19 variant, FLiRT. The bottom of the article, spoke to me and to the way I travel by train (or airplane).
“Chin-Hong said that even healthcare workers need to be reminded of proper COVID infection control protocols, like the importance of testing when you feel sick, and reporting your illness to your employer.
“It’s like everybody seems to be thinking COVID is just like normal now,” Chin-Hong said. But taking sensible measures — like coworkers deciding to not go into work when sick, and testing themselves when symptomatic — can make a world of difference in keeping COVID limited to a smaller number of people.
And with COVID rising, it’s also a reminder that it’s sensible to keep a mask in your pocket to don, if you happen to be near an ill person, Chin-Hong said.”
Back to me: I always keep a mask on me when leaving the house, I try not to overuse it, but if I am not feeling safe, I always have it available. I am especially worried when using public restrooms, while traveling. A mask doesn’t hurt me, and I feel safer in that environment. Every time I make an exception, I have ended up with COVID-19, so I do try to make as few of them as possible. It is still a scary world out there. Travel, but travel as safe as you can.
*Quotes are from the article ‘Playing COVID roulette’: Some infected by FLiRT variants report their most unpleasant symptoms yet by Journalist Rong-Gong Lin II
This website was created as a part of my Master’s Degree in Strategic Communication. As of February, of 2024, I have achieved my goal and received my Master’s. A very happy state of affairs for me. I immediately decided to make a trip to the East Coast, and picked up my son in Detroit, on the way over. That involved 4 flights for me, a new record, post pandemic. Some of them I traveled alone, and others I traveled with my son. After surviving this journey, I have decided to continue riding Amtrak, if possible. The way you are treated by the airports, airlines, and the flying public, make it the most inhospitable environment, and a real turn-off to a vacation. A calm journey via train, is so much better (if no major problems are encountered), and you arrive home rested and happy to have made the journey. How many times do you remember with fondness an airline flight, the people you meet, or the staff who “serve” you? I go with never. I will mention that certain times of the year, are more prone to problems on trains, but the bottom line is: trains run 24/7 365 days of the year. They know how to keep the Country running, tornadoes, hurricanes, snow, ice, heat, extreme weather, yes, the railroads will get you to your destination…eventually. I will continue to update this blog, as I travel by train, and give hints for doing so safely. Covid-19 is still out there, and those hints within this blog still work. Who wants to come home from a vacation, sick, or give Covid to family and even strangers? I certainly don’t. A little prevention, is worth it. Hope to see you sometime, riding the rails.
Due to a forecast with a heavy snow storm, and potential avalanches along the route, Burlington Northern Santa Fe closed the Northern Transcon to all traffic, including Amtrak.
This meant that the Empire Builder trains that were traveling both east and west were combined in Glasgow, Montana into one large train and sent east to Chicago.
It ended up being a train with 6 engines (BNSF requires at least 2 engines when going through snow country) a baggage car, 16 passenger (and dining) cars and then another baggage car trailing.
The photo screenshot was taken at a camera along the Northern Transcon route, at Verndale, Minnesota. New engine 304 leading the pack.
A pretty impressive sight to see.
I was glad to hear that passenger safety was taken into account, and they turned the westbound train around, when the situation deteriorated.
Chicago is a better place to deal with getting back to where you need to be, rather than in avalanche country in Montana.
