Today we were told by Amtrak that we will have to take an Amtrak hired bus from Boston to Albany. Then we pick up the train from NY to Chicago in Albany. Anyone have any idea why????????????
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From May 26 to Sept 3 major maintenance on the infrastructure is being performed.
Look up Lake Shore Limited on AMTRAK website for more info
eddie g posted:Today we were told by Amtrak that we will have to take an Amtrak hired bus from Boston to Albany. Then we pick up the train from NY to Chicago in Albany. Anyone have any idea why????????????
Why not contact someone at Amtrak directly and ask them?
They don't have dining service on the bus either. 
Ask for your money back on that portion of trip and drive to Albany ?
Take a regional from BOS to NYC and get on there. Given the "Late Shore Ltd." moniker is usually justified, I'd rather get on at the origin, as opposed to sitting in Albany for who knows how long because the bus dumped you there when the train was supposed to come.
Hotwater, I did contact Amtrak. They said that they didn't know the reason.
ClemK, And what do you do with your car when you get there?
Escaperocks, Thank you. I don't know why Amtrak couldn't tell me that.
From Amtrak's web site. Says nothing about Boston to Albany bus service:
Lake Shore Limited Will Not Operate Between Albany and New York Penn Station
Effective May 26 through September 3, 2018As part of the continuing Infrastructure Renewal at New York Penn Station, Amtrak will perform a series of major track and switch renewal projects that will strengthen railroad infrastructure, operations and preparedness -- and ultimately improve reliability at America’s busiest rail hub. The Infrastructure Renewal work accelerates several years of already planned improvements to track, switch and other infrastructure at Penn Station to improve track conditions.
Due to this major work, Lake Shore Limited trains will not operate between Albany and New York Penn Station from May 26 - Sept. 3, 2018. If you are traveling on the Lake Shore Limited during this time, here are a few things you should know:
Eastbound, Train 48 will not operate between Albany and New York Penn Station. Passengers will be directed to connect to Train 244 at Albany for travel to New York Grand Central Terminal.
Westbound, Train 49 will not operate between New York Penn Station and Albany. Passengers will be directed to travel on Trains 291, 255 or 295 for travel between New York Grand Central Terminal and Albany.
Train 449 will depart Albany 30 minutes later than scheduled with other minor timing adjustments.
Grand Central Terminal Information
- Location: Grand Central Terminal is located about a mile north of Penn Station at 89 E 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10017.
- Transferring between Grand Central Terminal and New York Penn Station: If you are transferring between New York Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal, taxi and local transit are available from both stations, or you can choose to walk. Customers are encouraged to allow extra time if transferring between stations.
- Schedule Change: Note the new arrival and departure times on your ticket. Trains arriving at and departing from Grand Central Terminal will operate on an adjusted schedule. Contact Amtrak for schedule information.
- Customer Assistance: There are several options to assist customers during their travel experience:
- Amtrak personnel will be available at Grand Central Terminal between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm daily, to answer questions and provide information.
- Grand Central Terminal is an accessible station and provides an information kiosk where you can speak with a representative.
- Ticketing Options: Customers can make reservations and obtain eTickets at Amtrak.com, using our free mobile apps, or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245). Your eTickets can be printed at home or displayed on your mobile device.
- Checked Baggage Service is not available at Grand Central Terminal.
- Each customer can bring onboard two personal items, 25 lbs. and 14 x 11 x 7 inches each, and two carry-on items, 50 lbs. and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each, free of charge.
- Get more details on Amtrak’s Baggage Policy at Amtrak.com/baggage.
Customer Information
The following resources are available for all Amtrak customers:
- Amtrak.com/NYPrenewal: Find the latest train schedule information, project overview and updates.
- Amtrak Social Media: Customers can follow @AmtrakNEC and @Amtrak on Twitter for timely information.
- Email or text alerts: Amtrak now offers a new feature that will allow customers to sign up to receive customized texts or emails for train and service information at Amtrak.com/DelayAlerts.
- Amtrak.com and the mobile app: Get train status information, or modify existing reservations.
PSN 0518-112
Rusty
Well now,,,,,,,,,, it appears that Amtrak's own people don't know how to read & comprehend their own web site. Imagine that!
I wonder why Amtrak couldn't just run the Lake Shore into GCT. It sounds as if the Lake Shore customers have a low priority for Amtrak. NH Joe
If I had to guess its due to PTC installation between Boston, Worcester, all the way to Albany on the old Boston and Albany. Weekend service of MBTA in canceled also
I looked at the route map for the lake shore limited. It runs between Chicago and Albany. The train splits in Albany, with one section going to NYC and the other section going to Boston. I don't see why the Boston leg should be affected.
When I went to the Amtrak site, it barely mentions the Boston leg.
None of this seems to make sense, I hope Eddie's trip gets straightened out.
eddie g posted:ClemK, And what do you do with your car when you get there
What where you going to do with your car in Boston ?
I'm sure they have parking there, its a big lot. You could call and find out. You could get there a little early and have dinner before you board.
Clem
According to AMTRAK schedule map and timetable effective May 26 thru Sept 3rd.
The Lake Shore Limited is running From Boston to Chicago. No more side steps to New York during this time.
If you desire to go to New York, you need to get a connector in Albany. Otherwise stay on the train and you'll end up in Chicago.
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Trains run between Albany and NYC frequently. I think they are using Penn Station during a period of track work this spring & summer.
C W Burfle posted:Trains run between Albany and NYC frequently. I think they are using Penn Station during a period of track work this spring & summer.
Yes, that is why it shows a connector transfer now, at Albany, if you desire New York.
The route change is specific to the Lake Shore Limited. You can still get from Boston to Albany, then Albany to New York, it just take s little more jumping around.
Other than That, Boston to Chicago is smooth sailing. Again, look at the schedule I posted above and you can see where Albany picks up again after the connecting train to NY is shown.
ClemK, My son in law is driving my grandson, my daughter and myself to Boston. My new ticket now says Boston to Albany by bus. It will leave So. Station at the same time the train was to leave, but the funny or not so funny thing about the tickets is that it still say's that from Chicago to Boston the Lake Shore Ltd. We are actually going all the way to White Fish, MT. to Glacier National Park then to Yellowstone and then picking up the California Zephyr east bound in Grand Junction, CO
Ok now I understand, I knew it was a big trip.
Clem
Sounds like a country song in the making. Take lots of notes. 
Too bad they did away with the Amtrak Residency artist program.
To bad they did away with the dining car on the Lakeshore !!
eddie g posted:ClemK, My son in law is driving my grandson, my daughter and myself to Boston. My new ticket now says Boston to Albany by bus. It will leave So. Station at the same time the train was to leave, but the funny or not so funny thing about the tickets is that it still say's that from Chicago to Boston the Lake Shore Ltd. We are actually going all the way to White Fish, MT. to Glacier National Park then to Yellowstone and then picking up the California Zephyr east bound in Grand Junction, CO
Good Luck Eddie, sounds like fun. Your brave with all the chaos going on with Amtrak these days, as they try to figure out what their mission is. As suspected, the canceled leg of the Boston segment of the Lake shore is due to PTC installation and CSX track work planned for the summer.
A bit of interesting history...
