Bayonne Cape Liberty is a go for SEPT 5 -so far!

[Jimbo]

18 minutes ago, njkruzer said:

When we lived in NJ and our daughter lived in Richmond we took the train on a Friday after work.  7 hrs. Direct but made several stops where people could get on. The first stop where people could get off was Richmond. 

Okay I see it's Amtrak, but stops are short and there are maybe 10 to 15 along the way.........so what would you do with your luggage? try carrying it on and put maybe 2 regular size suit cases and a garment bag in the row behind you?

[livinginyellow]

Just now, Jimbo said:

Okay I see it's Amtrak, but stops are short and there are maybe 10 to 15 along the way.........so what would you do with your luggage? try carrying it on and put maybe 2 regular size suit cases and a garment bag in the row behind you?

If you can lift it, the baggage portion of riding on Amtrak is really, really easy! 

[Jimbo]

Just now, livinginyellow said:

If you can lift it, the baggage portion of riding on Amtrak is really, really easy! 

Oh we can lift it, just wonder where you store it for that long of a ride without it being in the way or taking up seats?

[livinginyellow]

1 minute ago, Jimbo said:

Oh we can lift it, just wonder where you store it for that long of a ride without it being in the way or taking up seats?

Well that's what I am saying - there are luggage receptacles above your head. So it wouldn't be in the way at all.

[BND]

5 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Okay I see it's Amtrak, but stops are short and there are maybe 10 to 15 along the way.........so what would you do with your luggage? try carrying it on and put maybe 2 regular size suit cases and a garment bag in the row behind you?

We always take Amtrak from DC to NJ.  There are luggage racks at the end of the cars.  We usually get a red cap to load us, but we've done it by ourselves also.  We usually take 3 med size (28") bags and a backpack/computer tote each.  And, we usually add a few days in NYC also.  Not sure what you mean about garment bag in the row behind you.  The row behind you is seats or a wall if you're in the last row.  

 

Also, there are some routes with fewer stops than others.  It just depends. You can look at each route and see where they stop.  We like the Acela.

Edited July 1, 2021 by BND

[njkruzer]

7 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Okay I see it's Amtrak, but stops are short and there are maybe 10 to 15 along the way.........so what would you do with your luggage? try carrying it on and put maybe 2 regular size suit cases and a garment bag in the row behind you?

When we took the train they actually checked the luggage before we boarded and gave it back to when we got us in Richmond.   Didn't have to watch it when we went to dining car.

[BND]

1 minute ago, njkruzer said:

When we took the train they actually checked the luggage before we boarded and gave it back to when we got us in Richmond.   Didn't have to watch it when we went to dining car.

There is no luggage service from DC to NJ.  NE corridor routes do not provide it.  Since you were on a route to Richmond, you did have it.  

[billslowsky]

Often the redcap (if there is one) can help find a spot for you.

[BND]

11 minutes ago, billslowsky said:

Often the redcap (if there is one) can help find a spot for you.

I mentioned above that we use them.  In DC and NYC.  We don't mind taking the train into Newark because we get off the train and go straight to the hotel.  But we don't particularly like the Newark train station for return, so we get a car service to Penn in NYC.  Distance isn't that much different anyway and a lot of times we are spending time in NYC after the cruise anyway.  Not every station has redcaps, but they're worth the tip we give them.

[jamesboat]

On 7/1/2021 at 2:55 PM, Jimbo said:

Interesting, might be a way to visit family and friends still in NJ............What is the train line and where are the stops at along the way?

 

Edit: oh wait you said it's direct? no stops?

 

9 hours by train isn't bad at all to Newark.

 

Direct as in you dont have to change trains. It does make a few stops.

Roanoke-Lynchburg-Charlottesville-(3 more)-DC and then the major cities to Newark and NYC (Baltimore etc). Most stops are fast (2-3 minutes). DC is 30 minutes because they change from Diesel to Electric, but you can get out and pick up some food if youre fast.

 

Roanoke gets one train (Northeast Regional), Lynchburg gets that + Crescent, Charlottesville gets those two + Cardinal, so there are a few more options as you go north. Roanoke is supposed to get a 2nd daily train within the next year, and it will be extended to Christiansburg within the next 3 years.

 

As for your baggage questions, Amtrak offers checked bag service (like an airline) in Virginia. You drop it off at the station and pick it up in baggage claim in Newark. Not all trains offer this. If they dont, you carry on, and the ends of each train has ample space for everyones bags.

 

Plane from Roanoke is still faster, even with a connection in Charlotte or Dulles, but will almost always cost more and theres more potential for disruption with thunder storms and such, especially in the summer. Its not uncommon for Dulles to have a 2 hour ground stop as a storm goes by

 

[jamesboat]

Double post, delete

Edited July 3, 2021 by jamesboat