The Lake Shore Limited: Chicago to NYC on a Viewliner 2! Amtrak's NEWEST Sleeper

Here's a note I forgot to add but is worth mentioning: After this ride, I got in contact with Amtrak Customer Relations, and they were able to issue me a $175 travel credit for the delays into NYC. If you ever end up on a super delayed train, then call Amtrak's customer service line and ask to speak with "Customer Relations" and they'll sort out some form of compensation.

My first time on the Amtrak I had a wonderful experience my first trip was last year before Thanksgiving I went to go travel and see my little sister for the holiday and my eyes was glued to the window as i was enjoying my train ride through Michigan I had the best time ever. I don't Care what nobody says Amtrak is the most beautiful and greatest way to travel.

The U.S. passenger train system lags so far behind those of other developed countries. But considering that what we have now is a mere shadow of what the U.S. once had, we’re lucky to have any passenger train routes at all.

The third seat in the bedroom is very helpful for families. Our little guy is still young enough we can use one bedroom as a family; saves money and nice to have a seat for everyone without being on the couch all together.

One note: the car attendant offered to stow my large suitcase in an empty roomette during a less busy run, which was super convenient.

I was travelling with Antrak several times last time I was in USA. Miami to Philadelphia, Philadelphia to Cincinnati, Memphis to New Orleans and New Orleans to Chicago! It was absolutely amazing and I really miss those days of travling around in USA!🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲❤❤❤

Blues Brothers! Chicago train station

I've always loved the l lay-over in Chicago. I've almost always had time to walk up to the Art Museum, and get a sandwich to go for the train.

Never did the LSL. Did the Cardinal from Indianapolis to NYC a while back in a V1 Roomette. It was fun hanging out in the dining car because I got to dine with complete strangers at my table.

I got to use union stations redcap service and got a ride to my train and I'm grateful for it bc after a week vacation my feet were done and its a long walk from the great hall to the train lol 😂

Don't forget sometime if you are up in Toronto, take The Canadian, VIA Train #1 from Toronto to Vancouver. We just got back from a round trip returning on The Canadian, VIA Train #2 from Vancouver to Toronto. Five days, four nights! And the meals are absolutely out of this world. Thanks for a great video.

You picked a good time to ride the Lakeshore. The third sleeping car, added to the train just a few weeks ago, was on the Silver Meteor prior. With the relaunch of traditional dining, the staff that Amtrak hired was insufficient to handle patronage from the three sleeping cars that the Meteor normally carries. So one sleeping car was taken off so as not to overburden the limited staff onboard. It’s good that Amtrak chose to re-assign those cars to a route that could use additional capacity rather than take even more equipment off the rails.

When you are traveling east or west between Syracuse and Schenectady, you are passing along the Mohawk River. There is very little left of the actual Erie Canal. Almost all of it has been filled in and is mostly bike paths now. Also, the canal was located on the south side of the river, not the north side where the AMTRAK trains run. One last fact, the station at Albany is actually in Rensselaer across the Hudson River. (a really stupid decision made back in 1968, there's no easy way to get to the Rensselaer Station from downtown Albany) The original Albany Union Station is still standing in downtown, but is now a credit union.

In the early 1950's both the "20th Century Ltd." and "Broadway Ltd." took approximately 16'30" between Chicago and New York. Considering today's travel time that is a major step backwards.

Also as a local thanks for pronouncing Albany and Schenectady correctly 😂

I’m doing this exact trip in March. I called and I’ll be in the Viewliner II!

Coming from Austria, Europe, I still have to try Austria's ÖBB Nightjet (a new series of Nightjet trains are on their way and in operation maybe next year)

I found this quite well done and very interesting. As an aside, I was disappointed that no mention whatsoever was made of a regular stop in Utica, NY. Utica has one of the grandest (fully restored) passenger terminals of the old New York Central System. It is magnificent and well worth a visit.

Slightly dicey topic so I'll try to thread the needle here: The absence of power will not make the door inoperative. Unless the door is manually locked or you have been told not to use them by the crew, use the finger-hold (and the 'press' latch release if needed) to manually open the door, as depicted in the sticker. In this case, not a big deal, but it's important to note since the vestibule is always the best option as an emergency exit, if available. Having said that, I'd do about what you did, just walk and watch trains outside until the HEP came back. :)

Fun fact: Lake Shore Limited is the only long distance route on the empire corridor while the rest of the long distance routes from nyc are on the northeast corridor.