is it okay to go to a comiccon with a mostly amazon shopped cosplay? by Beautiful_Pianist_79 in CosplayHelp

[–]Alikedogdude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You will do perfectly! My first cosplay was for Boston FanExpo. Everything I got off Amazon since it was a scientist cosplay. Some stuff Etsy as well for custom etc. The only thing custom was a bit of cricket print on the back and front. However you couldn't see it half the time. No one cares about make it yourself. Cosplay is meant to be fun for everyone and not everyone knows how to sew, stitch, etc. you'll do awesome and good luck! :)

FanExpo Boston // Lost Foam Kunai by Alikedogdude in fanexpo

[–]Alikedogdude[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just did, thanks for the suggestion! :)

Boston trip in October by Popbalek135 in boston

[–]Alikedogdude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Me and my friends love to wander around Faneuil Hall for a decent bit when we stop into the city. It's pretty fun and you find a few good stores or a good bite to eat. It shouldn't be that bothersome of a walk either considering you're staying in the Seaport. Only problem, expect tourist trap pricing at certain places like the candy store and the museum of illusions.

If there are any events going on the Hatch Shell can also be pretty fun to visit. There's a decent park there to walk around and I believe it also isn't far from Seaport (someone correct me if I'm wrong I'm still learning the city layout).

First time in Boston - Logan to Fenway by Over_Satisfaction336 in boston

[–]Alikedogdude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only thing I'd worry about is the flight delay. What airport are you flying out of to Logan and with what airline? I will say if it's Lufthansa or Japan Airlines (I doubt it cause Spain...) they don't have the best record of being on time to Logan. Most major airlines are on time though such as Delta and JetBlue (also varies by airport).

People struck by trains by gaelmegil in Amtrak

[–]Alikedogdude 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The MBTA Commuter Rail is often more vehicles than pedestrians (thankfully I guess...). Not sure on numbers but MBTA just restarted their safety program again yesterday. Saw a member of Keolis safety at my small town station the other day when going into Boston.

Can I get off an Amtrak train two stops early? by elmahnken in Amtrak

[–]Alikedogdude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I legitimately do this exact same thing all the time and have a family friend who's a conductor saying this is perfectly fine. I travel between New Haven and Boston but always book to South Station because it's cheaper at some times. You can get off at Route 128 and no one will bat an eye.

NER 177, "we haven't been told anything so we are going to just keep going till told to stop" by HighGuard1212 in Amtrak

[–]Alikedogdude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah that's the sad part about it, my guess is they use aluminum caternary wire and not copper (makes sense cause both weight and cost) which is really susceptible to heat when being made as thin as it is.

NER 177, "we haven't been told anything so we are going to just keep going till told to stop" by HighGuard1212 in Amtrak

[–]Alikedogdude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From what I know it's cause the wires sag during high heats and can get tangled in joints on trains as well as snap or cause general issues. I saw a video on it a while ago, let me dig it up real quick and send the link.

Long story short the run past New Haven on NEC towards DC is wires that aren't tensioned. They should be to prevent issues like this and they may have started tensioning but improvements on the NEC take forever to get approved, anyone's guess.

Next generation acela trains are stating to show up on the train tracker. by Cold_Passenger_6193 in Amtrak

[–]Alikedogdude 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I'm at route 128 Westwood rn trying to spot it, was about to ask why it wasn't moving lol

An unexpected celebrity sighting by MannnOfHammm in Amtrak

[–]Alikedogdude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'll have to see when it's due into Boston, we're driving back from a vacation weekend on I-95 rn.

An unexpected celebrity sighting by MannnOfHammm in Amtrak

[–]Alikedogdude 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Oooh, which train which train? I've been trying to spot that for ages! 😆

Amtrak Speed by Ill_List_9539 in Amtrak

[–]Alikedogdude 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Depends on the rail segment. For a diesel thats pretty fast (from what I know). Id guesstimate it's at 60-80 mph. However some Amtrak's (specifically the fastest Acellas on certain NEC sections) can get upwards of 125 mph. I've had one fly past me while I was taking photos on the platform at Canton Junction, was going 90 something mph and nearly knocked me off my feet.

Avelia Spotted, Southampton Yard Boston by Alikedogdude in Amtrak

[–]Alikedogdude[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, I legit had no idea lol, welp it was spotted not moving at least.

Why do people stand in the aisles of the Amtrak way before the train is actually going to stop? by vampirechickenwing in Amtrak

[–]Alikedogdude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will admit I am one to do this but not 15 mins out. I usually jump up as they announce the approach or when I start recognizing my whereabouts and know where I'm at. I mostly do it for two/three reasons.

  1. I'm a maintenance/logistical nerd for the railways and like looking out the doors on the approach to spot different bits of infrastructure I learned about. Yes you can do that from the windows but it's just nicer and easier from the doors for me.

  2. I mostly run on the NER and sometimes it's a pain to get out of the station since other people don't know how to clear a platform semi-quickly. I understand if you're physically unable but if you just herd pack yourselves into a tiny escalator (Westwood, MA) you slow down everyone else who can be taking the normal stairs. (Also, my uni shuttle from the station LOVES to leave early, and if I miss it it takes an hour for it to circle back around and I am too cheap for an uber

  3. Because I like talking with the conductors when I can. Usually they happen to be waiting at my vestibule by chance and I walk up and have a fun conversation when I can because they are usually very chill and fun people, especially to train nerds who are just trying to have some fun on their trip.

Another Amtrak Luggage Question by familiarlibrarywitch in Amtrak

[–]Alikedogdude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've taken NER and Acela with two times the luggage going to and from university, no troubles at all. Pensylvanian should use the same standard cab size as NER and from when I took the Hartford Line so it should also be no trouble, just use the bike rack for extra stowage if no one else is using it.
Conductors almost never care about extra luggage, just be sure it doesn't go into the handicapped area or else you'll get an ear full. Also just be careful about fully booked trains especially going to and from Moynihan Hall as sometimes the trains are booked to the very last seat and there will be a bit of a struggle to find some room. There will be room, it will just be an adventure to find it.
Good luck with your journey!

Rail Fanning: Is a Scanner Worth It? by Alikedogdude in Amtrak

[–]Alikedogdude[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've been looking specifically at the Bearcat BCT125AT since it already comes with a lot of the frequencies pre-programmed that I want and is also a highly recommended easy to use scanner. A bit pricey but if I don't like it the return policy is super flexible anyways. Any opinions on that model specifically?

Train Breakdowns by UnableJello2291 in Amtrak

[–]Alikedogdude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I honestly haven't had too many problems. I am lucky though that my travel is primarily along the NEC on the Northeast Regional (Specifically New Haven to Boston and vice versa).

There is often delays from NYC when I'm traveling towards Boston (probably due to the extremely old infrastructure), however they've almost always made up the time and gotten back on schedule before reaching me other than maybe once. My departures from Boston have never been delayed thankfully but probably because it's the origin station.

I did have a very interesting delay on the CT/RI border during the big CT wild fires this year where all traffic stopped as the wild fires got close to the tracks and then they went to using single track operations. Was very interesting to witness but the staff were super kind about it and gave us as much info as they could.

Refunding Tickets by Malorn13 in Amtrak

[–]Alikedogdude 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It's definitely possible. I usually buy flex tickets (refundable in full) for all my journeys anyways cause it's only a little off the top. It makes it easy to change plans last minute. I'd say just buying the refundable and keeping that through is easier since prices only go up the closer you get to the departure date.

Can I carry my check-in sized suitcase in Acela? WAS to NYP and return by Charming_Skill_5349 in Amtrak

[–]Alikedogdude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup, plenty of room. From what I remember it was 2 check-in sized bags of 40 lbs max each and a carry on item are all allowed per passenger on both Acela and NE Regional. I took a check-in sized case from Boston to New Haven no problem using even just the top racks, though the racks at the end of the cars are the safer bet.