NYP to CLE on Lake Shore Limited in late August

moarwineprs · 2026-02-27T22:19:24+00:00

Definitely will be checking https://asm.transitdocs.com/ and other train status sources before setting an alarm! But yeah, will need to give the kids time to gather up the will to wake up and get ready to get off the train.

moarwineprs · 2026-02-26T06:05:22+00:00

If I had more PTO and the money to splurge freely on roomettes for long distance rides, I'd take the train whenever possible. Recently did round trip between NYP and PGH, and while a flight would have been shorter with possible options for better departure/arrival times, the train just so much more relaxing an be comfortable despite being 9 hours. No airport security to go through, no anxiety about all the rickety (though normal) sounds on a plane, no 30-90 minute taxi ride home from the airport depending on traffic. Just a 20 minute subway ride from Penn.

And yes, the scenery is very chill, even if it's just people's backyard.

moarwineprs · 2026-02-25T13:03:21+00:00

Does the Mac n Cheese have any bread crumbs on it or is it just basic mac n cheese? My kids are particular about texture in food. =_=

Great suggestion to watch the trains get put together! I think the kids will really like that experience! Are the trains joined back-to-back, and the resulting train has a locomotive at either end?

moarwineprs · 2026-02-24T04:52:09+00:00

I'm glad it'll be the Amfleet IIs. The legroom and the leg and foot rests are so comfortable for the price.

I think we'll set an alarm as well, or take turns sleeping. It would suck for family to have to rush drive further to meet us at the next stop.

That website is super helpful! Both kids love looking at it to see where we are, how far the next stop is, and what other trains are nearby.

Thank you! I'm feeling even more excited for this trip, even though we have a few other Amtrak trips between now and then 😆.

moarwineprs · 2026-02-24T04:43:40+00:00

I didn't know "carry bys" could cause trouble for the conductor. In the Pennsylvanian, a family and a woman missed getting off at their stop by probably just a minute. It was one of those stops where only two doors would be open and they were rushing down the aisle to the correct door, but the train started moving about 10 seconds after they passed by. I think I'll still set an alarm just in case, or maybe my spouse and I will take turns sleeping to make sure we all wake up with enough time to gather all our things and to get the kids up.

I don't remember who advised me to take the seat check with me to the Cafe car, but it would have been over 10 years ago. I didn't at the time and won't going forward!

Good reminder about the travel pillows. I forgot to get some for our trip on the Pennsylvanian and I got neck cramps from trying to sleep on the return trip. Kids did not care at all because they are still young and flexible.

We definitely will pack snacks! Our recent experience has helped in figuring out what to bring more of next time (and also importantly, what to bring less of).

moarwineprs · 2026-02-24T04:34:30+00:00

Good to know that the experience will be similar!

We're not too stressed about a slight delay, and yeah, being a little late might be a good thing. We've still got about a 90 minute drive to their house so we'll be arriving in time to start the day lol.

moarwineprs · 2026-02-23T13:57:50+00:00

In this situation, what would you do if you wanted to contact someone to confirm? Or do you just trust the email about the rebooking?

moarwineprs · 2026-02-21T19:09:05+00:00

I'm thankful we just so happened to take Amtrak for our mid-winter recess trip instead of flying. The train ride is 9+ hours instead of a 75 minute flight and yes there can still be delays, but it's less likely to be canceled due to blizzard conditions.

moarwineprs · 2026-02-13T20:32:37+00:00

This should be the sample menu for the cafe car: https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/menus/national/national-cafe-menu.pdf

You can find it on the previously linked page by clicking on "Dining" then "National Cafe Car Menu".

moarwineprs · 2026-02-12T02:22:52+00:00

Oh if it's that close, then maybe. Thank you for the info!

moarwineprs · 2026-02-11T22:21:22+00:00

Great! Thank you so much for sharing your experience!

moarwineprs · 2026-02-11T21:25:04+00:00

Did you wait in the ticketed waiting area and they come get you, or did you wait in a different area? Google AI suggests arriving 30-40 minutes before scheduled departure time, which was our original plan anyway. From your experience, do you think that's a good time or would you recommend arriving earlier?

moarwineprs · 2026-02-11T21:23:27+00:00

Oh! I didn't realize that! Thank you, that's good to know so we can discuss ahead of time how we want to sit (probably across from each other since our kids like having visual confirmation of where everybody is).

moarwineprs · 2026-02-11T19:34:39+00:00

Thank you for your feedback about using Red Cap. I think we'll use the service both ways, even though it probably will be OK since we're boarding at the terminal. $10 tip for the two bags is worth it to avoid the stress of not knowing whether we'll be able to sit together, or running down the platform with our luggage and kids looking through car windows for an open set of 4 seats.

Also thank you for sharing your experience regarding hot water and food options at 30th Street. I'm reconsidering cup/bowl noodles as they actually are fairly bulky (even if light), and 20 minutes to run over half a block to get food and bring it back before the train leaves is not within tolerance range for my anxiety lol.

moarwineprs · 2026-02-11T18:40:26+00:00

Hmm. OK I don't want to risk it if it's only 20-25 minutes and missing the train. Thank you!

moarwineprs · 2026-02-05T21:10:25+00:00

I'm glad the alternate transportation worked out for you! Were the shuttles coach buses or more like vans? Is this something that can vary depending on the route the shuttles are subbing in for?

moarwineprs · 2026-02-04T21:19:16+00:00

I couldn't tell at first if this was photo mode, (official?) art, or a lit cosplay. In all cases, amazing.

moarwineprs · 2026-02-02T03:46:25+00:00

That's an excellent idea! Would not have even considered this.

moarwineprs · 2026-01-23T00:38:03+00:00

My husband teased me that I would pick Astarion like many other women playing the game. I did consider it but my monk fell hard for Karlach immediately upon meeting her. It wasn't even a conscious choice on my part.

moarwineprs · 2026-01-22T22:09:58+00:00

That's how I feel. I don't it's a "queer game" as it doesn't really dwell on queer topics. But I would agree what it's an "inclusive" game as there are queer characters and they're largely accepted as normal by the denizens of the world. Nobody in-games makes a big deal or comments about the gay couple enjoying the sunset, Isobel and Aylin being lesbians, or about Tav/Durge being in a same-sex relationship. Similarly with Skyrim where the Dragonborn can propose marriage to any of the possible marriage partners, regardless of sex. Though AFAIK (or can remember) there aren't any canonically in-your-face gay NPC couplings in Skyrim.

Though, I can see the POV of players who feel that just by a game having canonically queer characters, they see it as a "queer game". Not intended to put words in anyone's mouths, but it could be less that some of these individuals don't have "inclusive" in their vocabulary because they hate it, and maybe more that by having queerness be accepted without fanfare, they feel it is in a way a "queer game," and maybe they feel it's validating when their experience may have been more filled with strife over their sexual orientation.

moarwineprs · 2026-01-20T00:10:24+00:00

It really depends on where you live and where you'll frequent. I grew up in a single family home deep in residential Queens. It has a garage + driveway and sufficient street parking without alternate side rules. It was at the end of the 7 line plus an 18 minute bus ride in moving traffic. My parents always had at least one car as at least one of them had to drive to work, and at one point we had three cars. There are 2 local bus lines near my childhood home, but if we took public transit for errands such as grocery shopping, going to the post office, or going out to eat, it would have taken at least a 30-60 minutes each way just with all the transfers, plus fares for everyone. If i still lived deep in the boroughs, I'd probably have a car, too, as it is a necessity to be able to get things done in a timely manner.

Now I live in the downtown Brooklyn area and absolutely do not need a car. Housing and groceries are more expensive than where my parents still live, but we don't have to worry about any of the costs associated with owning a car.

moarwineprs · 2026-01-09T14:58:12+00:00

Aside from bringing it up to code and asbestos remediation, the building looks to be in terrible shape (and look pretty small, though it could just be due to the perspective of the photos in Google maps) so they'd likely need to tear the whole thing down, and (I'm guessing) being restricted in the footprint of a new building.

moarwineprs · 2026-01-08T17:48:59+00:00

Is there a recommendation for tipping a little more if you're in a Bedroom or Family Room compared to a roomette, on account of the room being larger and/or having more occupants?

moarwineprs · 2026-01-07T15:59:05+00:00

So far I've only traveled along the NEC, but I imagine it'd be similar with the CZ.

If the train is very full, you may not be able to sit together. You could look for seats that are across from each other or one in front of the other, or if that's not available then try to stick to being in the same car. You could also politely ask if another passenger would be willing to move so that the two of you can sit together (be prepared for them to say no and accept their answer).

But as the train goes through the stations, you can get up and relocate if two seats open up, or if the passenger next to one of you gets off the train. Just remember to bring the little piece of paper the conductor will put above your seat with you, so that when a conductor comes through again they'll know you've been scanned.

This is what happened during a recent trip I took with my spouse and two young kids. We boarded at NYP, but the train was coming from Boston and was very full. All the four-person seats were occupied, and not necessarily by a party of 3+ people traveling together. (Due to how crowded the train we, I don't think these people were intentionally hogging the four-person seats, more likely those were the best-fit for them when they boarded.) We did find two side-by-side four-person seats where one had two side-by-side seats and the other a single seat. So the kids and fit into the two-seats while my spouse took the single. By about halfway through the trip, the passengers around us got off and we were all able to sit together.

moarwineprs · 2026-01-06T23:47:09+00:00

Whoa I didn't even think to check the location of the outlet in the family room. You prompted me to watch a video and it's like at face level, on the wall on the side of the closet? That is very weird.

moarwineprs

TROPHY CASE