A couple of people have noted to me that many of Acela's riders, especially in First Class, are business travelers riding on their companies' dime. This is true, and obviously if someone else is paying for it, the better product is going to be better (First Class is indeed better than Business Class!) - that being said, the Northeast Corridor exists in a bizarre state where the higher speed train is jacked up in price compared to the lower speed one for seemingly no reason other than "One is for business people and one is for normal people." The fact that Amtrak is charging SO MUCH MORE for First Class ON TOP OF the already expensive base Acela ticket is emblematic of them being an entity designed first and foremost to make a profit rather than serve a public good. All that to say, Acela First Class is not a bad product at face value, but given the barrier to entry if you're not traveling at someone else's expense, it absolutely is.
That is indeed a problem, especially when trying to popularise rail travel. With the incoming Avelia and its potential for increased service (28 instead of 20 available sets) I hope the fares are reduced to make the higher order option more openly available. I can understand the wish of a “flagship service”, but the product shouldn’t be unreasonably expensive, which it seems to me now. Also, it’ll be very interesting to compare the Avelia to the new Siemens NE Regional sets, once that project rolls out in 3-8 years or so.
That's good and all, public good all that. But that same "public" is refusing to subsidize the service. How else is Amtrak supposed to fulfill its ridiculous long-distance commitments that Congress has placed on it but still operate within the budget that the government has set for it. My point is, we are the ones who refuse to allocate any subsidies to Amtrak. This is done indirectly by voting people into Congress who then push for this to happen. But that is the honest to got truth. If we want better less expensive service we have to also want to pay for it or at least vote for people who will make it happen. We don't so we get what we asked for.
I think the rationale for having the faster train slightly faster is that that way businesses that normally will pay for "the lowest class of service that will get you there in the fastest time" will pay for business class.
Wow, I looked up that CD and...I guess I did!!! That's such an oddly specific reference, I love it! And thanks again for helping with the song, Jackson!!
@@MilesinTransit and I thought the diner series of videos had catchy music but this is even better. How you and Jackson made music this addicting is beyond me. Great trip report as well.
I rode first class at a 2 seat table on Sunday and had someone sit opposite me. It ended up feeling like a non-romantic 4-hour first date... Heartwarming kismet moment and we ended up having a lot in common to talk about. I got caught up in the 2+hr delay caused by a tree taking down power lines near Wilmington, so I don't know if the crew were offering people who stayed on through NYC a second meal as a concession for the extreme delay. Definitely agree with your review! I think the extra value is mainly the lounge access, meal, and First Class Attendants dedicated to serving you unlimited drinks, but if that's of no interest to you and/or the fare isn't being comped as a work expense, it's a LOT to pay extra for. (Also, the bathroom in the first class car is identical in dimensions to the accessible restroom in all cars. The smaller restroom on most other car configs is taken up by the crew jump seat - looks like it used to be one of the many phone booths that existed on the trainsets when introduced in the 2000s. This car is a mirror of car 6 on the other side of the trainset with an unused galley at the end of car 6 mated with car 5. Maybe someone who's ridden Acela in the 2000s would know if First Class used to swap ends and that's why the train is like this or if it was used for table service for business class as well.)
I just did this trip today, but in Acela business class! I also found that booking early and taking specific trains made it pretty comparable, or even cheaper than some NE Regional trains, and somewhat more comfortable. The one I took today was a 6:00 from South station that didn't make any stops between NYC and Philly.
Oh my gosh, I just looked on the website...I had no idea that train existed! That's AWESOME! But yeah, if you book early Acela can be reasonable - although the Regional is also often a lot cheaper, so I still tend to go with the cheapest way! ;)
The biggest advantage I've found to the lounges is the ability to store luggage for free when I have a lengthy layover between trains. I've done this in Chicago many times. The nicest thing there is that you can access the lounge with a regional business class ticket, which is much cheaper than a sleeper ticket.
For sure - on the Acela front, I could see someone taking advantage of that if they're maybe coming from Boston and connecting to a long-distance train in New York.
Perfect timing, I'm be riding the Acela tomorrow morning for the first time! Usually I go with the Regionals because they're a heck of a lot cheaper, but for whatever reason, the Acela Business class ticket came in at $10 LESS than the Palmetto ticket when we booked it (89 makes local NEC stops and has Regional pricing east of DC). Edit: FYI, Amtrak is doing their $31 Regional sale again this summer, so i guess you can be like Miles and book a trip to Newport News if you want. I got a less-value-worthy $31 ticket to Boston (from NYP), which is still a decently good deal despite not being an 8 hour trip
A few things 1) NYP lounge is amazing, i love it. Very comfortable. 2) can you please add the “date of trip” to the description? 3) great video! Loved it
I think the quote is supposed to mean that the only thing that is truly antique is nature, given how by comparison, human civilization is extremely new. As such, the oldest form of art is a mushroom, not only as a representative of nature but because it is formed from the decay of other living matter. Not sure what that has to do with trains, but alright. Edit: Also, I did sneak into the new lounge at Moynihan on the day it opened and can confirm that it's really fucking nice. Probably even better now that everything is properly opened and finished.
I will just say, the metal silverware and napkins are what we used to get in the dining car, we also used to get a white table cloth, that was the standard for dining car service before the days of flexible dining
"Thou fool! Nature alone is antique, and the oldest art a mushroom; that idle crag thou sittest on is six thousand years of age." From Sartor Resartus by Thomas Carlyle. A metafiction in which an editor is working through the manuscript of a would-be German philosopher, considered a parody of Hegel. Apparently this work was the favorite of the Transcendalists and most of the 19th century authors you studied in your high school American Literature course.
I've always thought it interesting that when one has a reserved seat on a train that a person is still are concerned about being first in line to board. I recently took the Acela for $86 from South Station Boston to Washington, DC, a 9:10 AM departure. I enjoyed a free upgrade to First Class thru my Amtrak Credit Card. I did have to sit with another person since no singles were available. The lounge at South Station is nice but you are simply told the track before others and you walk to the track along with others. I was served breakfast between Boston and NYC and then lunch sometime after we were in New Jersey. I was a nice ride but I would never have paid their regular cost for Acela First Class. And in terms of the time saving compared tov the regional train, no more than one hour for the entire trip..so I'll be taking the regular train unless I have upgrades. Ooh...by the way, the NYC Metrolounge is beyond belief. It is by far the best of the metro lounge I've been in the Northeast and also Chicago. You've got to experience it. Very nice hot food and drinks and then go back for more food and drinks..and enjoy the patio overlooking Moynihan Hall. Ahhhh.....Now that can make you feel special.
Rode on the Acela once. In the business class for around 10 minutes before a friend upgraded me to first class with an upgrade coupon. I think if someone has never been on Acela and want to experience the current train set before it gets replaced (aka foam🤣), pick the first class and get the full complete experience. Dining is great, especially knowing there aren't full kitchen on the train. I got two meals and more than plenty of snacks between Boston and DC. I rarely drink at home but did got a Irish Cream. One is enough though for me😅. I also appreciate the larger restroom. If someone is going to point A to Point B instead of foaming though, I think I would choose NE Regional most of the time. If NE Regional has a 79mph top speed, maybe Acela is worth it, but I think NE regional goes up to 115/120 mph already, so the time savings for the Acela "Express" is minimal.
The Acela trainsets were designed for a top seep of 165 MPH. Regardless, trains can only go as fast as the tracks allow it. Between Washington DC and Boston there are about 30 miles where the track speed is 150 MPH, but that's about it. For the majority of the route it goes as fast as the "slower" Northeast Regional trains. The main reason Acela is "faster" is that it has less station stops than the Northeast Regional.
@@connecticutmultimodaltrans8226 Yes really. You can compare prices on their websites for similar length trips. The difference in price is more than can be explained by the difference between Canadian and American dollars.
Acela first class is very nice. I was a frequent traveler between Phila - DC and was Select Plus status. I used to get a lot of upgrade coupons (note this was back in mid 2000s. No idea if they still give out so many). The dinner and drinks were great.
I’ve been in NYC’s first class lounge - it is MUCH better than the ones you showed in the video. Nice food, a view of the entire main hall through a balcony (which actually made me feel awkward like a king looking down over “the unfortunate”), lots of seating, nice interior designs, etc.
I took an Acela first class trip last Sunday from DC to 128, considering we were delayed for 3 hours, the unlimited drink service was definitely nice during the wait
RIP. I watched that unfold while waiting for one of the Acelas (2154 and 2156) at NYP. I was in first class on 2154 (seat 14A) and it was wild to watch our trains run 5 mins apart from each other most of the way up the corridor... As we made the stop at Providence, 2156 pulled in across the platform... 🤯
I agree that first class on that train is nice but as you pointed out is very pricy compared to the regular Northeast Regional trains. I am an older person who remembers when Metroliner service was relatively new under Penn Central. They also charged more for both coach and first class service compared to the regular trains. However it was a reasonable extra charge to ride Metroliners and on many of my trips between Philadelphia and Washington DC, I would pay the higher fare to experience the Metroliner speed and comfort. They also treated first class passengers well and only charged a relatively small extra charge compared to regular Parlor car first class fares charged on conventional trains. As you mentioned I feel the reason for the higher fares is due to the fact that much of that traffic is business people traveling at a companies expense. So they feel they will pay the higher fare and it helps Amtrak look like the Acela trains make money compared to the regional trains.
The fastest that my wife and I have ever been on Amtrak was 125 mph which I found too fast to look at the scenery. This is something that I love to do. It's been a few years since we've used Amtrak but we thought the lounge in Washington DC was the nicest. I understand that the one in New York City has been expanded and when we were there it was really too small. Chicago has a nice Lounge now. New Orleans and Portland have interesting lounges. Enjoyed your trip!
If you compare Acela first class vs coach on a regular train the price difference is drastic. Coach is much more roomy than an economy class on a plane. Do compare planes and rail. Also, if the Acela trip is only 30 minutes quicker I am not paying the much larger expense . Same goes for a regular train when when comparing business vs coach.
Miles: for preboarding, I believe you're supposed to engage a red cap to carry your luggage (and tip them appropriately), and then magically they will escort you and your luggage down to the platform and onto the train. Maybe they are too {adjective} to tell you this in clear language. That said, I never take First Class so maybe it's different, although I doubt it. I usually guess the (regional) track in South Station with probability 95%, and end up first in line. Sometimes to the point of putting out the bollard myself :) Maybe this means I'm getting there too early.
ACELA is the best. I ride it often between NYP to Boston or to BWi or DC. I pay my way. I am not a corporate rider. The quality of the service is good as well as the quality of the people around you. The ACELA lounges are comfortable and give you priority boarding. You can enjoy waiting for the departure.
I don't know if this conversation about cost makes any sense. This is a transportation service. Amtrak has a limited number of seats to sell and people seem to prefer it over a flight. Since there are those who are willing to pay this amount, they are effectively raising the price of the ticket. The solution is to add more capacity to the Acela, which means that we need to compel Congress to invest more into Amtrak and the Acela. I know that everyone is used to train travel and public transit in general being always subsidized. But this is not necessarily true for HSR. Unlike slower local trains and the long distance trains, there is an honest to goodness market niche that HSR has to itself in the sub-500 mile trip distance. This means that unusually for people used to subsidized public transportation, the Acela will be oversubscribed and expensive. That's normal. That's the way things should be. No one complains when airlines raise tickets on popular routes because demand is high.
I never rode Acela, but I don't think I will bother to. I went into this video already with the same thoughts as you expressed in your conclusion. The price differential is just too much. I don't drink alchohol enough to want it on a train. I can bring my own snacks. I suppose Acela business has nicer food for purchase than NE Reg, but the meal being free in First Class is not worth how much just buying that meal would be in business instead. Amtrak's coaches are pretty comfortable as is, and, like you said, you only save an hour at most. As a non-business commuter that is privy to costs, it's all not worth it. I will continue riding coach solo and MAYBE non-Acela business class so I can pick seats when in a party of 2 or more.
Acela business class doesn't even get that nice food - they have more or less the same cafe menu as the NE Regional!!! Sometimes you get lucky and Acela is only a couple dollars more than the Regional, but otherwise it's usually priced too high.
oj.. free alcohol? that will become a problem for me. You see... I don't drink alcohol, but I am also Dutch. And a proper Dutchman never refuses something that is free I was looking into those loopholes for the lounge (which my dumb head first typed as Launch lol) but that seems a lot of hassle for lounge access without a first class/sleeper ticket. I think I stick with the on station coffeeshops or something. (or more likely just buy me that first class/sleeper ticket) 7:00 or maybe I just buy the business class if I hear your final review. I assume I can buy food on the train right? And that won't cost me $120 extra? (I mean, I drive it in the sim, one day I want to travel with it in real life obviously.)
It looks better than other intercity rail in North America but certainly nowhere as good as some European rail services. I've heard that first class rail travel in Switzerland is really good!
Eh, I'd say it looks comparable. First class on many modern European trains is often little more than 2+1 instead of 2+2 seating, and more leg-room. I don't even know if meals are commonly included for first class, I guess it varies country to country.
Yeah, my understanding is that even Amtrak coach is often a lot better than European coach in terms of comfort. Of course, in Europe there's often frequent electrified rail service everywhere...between the two, I'd pick Europe!
First class west of the Mississippi gets you a bed, private space and three meals a day, with a free drink at dinner. Not sure it would be worth it on the Acela.
Oh yeah, sleeper doesn't even compare! It's still too expensive (just compare it to European sleeper prices), but it's a lot easier to justify the extra cost for a private space and three free meals a day.
The panning to your face makes me a bit car sick. You face is okay but the panning is a bit difficult to deal with visually. One or two per episode is okay but it is visually disruptive your older viewers possibly. (BTW, how did you get the free coupon or upgrades?)
A couple of people have noted to me that many of Acela's riders, especially in First Class, are business travelers riding on their companies' dime. This is true, and obviously if someone else is paying for it, the better product is going to be better (First Class is indeed better than Business Class!) - that being said, the Northeast Corridor exists in a bizarre state where the higher speed train is jacked up in price compared to the lower speed one for seemingly no reason other than "One is for business people and one is for normal people." The fact that Amtrak is charging SO MUCH MORE for First Class ON TOP OF the already expensive base Acela ticket is emblematic of them being an entity designed first and foremost to make a profit rather than serve a public good.
All that to say, Acela First Class is not a bad product at face value, but given the barrier to entry if you're not traveling at someone else's expense, it absolutely is.
That is indeed a problem, especially when trying to popularise rail travel. With the incoming Avelia and its potential for increased service (28 instead of 20 available sets) I hope the fares are reduced to make the higher order option more openly available. I can understand the wish of a “flagship service”, but the product shouldn’t be unreasonably expensive, which it seems to me now. Also, it’ll be very interesting to compare the Avelia to the new Siemens NE Regional sets, once that project rolls out in 3-8 years or so.
I'm sure I'll end up doing something akin to this video again once the Avelias roll out!
That's good and all, public good all that. But that same "public" is refusing to subsidize the service. How else is Amtrak supposed to fulfill its ridiculous long-distance commitments that Congress has placed on it but still operate within the budget that the government has set for it.
My point is, we are the ones who refuse to allocate any subsidies to Amtrak. This is done indirectly by voting people into Congress who then push for this to happen. But that is the honest to got truth. If we want better less expensive service we have to also want to pay for it or at least vote for people who will make it happen. We don't so we get what we asked for.
I totally agree!
I think the rationale for having the faster train slightly faster is that that way businesses that normally will pay for "the lowest class of service that will get you there in the fastest time" will pay for business class.
THE TRIP REPORT THEME SONG 😍😍😍 I love how you used the “1987 CD reissue of Blonde on Blonde by Bob Dylan” font for the text 😍😍
Wow, I looked up that CD and...I guess I did!!! That's such an oddly specific reference, I love it! And thanks again for helping with the song, Jackson!!
@@MilesinTransit and I thought the diner series of videos had catchy music but this is even better. How you and Jackson made music this addicting is beyond me. Great trip report as well.
Having a jingle leaves Paul and Jeff in the dust. Expertise is your own pov, so no worries! I’ll now know to save money and ride the regional.
Hehe, thank you!
Funny, I just watched Jeb's video of him riding Acela First Class, but I much prefer your commentary and energy! Keep it up! :D
Of the channels I've watched, I consider Jeb to be the gold standard of video and commentary quality, so I really appreciate that!
I rode first class at a 2 seat table on Sunday and had someone sit opposite me. It ended up feeling like a non-romantic 4-hour first date... Heartwarming kismet moment and we ended up having a lot in common to talk about.
I got caught up in the 2+hr delay caused by a tree taking down power lines near Wilmington, so I don't know if the crew were offering people who stayed on through NYC a second meal as a concession for the extreme delay. Definitely agree with your review! I think the extra value is mainly the lounge access, meal, and First Class Attendants dedicated to serving you unlimited drinks, but if that's of no interest to you and/or the fare isn't being comped as a work expense, it's a LOT to pay extra for.
(Also, the bathroom in the first class car is identical in dimensions to the accessible restroom in all cars. The smaller restroom on most other car configs is taken up by the crew jump seat - looks like it used to be one of the many phone booths that existed on the trainsets when introduced in the 2000s. This car is a mirror of car 6 on the other side of the trainset with an unused galley at the end of car 6 mated with car 5. Maybe someone who's ridden Acela in the 2000s would know if First Class used to swap ends and that's why the train is like this or if it was used for table service for business class as well.)
That’s the most beautiful opening ever.
Haha, thank you!
Yet another Miles in Transit with a theme that has immediately gotten stuck in my head
I just did this trip today, but in Acela business class! I also found that booking early and taking specific trains made it pretty comparable, or even cheaper than some NE Regional trains, and somewhat more comfortable. The one I took today was a 6:00 from South station that didn't make any stops between NYC and Philly.
Oh my gosh, I just looked on the website...I had no idea that train existed! That's AWESOME! But yeah, if you book early Acela can be reasonable - although the Regional is also often a lot cheaper, so I still tend to go with the cheapest way! ;)
The biggest advantage I've found to the lounges is the ability to store luggage for free when I have a lengthy layover between trains. I've done this in Chicago many times. The nicest thing there is that you can access the lounge with a regional business class ticket, which is much cheaper than a sleeper ticket.
For sure - on the Acela front, I could see someone taking advantage of that if they're maybe coming from Boston and connecting to a long-distance train in New York.
SO late to this, but you can also access the Union Station lounge on a coach ticket for just $30, from what I remember.
Perfect timing, I'm be riding the Acela tomorrow morning for the first time! Usually I go with the Regionals because they're a heck of a lot cheaper, but for whatever reason, the Acela Business class ticket came in at $10 LESS than the Palmetto ticket when we booked it (89 makes local NEC stops and has Regional pricing east of DC).
Edit: FYI, Amtrak is doing their $31 Regional sale again this summer, so i guess you can be like Miles and book a trip to Newport News if you want. I got a less-value-worthy $31 ticket to Boston (from NYP), which is still a decently good deal despite not being an 8 hour trip
I love when Acela ends up being inexplicably cheap!
A few things
1) NYP lounge is amazing, i love it. Very comfortable.
2) can you please add the “date of trip” to the description?
3) great video! Loved it
I really gotta get myself to the NYC lounge one of these days! The date of the trip was March 21, 2022.
The theme song is such a jam!!! Well done Miles + Jackson :)
Thanks Justin!!
Thanks Justin!!!
The Acela is kind of a ripoff until you're in Providence at 10 PM and still on Spanish time...not that that's ever happened to anyone...
Caleb what is it with you and missing trains?
It was me this time...although I didn't miss a train per se. This will be in a future bonus video...
Headed from Boston to DC in a few weeks and decided to pay for first. On a 6.5-hour trip, it is nice to have a seat to myself.
The Theme songs are just getting better and better
Thank you!
I think the quote is supposed to mean that the only thing that is truly antique is nature, given how by comparison, human civilization is extremely new. As such, the oldest form of art is a mushroom, not only as a representative of nature but because it is formed from the decay of other living matter. Not sure what that has to do with trains, but alright.
Edit: Also, I did sneak into the new lounge at Moynihan on the day it opened and can confirm that it's really fucking nice. Probably even better now that everything is properly opened and finished.
I will just say, the metal silverware and napkins are what we used to get in the dining car, we also used to get a white table cloth, that was the standard for dining car service before the days of flexible dining
Use to always use my upgrade coupons for the $98 tickets between BOS and NYP. Was a nice perk to get 750 points as well. Nice loophole.
"Thou fool! Nature alone is antique, and the oldest art a mushroom; that idle crag thou sittest on is six thousand years of age."
From Sartor Resartus by Thomas Carlyle.
A metafiction in which an editor is working through the manuscript of a would-be German philosopher, considered a parody of Hegel. Apparently this work was the favorite of the Transcendalists and most of the 19th century authors you studied in your high school American Literature course.
I've always thought it interesting that when one has a reserved seat on a train that a person is still are concerned about being first in line to board. I recently took the Acela for $86 from South Station Boston to Washington, DC, a 9:10 AM departure. I enjoyed a free upgrade to First Class thru my Amtrak Credit Card. I did have to sit with another person since no singles were available. The lounge at South Station is nice but you are simply told the track before others and you walk to the track along with others. I was served breakfast between Boston and NYC and then lunch sometime after we were in New Jersey. I was a nice ride but I would never have paid their regular cost for Acela First Class. And in terms of the time saving compared tov the regional train, no more than one hour for the entire trip..so I'll be taking the regular train unless I have upgrades. Ooh...by the way, the NYC Metrolounge is beyond belief. It is by far the best of the metro lounge I've been in the Northeast and also Chicago. You've got to experience it. Very nice hot food and drinks and then go back for more food and drinks..and enjoy the patio overlooking Moynihan Hall. Ahhhh.....Now that can make you feel special.
Rode on the Acela once. In the business class for around 10 minutes before a friend upgraded me to first class with an upgrade coupon. I think if someone has never been on Acela and want to experience the current train set before it gets replaced (aka foam🤣), pick the first class and get the full complete experience. Dining is great, especially knowing there aren't full kitchen on the train. I got two meals and more than plenty of snacks between Boston and DC. I rarely drink at home but did got a Irish Cream. One is enough though for me😅. I also appreciate the larger restroom.
If someone is going to point A to Point B instead of foaming though, I think I would choose NE Regional most of the time. If NE Regional has a 79mph top speed, maybe Acela is worth it, but I think NE regional goes up to 115/120 mph already, so the time savings for the Acela "Express" is minimal.
Regionals go up to 125 mph, so the speed difference on many sections is minimal.
The Acela trainsets were designed for a top seep of 165 MPH. Regardless, trains can only go as fast as the tracks allow it. Between Washington DC and Boston there are about 30 miles where the track speed is 150 MPH, but that's about it. For the majority of the route it goes as fast as the "slower" Northeast Regional trains. The main reason Acela is "faster" is that it has less station stops than the Northeast Regional.
Also train attendants are standard in VIA, any class
Yeah but VIA is way more expensive than Amtrak, any class
@@OntarioTrafficMan really? even without Amtrak's saver fares?
@@connecticutmultimodaltrans8226 Yes really. You can compare prices on their websites for similar length trips. The difference in price is more than can be explained by the difference between Canadian and American dollars.
Acela first class is very nice. I was a frequent traveler between Phila - DC and was Select Plus status. I used to get a lot of upgrade coupons (note this was back in mid 2000s. No idea if they still give out so many). The dinner and drinks were great.
Great trip report - those upgrade coupons are nice. The one time I took Acela First Class Charles Rangel was sitting across the aisle from me.
I’ve been in NYC’s first class lounge - it is MUCH better than the ones you showed in the video. Nice food, a view of the entire main hall through a balcony (which actually made me feel awkward like a king looking down over “the unfortunate”), lots of seating, nice interior designs, etc.
One video I want to do, using the upgrades and lounge passes I still have, is "reviewing every Acela lounge in a day"!
The theme song goes so hard
I took an Acela first class trip last Sunday from DC to 128, considering we were delayed for 3 hours, the unlimited drink service was definitely nice during the wait
RIP. I watched that unfold while waiting for one of the Acelas (2154 and 2156) at NYP. I was in first class on 2154 (seat 14A) and it was wild to watch our trains run 5 mins apart from each other most of the way up the corridor... As we made the stop at Providence, 2156 pulled in across the platform... 🤯
When I splurge on a higher class of service, I LOVE delays - more time in first class!
DigitalSciGuy Small world, I was also on 2154 seat 8F, ended up staying 10 minutes at 128 to catch 2156 arrive haha
I agree that first class on that train is nice but as you pointed out is very pricy compared to the regular Northeast Regional trains. I am an older person who remembers when Metroliner service was relatively new under Penn Central. They also charged more for both coach and first class service compared to the regular trains. However it was a reasonable extra charge to ride Metroliners and on many of my trips between Philadelphia and Washington DC, I would pay the higher fare to experience the Metroliner speed and comfort. They also treated first class passengers well and only charged a relatively small extra charge compared to regular Parlor car first class fares charged on conventional trains. As you mentioned I feel the reason for the higher fares is due to the fact that much of that traffic is business people traveling at a companies expense. So they feel they will pay the higher fare and it helps Amtrak look like the Acela trains make money compared to the regional trains.
I do like that first class lounge in Boston. Do enjoy the first class service on Acela…pricey but worth it I think…the single seats are a plus!
MiT is the Snyder’s of transit channels
2 May or may not be Chex Mix out of Ten. I'm still laughing!
The fastest that my wife and I have ever been on Amtrak was 125 mph which I found too fast to look at the scenery. This is something that I love to do. It's been a few years since we've used Amtrak but we thought the lounge in Washington DC was the nicest. I understand that the one in New York City has been expanded and when we were there it was really too small. Chicago has a nice Lounge now. New Orleans and Portland have interesting lounges. Enjoyed your trip!
The average is only 70 so...😅
Yeah, those fringe lounges outside of the Northeast, Chicago, and LA are interesting. I think there are ones in St. Paul and St. Louis too?
Btw the Moynihan Lounge is fantastic! You get so much free food they have sandwhich and muffins and all tons of good stuff.
I know, I need to get myself there sometime!
Thanks for the info on the value of First Class Acela or lack there of
If you compare Acela first class vs coach on a regular train the price difference is drastic. Coach is much more roomy than an economy class on a plane. Do compare planes and rail. Also, if the Acela trip is only 30 minutes quicker I am not paying the much larger expense . Same goes for a regular train when when comparing business vs coach.
The biggest reason for the price increase on First Class vs Buissness class is the fact you get meals, snacks and drinks included at no added cost.
More Tripreports please!
More to come!
Jeb recommended you, this is funny
Thank you!!
"Menu Shot, Menu Shot, Right Now your looking at the Menu shot"
Love the new intro!
Thanks!
Miles: for preboarding, I believe you're supposed to engage a red cap to carry your luggage (and tip them appropriately), and then magically they will escort you and your luggage down to the platform and onto the train. Maybe they are too {adjective} to tell you this in clear language. That said, I never take First Class so maybe it's different, although I doubt it. I usually guess the (regional) track in South Station with probability 95%, and end up first in line. Sometimes to the point of putting out the bollard myself :) Maybe this means I'm getting there too early.
ACELA is the best. I ride it often between NYP to Boston or to BWi or DC. I pay my way. I am not a corporate rider. The quality of the service is good as well as the quality of the people around you. The ACELA lounges are comfortable and give you priority boarding. You can enjoy waiting for the departure.
I just paid $535 for WAS to BOS 😢
I don't know if this conversation about cost makes any sense. This is a transportation service. Amtrak has a limited number of seats to sell and people seem to prefer it over a flight. Since there are those who are willing to pay this amount, they are effectively raising the price of the ticket. The solution is to add more capacity to the Acela, which means that we need to compel Congress to invest more into Amtrak and the Acela.
I know that everyone is used to train travel and public transit in general being always subsidized. But this is not necessarily true for HSR. Unlike slower local trains and the long distance trains, there is an honest to goodness market niche that HSR has to itself in the sub-500 mile trip distance. This means that unusually for people used to subsidized public transportation, the Acela will be oversubscribed and expensive. That's normal. That's the way things should be. No one complains when airlines raise tickets on popular routes because demand is high.
I poor Bid at 32 and won First class to NYC and because i was going to NYC and could finish my trip in the lounge hell yeah it was worth it.
The Moynihan lounge adds a lot of value to that ticket!
Last time I did Adela First Class, Bo Burnham was in my carriage but I was too ascared to say hello
Love these trip reports!!! Amazing cotent mate :)
Thank you!
Love the theme song and the menu shot song for 0.3 seconds
Wait a minute I think I saw your train blazing through Ruggles yesterday
Thank you! Unfortunately that wasn't my train - I did this trip back in March!
@@MilesinTransit that explains the mask
Way to catchy theme song
Hey, I thought Out Of Focus was a greyhound stop on Kansas. (Out Of Focus, Kansas) 😋
I never rode Acela, but I don't think I will bother to. I went into this video already with the same thoughts as you expressed in your conclusion. The price differential is just too much. I don't drink alchohol enough to want it on a train. I can bring my own snacks. I suppose Acela business has nicer food for purchase than NE Reg, but the meal being free in First Class is not worth how much just buying that meal would be in business instead. Amtrak's coaches are pretty comfortable as is, and, like you said, you only save an hour at most. As a non-business commuter that is privy to costs, it's all not worth it. I will continue riding coach solo and MAYBE non-Acela business class so I can pick seats when in a party of 2 or more.
Acela business class doesn't even get that nice food - they have more or less the same cafe menu as the NE Regional!!! Sometimes you get lucky and Acela is only a couple dollars more than the Regional, but otherwise it's usually priced too high.
Inside of the train looks like a coach.
Ngl i feel like the Acela is just a stepped up version of the Regional, it's not even a national network 😭
Just discovered your channel! Really enjoying your vids. You’ve got a new sub! Nice work!
Thanks so much!
Did you see Metro North on the New Haven Line you were on?
I'm in the hiring process with Amtrak and I'm going to try the Acela once I get my travel pass
Congratulations!!
I rode Business Class when I went to D.C.
Was the snack Utz Pub Mix?
OOH, good call, I think you're right!
I'm 1/2 through The Unlucky Tug's Thomas and friends season 1 map, and you have to interrupt it. Tug can wait though.
oj.. free alcohol? that will become a problem for me. You see... I don't drink alcohol, but I am also Dutch. And a proper Dutchman never refuses something that is free
I was looking into those loopholes for the lounge (which my dumb head first typed as Launch lol) but that seems a lot of hassle for lounge access without a first class/sleeper ticket. I think I stick with the on station coffeeshops or something. (or more likely just buy me that first class/sleeper ticket)
7:00 or maybe I just buy the business class if I hear your final review. I assume I can buy food on the train right? And that won't cost me $120 extra? (I mean, I drive it in the sim, one day I want to travel with it in real life obviously.)
Yeah, you can buy food on the train - there's a cafe car!
Any watch outs taking first class from nyc to boston? First time taking the acela
Not really, none that I can think of! Enjoy it!
It looks better than other intercity rail in North America but certainly nowhere as good as some European rail services. I've heard that first class rail travel in Switzerland is really good!
Eh, I'd say it looks comparable. First class on many modern European trains is often little more than 2+1 instead of 2+2 seating, and more leg-room. I don't even know if meals are commonly included for first class, I guess it varies country to country.
Yeah, my understanding is that even Amtrak coach is often a lot better than European coach in terms of comfort. Of course, in Europe there's often frequent electrified rail service everywhere...between the two, I'd pick Europe!
Ask and you’ll definitely find out??
But, tip the attendant before you actually ask.🤣
How many free alcoholic beverages are you allowed? This may determine what class I'll take.
I believe as many as you want!
@@MilesinTransit Great
First class west of the Mississippi gets you a bed, private space and three meals a day, with a free drink at dinner. Not sure it would be worth it on the Acela.
Oh yeah, sleeper doesn't even compare! It's still too expensive (just compare it to European sleeper prices), but it's a lot easier to justify the extra cost for a private space and three free meals a day.
Weird question but-do you own a car?
Nope!
@@MilesinTransit I didn't think so. Having a car is expensive and public transit/biking and walking is so much more fun!
NO
YES
The panning to your face makes me a bit car sick. You face is okay but the panning is a bit difficult to deal with visually. One or two per episode is okay but it is visually disruptive your older viewers possibly. (BTW, how did you get the free coupon or upgrades?)
Wearing a mask???GTFO
They were required on Amtrak at time of filming...like, I dunno what to tell you, man