BOSTON — Amtrak will end checked baggage service on the Boston section of the Lake Shore Limited, effective Jan. 7.
The change on trains 448 and 449 means Springfield, Mass., will lose checked baggage service entirely, while Northeast Regional trains 65, 66 and 67 (Boston-Washington-Newport News overnight) will be the only trains with checked baggage serving Boston South Station.
All passengers boarding or detraining from the Lake Shore Limited at Boston, Worcester, or Springfield will be subject to the systemwide carry-on baggage policy, which limits passengers to two bags not exceeding 50 pounds each plus two personal items not exceeding 25 pounds each.
Checked baggage service will continue to be offered on Lake Shore Limited trains 48 and 49 between New York Penn Station and Chicago.
Amtrak did not immediately offer an explanation for this service change.
Don & Patti: Don’t forget the dining cars. Why do I get the sickening feeling that Air Anderson reports to that person who’s in the White House. Is it 2020 yet?
Now..how much checked baggage do they actually see on the Boston section? For a long while the Lake Shore was operationally a Boston-Chicago train with a New York section with a goodly proportion of the NYC train shuttling New York-Albany. The Boston section is often called the “Sure Late Limited” because eastbound no one ever knows when/if it will show up! I’ve even seen #448 show up at Ballou’s Crossing at 1:30am or so, probably empty because that late it gets annulled/bustituted but the equipment is needed in Boston for the next day’s train. Sadly I haven’t used #449 since 1998–the relatives in Rochester died and there are always excuses to visit while driving out there. “Airline” Anderson, that’s a good one–it fits him perfectly! Drive away the passengers and you won’t even need to run a train! Personally I’ve never quite trusted checking baggage; I’ve had stuff stored at Philadelphia, etc. but such services are disappearing…
The Boston section of the train is probably next.
Again, the Anderson administration looks to make riding the rails a more stressful, airline-like experience.
Just watched the Crescent come in to Lynchburg va. 7 hours late. I felt they morning agent didn’t like me waiting for the train either in the station or on the platform! Anderson seems to be making Amtrak a pain to ride or promote!!!
Soooooo, glad Amtrak purchased all those new baggage cars.
End checked baggage service on the boston section of the lakeshore limited that’s just silly we need checked baggage service on the boston section of the lakeshore limited without it how are people going to take their suitcases by train
Under Anderson Amtrak just keeps nibbling around the edges; one amenity at a time. The thing that galls me is that there is seldom a comment, immediate or otherwise. I’m a Guest Reward Member, but I’m getting fed up and so is my wife. I travel a lot. Lately my choice is Southwest, increasingly. I want to enjoy my journey, and little by little, Amtrak is removing elements that help make the journey enjoyable. Frankly, I’m tired of writing to politicians; it’s easier and more practical to vote with my wallet.
Just the beginning, folks.
I would certainly like to be a party to the conversation , between the car attendant and two passengers in a roomette, when they both board with “two 50 lb suitcases” and personal bags!!!!! Their certainly is NO place to place them on viewliner cars. With a generous tip, I have had car attendants place bags in the baggage car with no tag. And retrieve them at the end of the trip. I would guess that is against the rules.Probably would not be able to do that now because — no baggage car in the consist. Just another “airline Anderson” cut that is “penny wise and pound foolish”. We hear no rumors, but this guy has to GO !!!!!!!!!