I have taken the Northeast Regional line and the Acela line. I like the Acela best because you can snag single seats, but the Northeast Regional has also been wonderful.
The Amtrak employees are AMAZING. I've now taken several trips with this same crew, from DC to Baltimore to New Haven. They are SOLID people you feel safe with.
For example, I fell asleep once and missed my stop. The conductor/employee helped me off and to find the train to get on to get back to my intended destination.
This time around, the employee/conductor told me that I could get off in CT at State Street, which is what was on my ticket, but I would have to stay on the train much longer because they would have to turn around and re-align the trains. He gave me the tip that most passengers get off at Union station (SO close to State Street, it's a negligible distance). Then he took enough care to come back by again to tell me that Union was the next station if I wanted to get off.
The cafe car was also wonderful. His credit card machine stopped working. I told him that I had cash, but made the joke that I didn't look forward to walking the LONG walk from the cafe car back to business class to get that cash. He offered to COME TO ME to get the cash later, and he did! Tipped him majorly!
Business class is more expensive than coach, we are talking two to three times the price, but you get to choose your seat. On this particular line, it's never been full and I've never had anyone sitting next to me. It's worth it to me, but for some, it may not be.
Cafe car has plenty of drinks and snacks. Sandwiches, cheese and cracker trays, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Nothing fancy, but gets the job done.
But I can't get over how these guys have seemingly looked out for me and taken care of me on my many trips up and down the rails. read more