Have you ever been on a long-distance Amtrak train before?

What is the ride like on an Amtrak Commuter Train Equipment train?

• I'm considering taking an Amtrak trip up the Northeast Corridor but the ticket would be for a ride on an Amtrak Commuter Train Equipment train and not a regular Amtrak train. The ...show more

• Answer:

  I think you are talking about Amtrak's Northeast Regional service. Amtrak uses Amfleet cars which are quite comfortable. Seats are wide and they recline. There is a single electric outlet between each seat for electronic equipment. If you plan to use it I recommend a power strip as your seatmate may want to use it also. There are overhead luggage racks and I've never had any problem storing luggage. You would have to have a very large backpack for it not to fit. Northeast regional trains have snack bars. However, I prefer to buy a snack (such as coffee and rolls for breakfast) from a place in the station as the quality is a lot better. In New York Penn Station Dunkin Donuts is good; Zaros is better and more expensive. Downstairs in the Long Island Railroad station Au Bon Pain is also very good and there are other places. Amtrak also operates its Acela, a first class and more expensive train. I have never used it and cannot comment but it is quite popular. I have been riding northeast corridor trains from Washington to Providence since the (bad old) days of the New Haven Railroad and I have always found Amtrak comfortable.