Amtrak's Pennsylvanian: When Business Class is WORSE than Coach!

Remember the (discontinued) Three Rivers (NY - Philadelphia - Pittsburgh - Chicago). It might be time to reinstate this train?

I've traveled in business class on the Pennsylvanian before, and I actually preferred it to coach because it was much quieter and less crowded than coach. It's really not worth paying a premium, though. Like you, I prefer the 2 - 1 configuration found in business class on Midwestern trains. I think Amtrak needs to be clearer with their branding and tell passengers exactly what they will get when purchasing different types of tickets.

I remember this station was used for the movie: Thomas and the Magic Railroad when they used the Strasburg 475 4-8-0 Steam Locomotive (Ex-Norfolk & Western) for the Rainbow Sun. Harrisburg Transportation Center was used for Big City Station.

I'm a frequent business traveler and I take business class when I can. What you're actually paying for is a quiet car, with electrical outlets, no screaming babies, and dedicated baggage space so you can get to your bags and get off the train quickly without much hassle. As soon as I sit down in the seat, I'm probably plugging in my phone or computer and answering emails, and then after that I'll probably get a glass of wine and then sleep. Maybe less likely to take a long ride like Harrisburg to Pittsburgh but definitely would do this from New York to Baltimore or Philadelphia to Boston.

Harrisburg is my favorite Amtrak station that I’ve been to so far, and I’ve been to 30th Street Station & Moynihan Train Hall. There’s just something about its classic PRR vibe that’s like no other station I’ve visited.

I took this train from Greenburg to Newark in 2021 after I helped a friend move to Western PA. I enjoyed the scenery and the horseshoe curve. Once the train got into Philly I thought to myself “How is it that Philly and Pittsburgh are in the same state yet look radically different from each other?”. I wanted to take this train again but going to Greenburg however my friend moved to Ann Arbor, MI before her lease expired so now I’ll be flying to DTW but I might take the Wolverine to Chicago when I visit Ann Arbor sometime this year.

Stats for nerds is my favorite! Wish more channels did this.

I agree with you about the MLKJ East Busway. It works really well, but a sleeker, faster light rail line would be better suited. It would tie into the existing (though small) Pittsburgh subway system instead of driving around the cramped streets of downtown as the buses do.

I usually take the business class if it’s less than $40 more. The reason is there are normally no children in business class and is much quieter than coach. Sometimes the coach cars are like a playground and the conductor seldom intervenes. Then I just go through all the cars to find the quietest one but if the train is full there may not be any seats.

I took the Pennsylvanian from Paioli to Altoona back in December. Not a good train for business travelers in terms of convenience and ability to work, but still worth it. Wish PennDot would pay for more trains, not to say they haven’t tried something, but if you’re on a schedule, driving is almost the only way to go.

The only advantage to business class on Amtrak corridor trains is free drinks from the cafe.

Another great video! I have just found your channel and I’m playing catch-up. It was amazing to go around the Horseshoe Curve and see yourself at the same time! I’m a great fan of Virtual Railfan since the pandemic.

Thanks for sharing this Train information

I agree. My wife and I opted for Coach Class on the AMTRAK Maple Leaf (14 hours Toronto to New York) and on the AMTRAK Vermonter (12 hours from New York to St Albans) and we preferred it too, rather than Business Class. Where Business Class is situated in half the Café Car, Business Class was decidedly hotter as the Aircon had to compete with the cooking going on in the Café section. Also you can get interrupted sitting in Business Class as all the dining passengers file passed you. Personally, I also prefer the cloth seats in Coach over the slippery leather seats in Business. So all in all, much better in Coach, and it was half the price ! As your video shows, Coach is more than adequate. Regards from London, England.

I am a frequent traveler between Philly and Pittsburgh, where I have family. I have taken coach and later switched to business Class, which is less crowded than coach. Several times, I have had the entire row to myself. I understand service to Pittsburgh is being increased. Maybe they will upgrade the seats. In general, I am very satisfied with Amtrak. Except for delays caused by NS freight trains, I have experienced on time performances both ways.

I have taken business class on the Pennsylvanian a few times, however in the cafe/business car. I preferred business due to it being just 18 seats and if traveling alone having the single seat. Thanks for stating the difference between Amfleet 1 and 2.

Loved the seats.

That toy trainset in Harrisburg isn't seasonal. It may have been at one point, but now they keep it there year round.

I just rode A42 yesterday from Pittsburgh to Trenton. I was in the last car in pull and got a view out the back. The Amfleet II seats are definitely a premium product. Simply huge amount of space between seats, and the legrest is especially premium. But I’m surprised the Amfleet I is considered business class while the II is considered coach, when the II’s have bigger pitch and the legrest. It’s definitely an action-packed and scenic ride. Must have passed about three dozen freight trains along the way. While I was 40 minutes late at Huntingdon, was only 9 minutes late in Trenton.

Thanks!