Amtrak’s Most “Colorful” Train.

I’ve noted here several times that I think that the Cardinal is the most scenic of Amtrak’s eastern trains. OK, now I’ll qualify that and say, for the number of days that the Fall colors are at their peak, the most scenic train in Amtrak’s system is the Adirondack. This train, which runs daily in both directions between New York City and Montreal, travels through countryside that’s beautiful at any time of the year, but in the Fall it’s really a special experience.
 
From New York City, the Adirondack runs up the eastern bank of the Hudson River to Albany, then continues almost due north through Saratoga Springs and Fort Ticonderoga, passes near Lake Placid and finally crosses into Canada about 50 minutes from Montreal.
 
 
And starting on Thursday, September 24th, when the Fall Colors are beginning to peak, and continuing for six weeks, Amtrak’s one and only dome car will be part of the consist. But note, please, that since there is only one dome car, it obviously cannot be on every train every day. It will only be part of the consist between Albany and Montreal and only on specific days of the week—northbound on Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays; southbound on Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays. There are no specifically assigned seats in any of the coaches on this train and that’s also true for the dome car: first come, first served.
 
All that said, it’s worth going to the trouble of juggling your schedule to take this ride in that car and at this time of the year.