Jason Ciastko sent this tale to one of the mailing lists I’m subscribed to:
Go to www.amtrak.com
One way ticket from Erie PA (ERI) to Elkhart IN (EKH)… One adult passenger, no discounts or anything else… The day I picked happened to be tomorrow, but it should not matter….
Now your options should be train 49 (Lake Shore Limited) that departs Erie at 0136 and arrives in Elkhart at 0825 or train 449 (Lake Shore Limited again) that departs Erie at 0136 and arrives at 0825… Those observant will notice this is the same train… 49 is the New York to Chicago section and 449 is the Boston to Chicago section… They are combined into the same train in Albany New York (well before Erie PA…
The riddle is I got a ticket cost of $47 for train 49, and $59 for 449… Probably be in the same seat…
One heck of a way to run a railroad…
I’m sure there’s a rational explanation for this . . . but I can’t come up with one.
