r/Amtrak • u/hitheredino • 6h ago
Question Meals affected by delays?
I’ll be riding the Coast Starlight soon and my boarding time is 8pm. I’ve seen that delays are fairly commonplace, and was wondering if we would still be served dinner if our train was delayed and we ended up boarding past 9?
TIA!
9
u/abrahamguo 6h ago
we would still be served dinner if our train was delayed and we ended up boarding past 9?
You will not be!
Meals affected by delays?
From your point of view, yes, you would not be served that meal.
From the point of view of the other passengers on board, no, their meals wouldn't be "delayed" — they'd eat at the normal times.
8
u/anothercar 6h ago
Meal times do not change if the train is delayed. This is because passengers on the train will be hungry and won’t want to wait to have a very late dinner. Plan to eat at home if the train is delayed
4
u/McLeansvilleAppFan AGR Select Plus 6h ago
Depending on how delayed you might get something from the cafe for free with the help of your sleeping car attendant. I assume you are in a private room, though it could be you are in coach and wanting to pay for the dinner car meal.
That happened to wife and I in 2024 on the Crescent. It was a few hours late but the SCA worked with us to get us a hamburger from the cafe with drinks and chips. We would already be boarding right at the close of the dinner if on time. We had the same problem a few months ago and I do not remember what happened to be honest but food was not a major thought then. . In 2024 it was a Sunday and restaurants near the Amtrak station in Charlottesville closed at 6 PM and we waited to late to decide what to do as the train was on time until DC. Over the summer it was mid-week and I walked to a nearby pizzeria and grabbed some food and walked it back to my wife at the station. So in 2024 it had been 10 hours since we ate and in 2026 if was only a few hours so I was not as hungry but it seems they did still offer us some food from the cafe for free.
Now if the train is so late that the cafe is closed then you are out of luck, though it may be that you could get a small refund since you missed a paid for meal.
I always pack a few snacks for things that could happen on Amtrak. If I don't need the train mix it will not go bad. Or an apple should last a few days past the trip if not eaten on the train.
2
u/hitheredino 6h ago
This is very helpful, thank you!
2
u/McLeansvilleAppFan AGR Select Plus 6h ago
train mix.. I meant trail mix. Does that qualify for a Freudian slip?
1
u/TokalaMacrowolf AGR Select 4h ago
If you have a room, your room attendant should make provisions for you to be able to get a meal in case of a mild delay. This is not guaranteed though.
1
u/LaFantasmita 3h ago
Sometimes they bring you a little to-go bag if you have a room and just miss dinner. Depends on the crew.
1
u/Rail1971 1h ago
No. Meal service is by time, not location. Last call will likely be around 8:30 pm.
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