The next gen Acela cafe cars don't have tables, instead they have a standing area with small shelves where you can eat and stand. Even some of the first gen Acela's don't have tables, but they do have a few stools and high top seating.

However, if available when booking you can get 4 seats around a table facing each other.

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Posted by MSTiger33

Member since Oct 2007

21426 posts

Posted on 11/29/25 at 1:11 pm to jlovel7

I travel Amtrak a bit.

Regional Rail - more stops so longer trip. Coach is no assigned seats; Business is assigned seating

Acela - less stops faster service- business assigned seating; first assigned seating and food and beverage service.

If traveling with kids then use business if can get a good deal so you can pick your seats. If just two adults then consider upping to first class on Acela.

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Posted by Socrates Johnson

Madisonville

Member since Apr 2012

2360 posts

Posted on 11/29/25 at 1:29 pm to imjustafatkid

We took the Surfliner over the summer. It's nice. If I recall, there was only coach or business class. We did business, which allowed us to sit around a table, but there were 5 of us, so someone sat across the aisle. Bar car isn't a bar car, just a cafe window. Morning train had free pastries for business class.

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Posted by thumperpait

Member since Nov 2005

3428 posts

Posted on 11/29/25 at 1:29 pm to jlovel7

There is a video on YouTube of two sisters from North Korea taking a train from NY to Boston. They were in awe of the scenery on the way. We take for granted what living here means. And they couldn't believe how nice Americans are.

LINK

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Posted by PJinAtl

Atlanta

Member since Nov 2007

13944 posts

Posted on 11/29/25 at 3:42 pm to dewster

quote:
The NEC part of Amtrak is one of the only routes where I think they are competitive with most airlines

Isn't that because the NEC is the only place Amtrak owns the trackage and can control the traffic without sharing?

Everywhere else they get trackage rights from the freight haulers and have to yield to the owners' trains.

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