Train Help - Penn Station Specifics

Skullo

Hey, I know it's hard to believe with me being from NYC and all, but I have extremely little experience with Penn Station (Only left from it once!). Now, I'm assuming it's run like most other train stations, so I think anyone in general could help. Anyway, here's the dilemma.

My lady is taking a train from Rochester into Penn today. Now, that's all cool, she made her train, but I just got a call from her mom letting me know she forgot her phone. So, is there any way to find out what gate a train will be arriving at ahead of time? Or am I going to have to sit and stare at the Information Board and wait until it tells me. The plan is to get there early and sit outside the gate early, to aide her in finding me phoneless (not only is she really insecure when she doesn't have her phone on trips, she's never taken the train before!). I'm assuming it's also good to get there about a half hour or so early, no?

So yeah:

Anyway to find out in advance about train arrivals, or must I wait like everyone else?
Would I be able to wait at the gate for her, or do I have to wait in that big general area in the station?

galenblade

I used Penn a great deal when I traveled to and from Boston. The Rochester line is Amtrak, correct?

If that's the case, you'll probably have to go and watch the board for arrivals. They're pretty good about putting it up a few minutes before the train lets out.

Also, if you go to the Amtrak waiting area, it's a seperate section of Penn from the subways, LIRR, and NJ Transit. Every Amtrak train that disembarks there goes through that central area. If your lady comes in, she'll most likely have to walk out of her gate through the central area, and you can see each other pretty handily if you're waiting by the gate.

Skullo

Thanks.

Yeah, it is Amtrak. And I knew that they all go into the same central area, I was just wondering if there was anywhere I could get CLOSER to the actual train. She's most likely going to be VERY nervous when she gets out.

Thanks for the help though. Guess I'll be leaving work early to look at that board, since I that's the only way I'll know.

I guess we can consider this solved?

Fellhand

Penn station isn't that big. I wouldn't worry about it. If it's Amtrak she's going to have to walk throught the common area toward the 'back' of the station near the big board. I'd be there looking around trying to stand out a little.

nexuscrawler

I'm pretty sure the Amtrak waiting area in the main section has monitors that show arrivals and epatures