Sold out train tickets.?

Question

Hi! My bf and I did not book our tickets on time for Amtrak. We are only going from NYC to Syracuse, NY. Do you think if we buy tickets for a different time and get ont he earlier train they would allow it? Once when I was coming home from college I booked the wrong train tyime and the conductor didnt seem to care and told me to get on. They dont check the train tickets before you get on, they do it while the train is already moving. What do you think? What would they do If we just go on the train with tickets from a later train.

Thanks!!!!

Answer 1

Don't try it.  The four trains each day between NY and Syracuse are all-reserved, and you need a ticket for that exact date and time.  The conductor will know that the train is all sold out and won't want anyone standing.  And these days they do check tickets before they even let you through the gate at Penn Station.  True, the gate check isn't as careful as the check once you're on the train, but they do check and if they don't like what they see, they won't let you through the gate and down the escalator.