Eastern Railroad Discussion > Amtrak Train 49 - Late For Sure Ltd. - Lake Erie Land - Feb 2nd

Monday February 2, 2026
Vermilion, OH
24 degrees, light snow, damp with a slight breeze

If Old Phil the groundhog got up early this morning here in North Central Ohio he would not have seen his shadow. Neither would he have seen Train 49 the "Lake Shore Limited" this morning either as it was 7 hours and 22 minutes late arriving here 11 minutes after noon. Back where I grew up in Upstate New York we called groundhogs woodchucks.

1. The Late for Sure Limited has been rather a regular thing here the past week or so, and it took a little effort to get the energy to go out for yet another one. But trackside I went, down to the Rail Park off Main Street. The temps are much milder today, but the dampness has set in and the wind had a distinct chill to it. Out back we had an ice breaker come through a day or two ago and it opened up a channel of open water that is migrating towards shore. Maybe some eagles will show up, but in the meantime I think the open water gives the air a distinct unpleasant chill. By the time I got trackside a light snow was falling. I expected 49 to be on Track 1, and didn't wish to get out of the car too soon, but when I heard horns to the west I knew a train was coming east on Track 2 and if I didn't get out of the car and across the tracks I'd likely get blocked. So out I go, and sure enough here comes Train 547, the mty coal out of Monroe, MI heading back for another reload out of Shire Oaks, PA. He's got NS 4646 and 4146 as power and he's a long one. I didn't want another train blocking the background and 49 is due in about 90 seconds on Track 1.

2. Since I have gotten quite a few daylight Amtrak photos recently, I decided to take a chance on a slightly new and risky angle. I knew the train was travelling close to 80 mph and the timing would have to be pretty precise. I'm not a hold the trigger and let it go off like a machine gun photographer, just doesn't work for me. Also, I'd have to bank on cars not pulling all the way up close to the gates .... and now also for the mty coal train to clear. The Amtrak holds back a bit from my timing calculation and the coal train hustles along. Now the Amtrak headlight shows and here he comes ... traffic stops way back, the coal hoppers clear and 3 seconds later BANG !  Got it !!

3. Amtrak 90 and 127 are the power. The building on the left was at one time locally rumored to incorporate the original 1852 built Cleveland & Toledo RR depot (predecessor to the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern) moved from my side of the street and across the tracks from its' original site ... basically just to the left of the nose of NS 4646 in Image #1. However, after a bit of research, the rumors proved false, but it does incorporate a similar vent in the peak like the 1879 built LS&MS depot.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/02/26 14:11 by train1275.

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4. From this angle and perspective I could not glean the car numbers to the extent I am confident of presenting you the complete consist breakdown. Maybe someone can fill in the blanks, I'd appreciate it. In any case, along with Amtrak 90 and 127 as power there were 4 coaches, a cafe car, a diner, three sleepers and the baggage car.

5. Pretty sure this is Cafe Car 28001.

6. Diner 68007 "Columbia"

 

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7. Sleepers trail the diner.

8. Sleeper ....  looks like Amtrak 62517 "Seneca River"

9. And trailing with the markers is baggage car 61008.

I hear, as posted on trainorders, that tonight 48 and 49 are cancelled, so no "Late For Sure Limited" edition tomorrow. Not sure what Trains 40 and 41 the "Floridian" might have to offer.

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Got a good chuckle out of your subject line. Excellent images as always.
—Mac

MacBeau Wrote:
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> Got a good chuckle out of your subject line.
> Excellent images as always.
> —Mac

When the Lake Shore Limited runs late thats whats its called the "Late For Sure Limited". Why? because its a guarantee is gonna be late no matter what it does to even try to make up time. 

Michael Fair
Royal Oak, MI

Nice angle. I've been skunked at the last minute by a driver snuggling up to the gate. But chasing trains is always more fun than work and that is what I was doing while the Late for Sure was scrambling through Vermilion. I was blessed for some years of working near a Conrail Yard and could park there and eat my brownbag lunch, listen to the scanner and shoot anything of interest.
Gonut

I was finally able to get the consist accurately recorded.

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