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Last weekend I rode the Palmetto from Florence, SC to Richmond, VA, and return, connecting to a train to Ashland, Va for a college weekend of basketball and banquets.
I had heard that ridership had fallen off. Maybe it was because of President's weekend or maybe lack of equipment, but the Palmetto was packed.
Northbound there were 4 coaches, but only 3 open. The fourth was apparently held for the crowd boarding at Richmond and points north. I was in business class and it had several empty seats but was very pleasant with its 2/1 leather seating.
Southbound, on a Sunday it only had 3 coaches and was sold out Saturday night when I inquired, but 5 seats were available Sunday morning. For some reason, the cafe/business car had been replaced with a full cafe and recently refurbished long distance coach for business riders. Good thing as the 25 passenger in it would not have fit in the regular car.
If there is a silver lining to the economy, it is that the railroads can run Amtrak on time: 5 minutes early NB and 15 on SB trip. There were several running meets where we took the siding but kept moving at a slow speed as another train passed on the main and we continued out of the siding without stopping. The dispatchers are awake. I do wonder if it has something to do with moving them back out to the Division offices from Jax where they were centralized in the early 90's.
Food wasn't bad (I think the bread for sandwiches, burgers is much improved). Hard to go wrong with a cold beer and chips. Crew was mostly friendly and efficient.
There was one downside to the trip. As I was waiting for my Richmond connection at 6pm, they announced that it was being delayed by 'a CSX train problem in Williamsburg'. The train was sold out so many passengers in the station were grumbling. A call to my buddies saved me from a long wait. As we were finishing dinner in the Ironhorse restaurant around 10pm, the train came trundling through town.
Overall a good trip and certainly beats a drive on I-95.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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I had a similar loooonggggg wait for the 6pm connection in Richmond the last time I went to the Henry Clay Inn.
Wouldn't it be nice if the Carolinian and Palmetto could add Ashland as a flag stop!
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Glad to see the Palmetto is doing well, and again I apologize for my misguided suggestions about it at one time! And thank you for a most interesting and informative trip report!!!
When I was riding home from Richmond a few weeks back, my train from Newport News/Williamsburg was also late, both getting into Main St (where I boarded) and further time lost at the other Richmond stop. It was not a CSX problem, either; it was the equipment. I wound up getting into NY Penn Station about 1 1/2 hours late--the only late arrival I had on my overall FL trip, which included Silver Meteor down, Silver Star up to Columbia, and another Silver Star from Columbia to Richmond, all on time (though the SS was late into Columbia, it made up the time en route to Richmond). Anyway, getting back to the REgional from Newport News, when I arrived in NY Penn Station, I used a Red Cap to get me to my Empire Service train (because I was TIRED!), and he said the Newport News train is often late lately, esp on weekends.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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notelvis- An Ashland flag stop would be great, although the Carolinian is a more likely candidate since it runs well ahead of the 6pm 'local' from Newport News. On the southbound train at 9am from Ashland, a passenger apparently was afraid the train wouldn't stop and managed to open the door and tried to jump from the vestibule. We were delayed boarding a couple minutes while he received a tongue lashing from the conductor.
Sojourner, your suggestions are always welcome as you have more Amtrak experience than most of us.
It will be interesting to see how the money for 'high speed rail' is doled out. Certainly the Southeast HSR is a possible recipient (especially with Senator Kerry's involvement). Unfortunately this would probably mean an Ashland bypass as the preferred route seems to be a left turn at Doswell and take the former C&O directly into Main St. Station.
What I don't understand about the Palmetto is the reluctance to add another coach. It could be that the crowds only appear around the weekend and Amtrak is unable to manage anything other than a fixed consist 7 days a week. Maybe repairing Amfleet cars with stimulus money will help.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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I think the stimulus money is likely to go to Amfleet car repair, so that will be a big help.
I also noticed that Amtrak has reduced the price of ACELA trains for the spring to $99 NYC to DC on weekdays, if one buys 2 weeks in advance. If they could add some cars to those (no idea how that words) so they could get the price down to current Regional prices, maybe they could free up some of the NE Regionals for other use!!!
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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