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With Amtrak's new quarterly Timetables, the next one is due out near the end of January.
I'm hearing through the Carolina Association for Passenger Trains that with the new timetable, the northbound Silver Star (#92) will operate three hours later breaking all same-day conections for points west at DC and NY. There is also some talk that the Star will lose one of it's sleepers and the heritage fleet diner in favor of a converted amcafe as on the Lake Shore Limited.
This will improve scheduled train times in North Carolina at Hamlet, Southern Pines, Cary, and Raleigh (but break the somewhat tenuous connection in Raleigh with the Piedmont). It will also get the Star off the Silver Meteor's markers departing Miami.
Anyone else hearing about this or of any other projected schedule adjustments in January?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Confirmed, Mr. Presley--
As of a few moments ago, the website shows a Mar 29 itinerary #92 leaving Jax 1057P arr Wash 314P. For an itinerary Jax to Pittsburgh, the only itinerary offered is JAX-98-WAS-29-PGH. That means an eightt hour "layover" in Wash.
For an itinerary Columbia to Pgh, same date, the site returns "no same day connection available".
Lest I can arrange to "hook up' with one another I know in the Wash area (such as for a workday lunch), methinks that I have made my last Chi-Orlando Amtrak journey (all since '04 have been Auto Train and in conjunction with visiting friends in the Wash area as well as 'stocking up' - bootlegging I guess - on the superb Virginia varietals I know and are simply not sold at retail in Illinois).
The long Westward Chicago layover has always been a part of passenger rail travel, but Wash? Of course, there are many a worse place to have a seven hour layover than Wash, and folk like Ms. Sojourner would put the time to best advantage. But how 'bout the "rest of us" who simply are not tourists and just want to get there?
City of Miami Member # 2922
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I have a reservation Sarasota-Baltimore on #92 April 4th. The new 4:10 pm arrival time cuts it pretty close for a 7:30 curtain at the Lyric Opera House even though it's walking distance from Penn Station. Probably too close. It is a very expensive train ride even though the cost today is almost double what I paid a few months ago. Also I am more interested in seeing FL in daylight hours than NC & VA which I have already seen from the Crescent and the Piedmont. I'll probably cancel and fly - if I go at all.
sojourner Member # 3134
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From S Florida, I'd much rather take the Silver Meteor to Washington & spend the time there then spend it on the train going to Tampa and back! But of course were I going from Orlando that might be different. But . . . probably not. I really like all the free museums in DC! I'd give it a try, Mr Norman, after all, it's a "free" stopover. Only--not good in snowy weather perhaps!
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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I'm afraid, Mr. Miami, I would not want to place my bets on "The Capulet's Clipper" to make it on time.
The Montague's would have something up their sleeve.
notelvis Member # 3071
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I really wish that we could get a separate Tampa section back for both of the Silver trains so that one doesn't have to do the Tampa shuffle.
As for my needs, a couple of trips to the Orlando area each year, the new schedule is an improvement. I can see myself driving now to/from Southern Pines or Cary and taking the Star roundtrip from there.
City of Miami, I'm curious whether you would be able to look at changing your reservation from the Silver Star to the Silver Meteor out of Sebring perhaps? Amtrak may be willing to let you do this given that it was a schedule change that didn't materialize until after you made your reservations. Give them a call and see. If your first call doesn't get you anywhere, try again and talk to a different person. It's worth a try.
palmland Member # 4344
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The schedule change really doesn't help my town, unless you are a very early riser. For our northeast trips its much easier to make the one hour drive to Florence and take the Palmetto.
It sounds to me like the Silver Star is starting to resemble the fondly remembered 'Chicken Bone Special'. A named reserved for the secondary SCL trains to FL. They had some variation on a cafe car and many coaches (with more added at the likes of Hamlet and Florence) for a daytime trip from North FL to DC (midnight) and a very early second am arrival in NYC. A single sleeper was usually added for the determined rail traveler. The trains were always packed.
This wouldn't be a bad idea if they would give the Meteor a significant upgrade so that it became more of an eastern EB. Perhaps give GL another try with a little marketing this time.
I am surprised that they don't try to spread the schedules of the southbound trains as well. Both trains arrive Jax within 2.5 hours of each other.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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That one on the Seaboard was the preceeding poster's namesake; the Palmetto on the ACL. The Palmetto did have another more "genteel" name used by the folk who customarily traveled Pullman - the "Carolina Creeper".
These trains were the mainstay for those on either Pass or reduced rate tickets - as such were restricted on the likes of Silvers and Champs.
palmland Member # 4344
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So true Mr Norman. The SAL also had the Sunland and the ACL the Havana Special aka the Gulf Coast Special after Castro appeared on the scene. My one trip on the latter train to my home in Wilmington, DE was quite an experience. The conductor or brakeman acted primarily as bouncer as 'pass the bag that holds the bottle' was faithfully observed in the nighttime hours.
DPM once mentioned the Palmland's delightful heavyweight grill lounge car. He recommended it for its ice cold beer. He was right.
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