Silver Star vs. Silver Meteor

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Oreius

OBS Chief
Joined
Jun 5, 2012
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696
I am planning to perhaps take my first ever sleeper car trip from Orlando to PHL later this year using my Guest Reward points. I know there are 2 options to choose from: The Meteor and The Star. The Meteor has a diner, whereas the Star does not.

Now here's my question. What kind of seating does the diner have? I am a large person and cannot fit into the booths in a typical Amfleet Lounge car. If the diner has booths, then I would have to forgo the Meteor and settle for the Star. I would also be on the Star longer than I would be on the Meteor; I want to enjoy the experience of riding in the sleeper. Taking the Star would also cost less points, so if I can't partake in the diner why pay extra for it?
 
Oreius said:
You don't get a free meal in the lounge on the Star? Weird....
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Not really, since get a lower Sleeper fare instead.
BTW you can ask your SCA to bring your food to your room on the Star too. I have done it, so I can say this based on personal experience.
 
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All Amtrak diners have booths, I think the FRA banned unsecured chairs. The booths vary in size somewhat. The booths in the PPC are tighter than the Superliner diner booths, for example.
 
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I travel on the Meteor quite often. I have seen very large people squeeze into the booths, however, they appeared to be quite uncomfortable.
 
As was said, have your SCA bring your meals to your room ( tips appreciated) if you ride the Meteor.

Hopefully the New Viewliner Diners will start going into service soon and IINM they have provisions for handicap seating that perhaps you could ask about using if you don't fit in the rather tight booths?

If you want more train time and want to save points, take the Starvationbut remember the Cafe Car has booths also.

The Viewliner Sleepers are exactly the same on both Trains.
 
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I'll agree with Wick Moorman that on LD trains, the dining car is part of the product! Its very important for us to enjoy a meal on the train during LD trips. Its not just the meal that is important but the change of the scenery and the discussions with other travelers that add to the enjoyment. We've had the pleasure of dining with really nice people from all over the world on our trips, some who shared some really interesting and incredible stories. We avoid the Star for LD overnight trips. Without a a stop in dining car the trip feels far longer and is just not as comfortable.
 
I look forward to the DC experience as part of the whole train experience. When I went to Orlando, I purposely had a longer layover to miss the Star and travel on the Meteor. Hopefully, once the Viewliner DC come on line the Star will get its DC back.
 
The one cool thing about the star is that if you are traveling southbound to miami, you can get off at lakeland and have almost 2 hours to explore and then reboard the star on its way back from Tampa. There are many restaurants and shops within walking distance of the station. Just let your sleeping car attendant know your intentions, if your are coach I guess it wouldnt matter.
 
Although folks riding between Tampa and the NEC have no alternative to the Star, it also functions as a NEC-North Carolina and intra-Florida train. Few of those passengers used the diner anyway. I've been in the diner on the SB Star passing through Rocky Mount -- prime dinner hour -- and my son and I were the only people in the diner. Happened twice. Whatever the merits of the experiment are, it was no surprise to me that the Star was chosen for the experiment.

On a single-night train I don't consider a diner to be essential. Would not surprise me if in 10-15 years all diners are gone east of the Mississippi except for Auto Train.
 
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I think that is feasible only with a significantly improved offering from the cafe. Yes, it can be done and has been done elsewhere. But in all cases the food that is offered, often at ones accommodation is much more elaborate than what is available currently in the Star cafe.
 
If I make this trip, I will probably settle for the Meteor. I will have to connect in PHL to a Keystone for my final destination at ELT. I can be at Elizabethtown at 12:24 PM the next day. Whereas if I take the Star, I would not get back until 9:41 PM.
 
Also, I have a disability, Autism, which makes it very hard for me to socialize with other people. I know in the diner they do group seating, and that makes me feel uncomfortable. I can just have my meal brought to my room as a couple commentators suggested. So, I will still be able to get the included meals if I ride the Meteor.
 
dlagrua said:
I'll agree with Wick Moorman that on LD trains, the dining car is part of the product! Its very important for us to enjoy a meal on the train during LD trips. Its not just the meal that is important but the change of the scenery and the discussions with other travelers that add to the enjoyment. We've had the pleasure of dining with really nice people from all over the world on our trips, some who shared some really interesting and incredible stories. We avoid the Star for LD overnight trips. Without a a stop in dining car the trip feels far longer and is just not as comfortable.
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+1

Very well said. My feelings exactly.
 
Oreius said:
Also, I have a disability, Autism, which makes it very hard for me to socialize with other people. I know in the diner they do group seating, and that makes me feel uncomfortable.
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I am leaning that way myself. Except it doesn't bother me. I am aware that it bothers the others at the table when I don't engage very well in their never ending small talk.

It use to be easier on cruises back when they would sit me at a table with 11 others in the MDR. With that many, no one seems to notice that I not activity engaging in their small talk.
 
I saw pictures of the Roomette online. I'm not sure if I'll be able to use the in-room toilet. I am a large person. Does the Viewliner have a handicapped bathroom and shower available? I might be more comfortable walking down the hall to use the facilities.
 
Not the current ones, all the toilets are in the rooms.

There is a shower room for people in the roomettes.

The new Viewliner II sleepers eliminate the in-roomette toilet and add one in a separate room. At the current rate, they'll be entering service around 2050 or so.
 
Oreius said:
I saw pictures of the Roomette online. I'm not sure if I'll be able to use the in-room toilet. I am a large person. Does the Viewliner have a handicapped bathroom and shower available? I might be more comfortable walking down the hall to use the facilities.
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There is an accessible room in each sleeper car. They are sold to disabled passengers at roomette price. Within 2 weeks of departure, if not sold, any passenger may purchase the room at the bedroom price. The restroom is in the room and is larger.
 
If once you are on-board, and you find you truly can't use the Roomette toilet facility, I don't think there is any rule prohibiting you from using one of the common toilets back in coach (other than possibly personal disgust of its condition :) ).
 
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