Recent content by Palmland

Sure, I was thinking level boarding, no traps required for high level cars (assuming Amtrak goes that route for some LD equipment). Once on board passengers could presumably use the in car elevator.

This is a first look at the cost for the Sunrail Sunshine Corridor May be a paywall, here are some excerpts: “Expanding SunRail to Orlando’s airport and the region’s tourism corridor would boost ridership at least sixfold in the first year of operation but come at an eye-popping cost of about...

I wonder if the specs for the new high level equipment will require high and low level boarding. NJT tried to do it, but would not be suitable for Amtrak.

Instead of one of those too rich chocolate deserts, they should just offer passengers a Guinness! 🍺

How about fresh biscuits and country ham too? Would be a great way to introduce a real diner back on the Crescent.

I wonder if the new high level platforms could include a small enclosed waiting area for transferring passengers. The one at the center platform in Wilmington works quite well.

I agree RVR would not be a good transfer point because of the lack of frequent NEC service if the Star is late (and unhappy sleeper passengers if they have to transfer before WAS). But with a third run thru track added a couple years ago, the infrastructure should be ok, especially during day...

I wonder if there is an opportunity to add a second Carolinian on the route of the Crescent. Combine it with the afternoon Roanoke train (66/151) at Lynchburg. Presumably the ‘new’ siding at Lynchburg could still be used to facilitate switching. VA and NC would both benefit so maybe share the cost.

I wouldn’t put it past Amtrak to ignore this opportunity to market a one seat ride Miami to Chicago as @Amtrak25 mentions. But, done right, the dwell time at WAS would be minimal with maybe the power changed to eliminate fueling. The crew could certainly work through (total time maybe 45 hrs vs...

Unfortunately, there was an over reaction to poorly run state institutions. Rather than reform them we eliminated them and are now paying the price. I worked in the Delaware State Hospital as a volunteer one summer in high school. I was assigned to the male geriatric ward. It was clean and well...

There may well be track work but doubt that’s the reason the Star is apparently terminating in WAS. Very unlikely a track program would last 7 months - Sept-March ‘25 (latest you can book).

It appears Herzog has finished the track work. The new signal is operable for the Sunrail track. The platform has its new lights installed and according to workers just some trim work, speakers, and signage is left. The pedestrian crossing has the lights installed and most of the cross walk...

The comments on the Texas Eagle thread about poor customer service made me think that Amtrak should adopt some of Chick-fil-A hiring and training techniques. Always friendly and efficient. And the LSA should have more responsibility (and money) to act as a manager to insure consistency of...

About time- the 27 hour Washington layover for the CL is certainly poor utilization- and bad management. If the Star/Capitol becomes the new Floridian it would please those of us in the southland. And I suspect Amtrak would be happy to a have another slot for Avelia service.

I think that was true for many trains and certainly on the Coast Starlight with its PPC and lots of amenities, and wine tasting on some of the western trains and real china and flatware on all trains. Amtrak seemed determined to provide mediocre service on all trains- no exceptions! But I like...