Another topic on service from Florida prompted this one. While we can all dream of a reincarnation of the South Wind, City of Miami, or even Amtrak’s Floridian for Florida to Chicago service, I think most of us realize that’s not happening.
But, it seems to me the existing schedule of the Silver Star and Capitol Ltd work well with a through train via Washington - about 46 hours. Yes it’s two overnights, but so are two night out trains in the west, why not in the east.
A couple cars could be switched to a regional at Washington for NY (as was often done pre Amtrak). And of course the Palmetto continues to serve the NY to GA market (and should continue to JAX).
The Meteor becomes the primary Florida train, which seems to be Amtrak’s current direction. This eliminates Washington switching and servicing of the Capitol and the useless almost full day layover of the Capitol in DC. What other LD market has this level of service? Time for Amtrak to try something different.
But, it seems to me the existing schedule of the Silver Star and Capitol Ltd work well with a through train via Washington - about 46 hours. Yes it’s two overnights, but so are two night out trains in the west, why not in the east.
A couple cars could be switched to a regional at Washington for NY (as was often done pre Amtrak). And of course the Palmetto continues to serve the NY to GA market (and should continue to JAX).
The Meteor becomes the primary Florida train, which seems to be Amtrak’s current direction. This eliminates Washington switching and servicing of the Capitol and the useless almost full day layover of the Capitol in DC. What other LD market has this level of service? Time for Amtrak to try something different.
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