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You’re right, I stand corrected—just did a test booking and there are tickets available next week on 90 from WAS-NYP (but not on 80 for the day I looked, interestingly). So I guess they are taking on local passengers now going north (I knew they did going south, since 89 combined with the former...

Also, unless this has changed recently, the Palmetto doesn’t have to hold at any stops from WAS northward because there are no local passengers (this was marked as a D on the timetable back when they existed). So as soon as people exiting the train are off, the train can leave. This means if the...

Thanks for sharing—this is fascinating. Overnight trains aside, overall the schedule holds up pretty well (and NY-Albany service is more frequent now, unless those were on a separate timetable in 1968). You can’t say that for most routes off the NEC and perhaps California corridors. Interesting...

Usually when I’ve seen people without Amtrak tickets, it’s from WIL-PHL or boarding at stops in NJ out of confusion that it’s not the SEPTA/NJT train. When someone asks at, say, New Brunswick if it’s the right train, I’d ask to see the ticket and if they show one of the pink NJT ones, clearly...

I agree about Roanoke being walkable and fun, and also agree that RVR isn’t worth a stop—nothing is walkable and the only thing to do there, weather permitting, is to sit outside on the patio and watch trains roll by. RVM on the other hand is less than a mile from Capitol Square and there are...

Never rode the Pennsylvanian, but on the (former) Three Rivers years ago, everyone rode backwards NYP-PHL, then forward the rest of the way. On Keystone trains, the seats are usually 50/50 and some through passengers try to switch during the PHL layover.

I hate to miss out on the scenery, but have found that I do best when the room is as dark as possible (window and interior blinds all closed tight). If I really can’t sleep, or have a long stop and wonder where I am (like Toledo), I’ll crack the blinds open for a bit, but the outside light...

Any idea why 151/66 skip Burke Center? I know there’s only a single platform. It’s a shame considering that Burke has plenty of parking (same as when the stop at Franconia was discontinued years ago), while Alexandria doesn’t. Most people in Fairfax in particular need to drive the last mile...

Going by memory here so I may be slightly off… Right now the first of the VA trains doesn’t arrive in DC until 9 AM-ish, so any of the earlier morning trains (including the Vermonter) would start in DC. And after about 4 PM, the only northbound trains coming from VA are the Carolinian (80)...

Maine and Vermont are easy, it’s NH that is tricky. If you just want to say you’ve been to New Hampshire, either the Downeaster or the Vermonter (with its one stop in Claremont, NH) would fit the bill. You can also use the Boston leg of the Lake Shore Limited to bridge the Maine and Vermont...

Parentheses give the date of departure from the first station. That’s how you can tell apart multiple trains with the same number that are both moving. For example, for the Silvers, in each direction you basically have a train that’s in SC/GA/FL and a train that’s in the Northeast on any given...

I haven’t been in a Viewliner sleeper in years, but one trick with the luggage cubby over the hallway that always worked for me: lift the suitcase to the top bunk (which you can pull down a bit if needed), then just transfer it straight across to the cubby. It’s less awkward than trying to get...

Yes, I remember that schedule! Took it twice from MET to BOS, then a daytime Regional back. 11:30/midnight departure was very doable for the NJ stops (and 1 am in Manhattan felt very different from 2-3 am).

I’ve taken 65/66/67 many times over the years, mostly on the southern end, sometimes the northern. Security at NYP is a nontrivial issue, and all-night places everywhere seem fewer than pre-pandemic, perhaps for staffing reasons (like 24-hour diners, concessions at highway rest areas, etc.). But...

My hope (while it’s a long shot) is that if corridors add connectivity, that’s a plus for ridership on the LDs too. There are a lot of gaps between LDs on the map where it would be easy to slot in connecting trains on daytime runs. And while some people might be OK with bus connections (and they...

I like the idea of extending the train. I think it depends on how the other corridors evolve for connectivity. Coming from ALX, 66/67 are great for day trips to Richmond (due to the stop at RVM!) and even Williamsburg, and I think you’d still need a corridor train on that route. But, what about...

One thought on the Canadian border crossing/sealed trains point. What if there were two customs facilities, one at the border and one at Toronto, with no stops between them? For the Maple Leaf, passengers could get off the train at Niagara Falls (ON), be processed, and if traveling to any of the...

Yes it’s great to have something to get excited about—and will be good news especially for getting up to Maine etc. But if it’s truly deadheading WAS-NPN, how much would they really save on an SCA? Some revenue has gotta beat no revenue...

I’m wondering if the Washington turn is to keep the sleeper close to the NEC in case it’s needed elsewhere, and avoiding the potential for a short turn or misconnect in NPN if CSX is problematic. (Does the 67 consist come back as the same day’s 66 normally?) But personally I’m a little miffed as...

Parts of the plans are quite positive, but reading between the lines I don’t see how this bodes well for LDs. If the movement is toward self-powered trainsets including on routes like the Palmetto, and aggressive fleet retirements, the equipment pool needed for a full slate of overnight trains...