Search results

Upon further reflection, "kinks" wasn't the right word! Mostly, it has seemed like the Floridian has been even later, on average, than the Star had been leading up to the change (and has faced more problems like the toilet pumping mentioned above). Looking at the ASMAD archive, the average delay...

Until this most recent update, I had all sorts of issues when using Firefox--can't remember what the names of the errors were, but it would throw errors frequently and not be able to complete my query and would also be very slow. BUT--since this update, everything is lightning fast, and I've had...

Although I did share in your mirthful reaction to this, he did say after this that they are working on adding more cars. Of course, not a one of us will hold our breaths, but given the Borealis's success + the probable desire of Amtrak to hold it up as an example of a "new corridor service that...

So, the Floridian is certainly off to a rocky start and has had bad luck (freight interference and Amtrak equipment issues). I'm taking the Floridian 9 days from now on Sunday, the 24th from RGH to CHI. What are the odds that these early kinks/issues will have been worked out to at least some...

I agree completely that the Viewliner diner design is basically perfect! My one experience was really nice--the dining car felt so light, airy, and with the etched glass and wood paneling etc., quite refined, actually! It was great. Honestly, the Viewliner II diner is the favorite car I've...

As others have pointed out in posts above, it's a silly (though significant) data error. Yes, the Floridian is and will terminate in Chicago and Miami, not Toledo and Delray Beach, FL. No need to worry (unless you're worrying about IT errors, that is!)

Yes, this is very interesting and honestly pretty shocking to me! The Borealis was sold to MN folks (advocates, residents, and politicians alike) with the current departure times, times that have been advertised as appropriately offsetting the Empire Builder's arrival/departure times. In...

I am glad I got booked ahead of schedule because prices were already high (understandable, given that I'm traveling the week of Thanksgiving!) on the Borealis back when I bought our tickets. Can't wait to ride the Borealis for the first time less than a month from now!

To expand on what WW said, MnDOT staff confirmed this rail congestion near SPUD is the issue. He claimed that the freight dispatchers have a "really hard time" getting trains through that area, since, as WWW said, there are over 60 a day. If the Borealis is "out of slot," then yes, it gets stuck...

$435 million for a single, relatively little used interchange in a city of under 90,000--Duluth, MN! Crazy money even then, but no $3 billion! Still is more money than the state of MN has ever invested into passenger rail, ha. Even if the Northern Lights Express to Duluth happens, they've...

From the perspective of the younger generation and knowing people who are not railfans at all, who have never or rarely take trains, and who grew up with the internet, the fact is that many/most people do use Google in such a way that this new info source will at least expose a lot of people to...

Aha, I see! I had only seen part of the video in passing--now that you mention it I remember the conductor issues. But he definitely disliked the Horizons, from what I recall from his commentary. I just can't imagine they're as bad as some say, though yesterday I watched a Borealis trip video...

Barring any personal or weather-related things that come up, I'm booked for my first-ever Borealis trip as the last leg of my Thanksgiving Amtrak odyssey home to Minnesota from North Carolina! Will just be in coach, which will be a step down from the Floridian roomette that my girlfriend and I...

To put my two cents in: I know this is a (probably) temporary thing, but I am kinda excited for it! Had been going back and forth about doing an Amtrak odyssey from NC back to MN for Thanksgiving, which I did last year for the first time for Christmas; was also my first-ever Roomette experience...

The sad reaction is for the wait, not your informative post, @PaTrainFan ! Thanks for the info. I'd love to ride the Pennsylvanian someday. It feels like this is what could have happened, worst case, with the Borealis service, had CPKC and the DOTs insisted on the associated track improvements...

As far as I'm aware, this makes sense because I think they're slowly bringing Horizons to the Downeaster, such that in the interim before the Airos come along, I believe the plan is to make it an entirely Horizon train (similar to the Cascades). The Downeaster has until recently used Amfleet Is...

Oh, that's great to hear! I should have looked up if they had options or not. Thanks!

WisARP explains this each month as "More passengers on 1333 than 1340 is expected simply due to the schedule." I believe that refers mostly to the schedule and preexisting ridership of the Hiawatha trip that 1333 replaced. While some passengers I'm sure take the Empire Builder eastbound, I...

Good info! Man, will the Carolinian need more than 6 cars in the future, though. Ridership is increasingly so much each year, and it often sells out as it is. I'd have to assume having 7 or 8 cars on the Carolinian is much closer in view than a desired, but not in official planning cards yet...

Makes sense that they combined those routes, at least for efficiency's sake! I can actually answer you question as the Carolinas Association for Passenger Trains (CAPT; soon rebranding to All Aboard Carolinas!) included info on what consultants were selected for each, and no, they did not...