Atlantic Coast Service discussion

[west point]

When ACL based in Wilmington , NC had what 4 trains at least?

 

[NYP2NFL01]

That is the way it used to be in the Star before the Super Star happened. So they have just reverted back to the old Star car order for both the Star and the Meteor apparently. Which of course makes the Meteor car order different for now.

I just purchased round trip Silver Service travel for 4/30 (Silver Star) and 5/8 (Silver Meteor). My Star sleeper is 9111 and the Meteor sleeper is 9812. Have they done away with the #10 sleeper car as they seem to have done on the Lake Shore Limited?

 

[jis]

I just purchased round trip Silver Service travel for 4/30 (Silver Star) and 5/8 (Silver Meteor). My Star sleeper is 9111 and the Meteor sleeper is 9812. Have they done away with the #10 sleeper car as they seem to have done on the Lake Shore Limited?

The third Sleeper is supposed to get restored sometime in 2023. 9812 is the third Sleeper.

 

[joelkfla]

The third Sleeper is supposed to get restored sometime in 2023. 9812 is the third Sleeper.

Of course, that's what they said about November 2022, too.

@NYP2NFL01 , if you call and ask to be moved, please let us know here whether you were successful.

 

[jis]

Of course, that's what they said about November 2022, too.

@NYP2NFL01 , if you call and ask to be moved, please let us know here whether you were successful.

Yeah. I was originally booked in 9812 on 11/18. Amtrak called me to offer me either Coach on 98 that day or Sleeper on 92. I took the latter, since the time of arrival in NY did not matter to me. This trip is just tog et enough TQP to get to Select Plus. I have been trying to make this trip since July, but the Amtrak gods so far have managed to thwart it one way or the other.

 

[joelkfla]

Yeah. I was originally booked in 9812 on 11/18. Amtrak called me to offer me either Coach on 98 that day or Sleeper on 92. I took the latter, since the time of arrival in NY did not matter to me. This trip is just tog et enough TQP to get to Select Plus. I have been trying to make this trip since July, but the Amtrak gods so far have managed to thwart it one way or the other.

The hurricane blew apart my plan to get to Select. I'm contemplating a 2-nite trip to Savannah in coach on the Meteor; I think that will be just enough to put me over the line.

You do get 2 TQP's per fare dollar, right?

 

[MARC Rider]

98(18) has 2 VL II's instead of 1 of each.

Yeah, I saw that this morning in Baltimore.

 

[BlackDiamond]

98 (16) passing through the Altamonte Springs FL Sunrail Station this afternoon (~10 minutes N of WPK)

Seems to be an extra diner following the engines, I assume it is a deadhead.

 

[jis]

Seems to be an extra diner following the engines, I assume it is a deadhead.

A Diner and a Lounge deadhead. Probably rotating in protect cars to Sunnyside.

 

[joelkfla]

Seems to be an extra diner following the engines, I assume it is a deadhead.

Just about every Silver on the 15th & 16th had deadheads -- even a baggage car. Things settled down by the 17th.

 

[Palmland]

On a trip back from the northeast we stopped in Selma, NC for lunch and to check out the station that NC DOT had beautifully restored. For those unfamiliar with this stop on the Palmetto and Carolinian, it is the junction of the Norfolk Southern's line from Greensboro/Raleigh with the CSX line between Rocky Mount and Fayetteville that handles all the Atlantic Coast trains, most without stopping. The NS line continues on to Goldsboro and the coastal town of Morehead City, a route that NC has plans for passenger trains in the future.

The first photo shows a northbound CSX freight about to cross the NS line. NS has equipment working on the track in the backround. Behind me in the photo is the switch off the NS line from Raleigh to the connection with CSX.

Not sure if there is a thread on Amtrak stations for this post.



Even though the 1924 station had been extensively restored, NC apparently felt the need to redo the platform on the connection track used by the Carolinian and the Silver Star (that does not stop). I'm not sure why this was necessary since passenger loadings are minimal and the previous platforms were from the 2002 restoration. Inside the station is the area where the ticket agent used to be and now is the attendant as well as what looks to be the original benches, some historical photos and information, and the large rest rooms. I did not think to take photos of it as we had seen it many times during our road trips north. In the 50's, Southern had two trains each way that stopped and the ACL had 3, plus many more that passed through.






The Palmetto arrived while we were there. Two passengers off and one on. The friendly station attendant provides information to travelers, assists with boarding, and opens the station with its very nice interior and rest rooms.. Since she was not an Amtrak employee, she does not help with tickets or baggage. NC (and VA) are good supporters of passenger rail.

 

[joelkfla]

On a trip back from the northeast we stopped in Selma, NC for lunch and to check out the station that NC DOT had beautifully restored. For those unfamiliar with this stop on the Palmetto and Carolinian, it is the junction of the Norfolk Southern's line from Greensboro/Raleigh with the CSX line between Rocky Mount and Fayetteville that handles all the Atlantic Coast trains, most without stopping. The NS line continues on to Goldsboro and the coastal town of Morehead City, a route that NC has plans for passenger trains in the future.

The first photo shows a northbound CSX freight about to cross the NS line. NS has equipment working on the track in the backround. Behind me in the photo is the switch off the NS line from Raleigh to the connection with CSX.

Not sure if there is a thread on Amtrak stations for this post.

View attachment 29975

Even though the 1924 station had been extensively restored, NC apparently felt the need to redo the platform on the connection track used by the Carolinian and the Silver Star (that does not stop). I'm not sure why this was necessary since passenger loadings are minimal and the previous platforms were from the 2002 restoration. Inside the station is the area where the ticket agent used to be and now is the attendant as well as what looks to be the original benches, some historical photos and information, and the large rest rooms. I did not think to take photos of it as we had seen it many times during our road trips north. In the 50's, Southern had two trains each way that stopped and the ACL had 3, plus many more that passed through.

View attachment 29976


View attachment 29977

The Palmetto arrived while we were there. Two passengers off and one on. The friendly station attendant provides information to travelers, assists with boarding, and opens the station with its very nice interior and rest rooms.. Since she was not an Amtrak employee, she does not help with tickets or baggage. NC (and VA) are good supporters of passenger rail.


View attachment 29978



View attachment 29979


View attachment 29980

I thought I remembered passing this interesting junction station on my last trip on the Star, but I was confused when I looked at Google Maps and it showed the Star not going there. Turns out that Google incorrectly shows the Star going directly from Raleigh to Wilson on Carolina Coastal Railway, instead of southeast to Selma via NS.
(The light blue line is Google's representation of the Star route.)

 

[joelkfla]

98(18) has 2 VL II's instead of 1 of each.

Same on 91(20).

 

[railiner]

On a trip back from the northeast we stopped in Selma, NC for lunch and to check out the station that NC DOT had beautifully restored. For those unfamiliar with this stop on the Palmetto and Carolinian, it is the junction of the Norfolk Southern's line from Greensboro/Raleigh with the CSX line between Rocky Mount and Fayetteville that handles all the Atlantic Coast trains, most without stopping. The NS line continues on to Goldsboro and the coastal town of Morehead City, a route that NC has plans for passenger trains in the future.

The first photo shows a northbound CSX freight about to cross the NS line. NS has equipment working on the track in the backround. Behind me in the photo is the switch off the NS line from Raleigh to the connection with CSX.

Not sure if there is a thread on Amtrak stations for this post.

View attachment 29975

Even though the 1924 station had been extensively restored, NC apparently felt the need to redo the platform on the connection track used by the Carolinian and the Silver Star (that does not stop). I'm not sure why this was necessary since passenger loadings are minimal and the previous platforms were from the 2002 restoration. Inside the station is the area where the ticket agent used to be and now is the attendant as well as what looks to be the original benches, some historical photos and information, and the large rest rooms. I did not think to take photos of it as we had seen it many times during our road trips north. In the 50's, Southern had two trains each way that stopped and the ACL had 3, plus many more that passed through.

View attachment 29976


View attachment 29977

The Palmetto arrived while we were there. Two passengers off and one on. The friendly station attendant provides information to travelers, assists with boarding, and opens the station with its very nice interior and rest rooms.. Since she was not an Amtrak employee, she does not help with tickets or baggage. NC (and VA) are good supporters of passenger rail.


View attachment 29978



View attachment 29979


View attachment 29980

Nice shots, thanks for posting. I always have been fascinated by smaller "junction stations" like this one. One of my favorites, used to be Effingham, IL., where the IC "Mainline of Mid America" and the PRR "Panhandle" line crossed...used to host the City of New Orleans, and the National Limited in Amtrak early days...

 

[pennyk]

Today, for the first time in a very long time, I was able to see train 98 Silver Meteor as it passed through Orlando. I was not at my usual spot and did not get a great view. I think there were 4 coaches. The first sleeper appeared to be a V2, and I am not sure about the second sleeper.

 

[joelkfla]

Today, for the first time in a very long time, I was able to see train 98 Silver Meteor as it passed through Orlando. I was not at my usual spot and did not get a great view. I think there were 4 coaches.

Just 3, Penny.


Fourth car is a cafe.

The first sleeper appeared to be a V2, and I am not sure about the second sleeper.

It was actually the VL I that's painted like a VL II. I've been seeing it go back and forth all week.

 

[pennyk]

Just 3, Penny.
View attachment 29998

Fourth car is a cafe.
View attachment 30001

It was actually the VL I that's painted like a VL II. I've been seeing it go back and forth all week.
View attachment 29999

wow. I sure got things wrong. I guess I was so excited to see the train, that I was not paying close enough attention. Thanks fact checking me.

 

[NYP2NFL01]

If you call and ask to be moved, please let us know here whether you were successful.

I called AGR Customer Service today (10/24/22). Claudette could not state with certainty if 9812 would be restored by my travel date. She was able to relocate me to the A bedroom of 9810 with all of the discounts intact on the same reservation number. Interestingly she said that some passengers do not like the A bedroom. I never heard that before. Have any of you? At least I’m in a car that will most likely be a part of the consist for my trip.

 

[zephyr17]

I called AGR Customer Service today (10/24/22). Claudette could not state with certainty if 9812 would be restored by my travel date. She was able to relocate me to the A bedroom of 9810 with all of the discounts intact on the same reservation number. Interestingly she said that some passengers do not like the A bedroom. I never heard that before. Have any of you? At least I’m in a car that will most likely be a part of the consist for my trip.

Probably another case of agents being ignorant of actual conditions in the field...

Many passengers do not like Bedroom A in Superliners as it is a bit smaller with a funny shape due to a cutout for the car end aisle corner. That doesn't apply to Viewliners where A and B are identical mirror images. I have no doubt some more experienced passengers have asked the to avoid getting booked in A on Superliner trains. Probably not really understanding the difference between Superliners and Viewliners, the agent assumed a general aversion to A irrespective of equipment type the train uses.

 

[pennyk]

I called AGR Customer Service today (10/24/22). Claudette could not state with certainty if 9812 would be restored by my travel date. She was able to relocate me to the A bedroom of 9810 with all of the discounts intact on the same reservation number. Interestingly she said that some passengers do not like the A bedroom. I never heard that before. Have any of you? At least I’m in a car that will most likely be a part of the consist for my trip.

I am one of those passengers who does not like Bedroom A on a Silver Viewliner. The couch is facing backwards. Bedroom B is my favorite, but I will accept A and sit in the chair if that is my only choice, which it will be on my next trip.

 

[NYP2NFL01]

I am one of those passengers who does not like Bedroom A on a Silver Viewliner. The couch is facing backwards. Bedroom B is my favorite, but I will accept A and sit in the chair if that is my only choice, which it will be on my next trip.

Exactly. I don’t mind riding backwards myself! Regarding the Superliner, I traveled in an A bedroom on the Capitol Ltd in 2019. Other than riding backwards, the bathroom entrance was as you enter the room instead of being across from the single seat like the Viewliner layout.

 

[Ryan]

Chiming in as someone not ignorant in actual conditions in the field here on the East Coast that prefers not to be in Viewliner Bedroom A for the reasons enumerated above. I'm less worried about it in a Superliner because of the random orientation. Facing forward is important to be where I can assure it; a marginally smaller room isn't that big of a concern.

 

[Traveler]

Silver meteor sleeping car 9711 room number 4. Trying to determine which side of train I’ll be on.

 

[pennyk]

Silver meteor sleeping car 9711 room number 4. Trying to determine which side of train I’ll be on.

Most likely, you will be on the East side of the train (the left side facing in the direction of travel)

 

[pennyk]

I just walked down to the tracks north of downtown Orlando and saw the Silver Star 92 pass by. It was dark and the train moved quickly, but I am pretty sure the 10 car was a V1 and the 11 car was a V2, which has been the usual consist recently.