Atlantic Coast (Silver/Palmetto/Carolinian) Service discussion 2024 H2 - 2025

[Palmland]

Within an hour of each other a late 97 stopped in Deland followed by a mostly on time 98. 98 then met a 5+ hour late AutoTrain on the siding just north of town.

97 had only one unit and both it and 98 (2 units) had standard consist of 3 coaches, cafe, diner, 2 VL 1 sleepers and 1 VL 2 sleeper with baggage on the rear. The AutoTrain had 17 passenger cars and 25 auto carriers. It was flying so count may have been off.

In other news, soon to be hurricane, Milton takes aim at central Florida. ETA of Wednesday on west coast.

 

[joelkfla]

Within an hour of each other a late 97 stopped in Deland followed by a mostly on time 98. 98 then met a 5+ hour late AutoTrain on the siding just north of town.

97 had only one unit and both it and 98 (2 units) had standard consist of 3 coaches, cafe, diner, 2 VL 1 sleepers and 1 VL 2 sleeper with baggage on the rear. The AutoTrain had 17 passenger cars and 25 auto carriers. It was flying so count may have been off.
View attachment 37960
In other news, soon to be hurricane, Milton takes aim at central Florida. ETA of Wednesday on west coast.

View attachment 37962

Although the track is worrisome, it is not really significant with a storm that is still developing. It's already shifted from south of Orlando to north of the city. The actual path could be anywhere within the cone.

As of 11pm Saturday, the probability of Orlando seeing sustained hurricane force winds is less than 10% thru Thursday night; it's as high as 30% along the coasts. The probability of sustained tropical storm force winds is 40-60% in the Orlando area.

Details can be viewed here: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at4.shtml?start#contents

 

[RebelRider]

With soon-to-be Hurricane Milton approaching, the following service adjustments have been made:

91 and 97 with originations of 10/7-10/10 terminate in JAX with no alternate transportation.

92 and 98 with originations of 10/8-10/11 originate JAX with no alternate transportation.

52 and 53 originating 10/7- 10/10 are canceled.

 

[west point]

If Milton should track father to the north then JAX will be in peril for any operation. Will not know probably until Wednesday.

 

[Palmland]

The southbound Floridian, 41, had a fifth coach today between the diner and cafe. Not sure if it’s for the holiday week or winter season. Or, I guess it could be deadheading but in an unusual spot for that. The train was about 1’20” late and any Chicagoans on board would be happy to leave the recent snow behind.

 

[Palmland]

Finally, an eight minute early Silver Meteor actually opened doors on two coaches. One door for unloading and one for loading. It was completed in several minutes then had to wait 5 minutes so it could depart exactly on time.

 

[JWM]

Amtrak's Florida service needs a thorough review and update. Send the trains on the FEC to Miami Central Station which gives much better access to the Port of Miami and other areas. Frankly, Florida needs three trains. One the "Silver Meteor" should be moved to the FEC from Jacksonville to Miami joined by a section of a revived "Silver Star" that splits in Jacksonville with the other section going to Tampa/St. Petersburg. A third train, call it the "Champion" (historical name) should go from NYC to Tampa via Orlando. The market is there.

 

[zephyr17]

Amtrak's Florida service needs a thorough review and update. Send the trains on the FEC to Miami Central Station which gives much better access to the Port of Miami and other areas. Frankly, Florida needs three trains. One the "Silver Meteor" should be moved to the FEC from Jacksonville to Miami joined by a section of a revived "Silver Star" that splits in Jacksonville with the other section going to Tampa/St. Petersburg. A third train, call it the "Champion" (historical name) should go from NYC to Tampa via Orlando. The market is there.

FEC is under no statutory obligation to host Amtrak, having ceased passenger service prior to 1970 and never having "joined" Amtrak. Amtrak and FEC could, of course, come to a voluntary agreement, but likely at a much higher access cost than the avoidable cost basis that Amtrak enjoys on lines having hosted passenger service in 1970. Also, FEC is unlikely to cooperate as they are a partner of Brightline. I imagine eventual Brightline service on the FEC to Jacksonville as more likely than FEC agreeing to host Amtrak.

 

[railiner]

Amtrak's Florida service needs a thorough review and update. Send the trains on the FEC to Miami Central Station which gives much better access to the Port of Miami and other areas. Frankly, Florida needs three trains. One the "Silver Meteor" should be moved to the FEC from Jacksonville to Miami joined by a section of a revived "Silver Star" that splits in Jacksonville with the other section going to Tampa/St. Petersburg. A third train, call it the "Champion" (historical name) should go from NYC to Tampa via Orlando. The market is there.

I would be thrilled, if Amtrak would bring back this level of service in Florida…

http://www.timetables.org/full.php?group=19961110n&item=0029

 

[John Bobinyec]

Is the 2025 Safety Patrol Special going to run? I can't tell from the schedules or a false booking.

Thanks,
John Bobinyec

 

[blueman271]

I would be thrilled, if Amtrak would bring back this level of service in Florida…

http://www.timetables.org/full.php?group=19961110n&item=0029

This period, and the one that immediately proceeded it (when the Silver Meteor and Silver Star both had Tampa and Miami sections and the Sunset Limited ran to Miami) were the good old days.

 

[brianh]

We just received notice that the Palmetto (89) is cancelled for a leg of our trip from Charlotte NC to Savannah on Feb 19. Does anyone know the reason why? It looks like we will have to rebook from Charlotte to say Cary or Raleigh to catch the Floridian (41) to Savannah. For about 7 hour layover any comments on which station might be better? We'd probably just walk around or we do have bicycles with us too.

 

[RebelRider]

CSX track work on the South End Subdivision will affect 79/80/89/90 on the following dates:

2/3 - 2/6
2/10 - 2/13
2/18 - 2/20
2/24 - 2/27

Trains 79 and 80 will operate between RGH and CLT.
Trains 1079 and 1080 will operate on the 79/80 schedule between NYP and WAS.
No alternate transportation between WAS and RGH.

Trains 89 and 90 are canceled between WAS and SAV with no alternate transportation.

 

[John Bobinyec]

No 98(6)? Why is there no 98 leaving Miami today?

jb

 

[cocojacoby]

I would be thrilled, if Amtrak would bring back this level of service in Florida…

http://www.timetables.org/full.php?group=19961110n&item=0029

Interesting to see that the Sunset Limited terminated in Sanford at this time.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

No 98(6)? Why is there no 98 leaving Miami today?

jb

1098(6) left on time. Might be track work affecting the numbering.
79/80 are 1079/1080 between WAS and NYP as 79/80 are only running CLT-RGH due to track work.

Edit: It’s the Safety Patrol charter train. Happens every February.

 

[railiner]

Interesting to see that the Sunset Limited terminated in Sanford at this time.

I am not sure if it was done to cut one consist, or to service it at the Auto Train facility, which also used Superliners. It appears that one could transfer to or from trains 97 or 92 to connect from South Florida, albeit inconvenient.

 

[brianh]

Belated thanks to Rebel Rider (Jan 19 post) immediately answering my question. I am so very impressed by the level and depth of knowledge of the contributors to this forum. Thanks to all!