More Help Appreciated

[BritDave]

Last year, as an overseas traveller, I did the SW Chief from CHI to LAX and then onto SFO. The help I received from you guys was invaluable and the trip so good we have come back this year. Can I impose on you once more for some help?

We have normal Business class tix from BOS-NYP and then on to WAS. Does the ticket guarantee a seat?

We are then on the Silver Star down to ORL for some sun. Can anyone tell me how far the station is away from International Drive? I also notice that the timetable for the present seems to have changed for our trip in September - is this the case?

Would also appreciate any interesting sights on the entire BOS-ORL route.

Whilst this may be obvious to the seasoned traveller when travelling overseas it can seem like rocket science!

Once again thanks for your help

 

[railman]

Here are answers to some of your questions.

Business class tickets on a Regional train do guarantee you seats but do not provide for seat assignment -- you may choose any vacant seat you prefer upon boarding the train. Since you are leaving from Boston (where your train originates) I would hazard a guess you'll have a fairly wide selection of seats. The seating arrangement in most Business class cars is two-and-two across the aisles, so you and your wife should be able to sit side-by-side without trouble.

Amtrak train schedules are subject to revision twice a year - in April and October. In addition, there is a track improvement project currently underway in Georgia which has caused Amtrak to temporarily revise the schedule of the Silver Star by a number of hours. The Star is slated to return to its normal schedule in late-June.

International Drive in Orlando is not too far from the Amtrak station but it's a rather long and winding road. You have the option of a taxi, of course or using the Coach USA shuttle buses which ply a route from the Amtrak station down the entire length of International Drive. You may also find that your hotel offers a free courtesy van between the station and the hotel so check with them on that possibility.

There are a number of scenic highlights along the route between Boston and Orlando - mixed in with long stretches of urban decay and boring piney woods. Your best bet for tips on non-rail related scenery is to visit www.amtrak.com and check our their on-line route guides.

If you're looking for tips on rail-related highlights along your route let us know and I'm sure you'll receive a long,long list of things to watch for.

 

[PRR 60]

You are guaranteed a seat with a reserved, Business Class booking, but not a specific, pre-assigned seat. Since you are boarding in Boston, you should have no trouble getting good seats.

As for sightseeing between Boston and Washington, I suggest sitting on the left side of the train (looking in the direction of travel). From that side you will see the following:

The shoreline of Rhode Island and eastern Connecticut will be on the left between Providence and New Haven. This is a very underrated stretch of railroad that rivals in many areas the most scenic of Amtrak locations (in my opinion, anyway). Small harbors, inlets, and marshes will make you wonder if you are still in the urban northeast.

Just before arrival in New York you will cross the massive Hell Gate Bridge over the East River. The largest steel arch bridge in the world when completed in 1916, the design is strikingly similar to the larger Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia. The left side will offer views of Queens with Long Island Sound in the distance. (The right side has a great view of Manhattan.)

Just after leaving New York and exiting the tunnel under the Hudson River, the train will turn south and the left side will have a view of the Manhattan skyscrapers with the Empire State immediately to the left and rear and lower Manhattan to the left and ahead.

About five minutes after the Newark (NJ) stop, Newark International Airport will be on your left along with the Monorail connector between the rail station and the airport terminals.

Just before getting to the Philadelphia stop you will cross the Schuylkill River (pronounced in Philadelphia “skool-kill”) atop a high stone arch bridge with Faimount Park gracing both sides of the river below. The left side offers a spectacular view of central Philadelphia and, minutes later, the river-side rowing club boathouses. This is among the better city view arrivals on Amtrak.

Between Philadelphia and Wilmington (DE), the Delaware River, a major east coast USA shipping channel, will be immediately on the left for several miles. You may see several oil tankers heading up or down with the tides. The river in this area is well over one mile wide. The twin suspension spans of the Delaware Memorial Bridge (I-95) will be ahead on the left.

Between Wilmington and Baltimore, you will cross the Susquehanna River, Bush River, and the Gunpowder River with all three crossings affording nice left side views of the nearby Chesapeake Bay.

For info south of Washington, I defer to others with more direct knowledge.

 

[engine999]

International drive in orlando is a few miles south of the station. Downtown orlando is not very far from the station. I would suggest taking a cab or one of the shuttles. The neighborhood where the station is, is not bad during the day but could get worse after dark. There is as quated earlyer a modified schedule due to track work in GA. It should be resolved by your trip in the fall.

 

[spot1181]

BritDave, pick up a copy of " USA By Rail " By John Pitt. This book will tell you everything you want to know and is invaluable as a travel guide. Listed are what you will see at each stop plus inbetween and will give you time and milege. We knew a lot of sites from this book that most other passengers had no idea of. I think a new version just came out.

 

[amtrakmichigan]

On my trip to Florida, we got off the Silver Meteor in Kississimee instead of Orlando. Kississimee is a much smaller station then Orlando with much less passengers getting on and off. International Dr. may be slightly closer to Kississimee then Orlando too. If you need transportation check out a company called Happy Limo. I was quoted about $80 R/t from either station to the Disney resorts, in a Lincoln Towncar or simaler vehicle. I beleve the price was for up to 4 or 5 people too.

 

[Bill Haithcoat]

Britdave, I don't have anything to add---just glad you enjoyed the last trip and glad to have you back with us.

Us railfans know as well as anybody that we cannot guarantee that everybody will enjoy their trip. We are glad to hear about it when they do. .

 

[engine999]

On my trip to Florida, we got off the Silver Meteor in Kississimee instead of Orlando. Kississimee is a much smaller station then Orlando with much less passengers getting on and off. International Dr. may be slightly closer to Kississimee then Orlando too. If you need transportation check out a company called Happy Limo. I was quoted about $80 R/t from either station to the Disney resorts, in a Lincoln Towncar or simaler vehicle. I beleve the price was for up to 4 or 5 people too.

Kissime is actually closer to Disney. I know Amtrak wants passengers to use the station at orlando, because it can accomidate the large amounts of passengers better. I-drive is about the same distance from both stations, orlando may be slightly closer. It is not in walking distance of them either. I would suggest, if your new to the area, take the train to orl.

 

[Jeff O]

As a resident of New Jersey I always look forward to the view on the right side as we cross the Delaware River after the Trenton Station of the "Trenton makes,the world takes" Bridge and the state capitol (the Gold dome in the distance).

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Viewliner]

As a resident of New Jersey I always look forward to the view on the right side as we cross the Delaware River after the Trenton Station of the "Trenton makes,the world takes" Bridge and the state capitol (the Gold dome in the distance).

Enjoy your trip!

Yeah, I feel the same way when I get to travel by there too

 

[Britdave]

Many thanks for all of your help. It all goes towards making a great vacation better. Thanks again!

 

[BritDave]

Hope you don't mind me getting back to you guys. It is easy to ask for help but I feel obliged to respond afterwards.

Our BOS/NYP/WAS/ORL holiday was a wonderful experience. We certainly had our worries, when we were in WAS we noticed the FLA trains were being regularly cancelled due to hurricane aftermath but fortunately ours went OK on 18 Sep (I realise these problems were well beyond the control of Amtrak). Our experience of the Acela Express as well as the single level sleeper on the 91 were once again beyond our expectations - (the service on the 91 was 2nd to none).

We took notice of all recommendations on the thread (ie bought USA by Rail and used Happy Limo - you guys should be on commission).

I feel I was slightly admonished for asking about none rail-related issues and realise that you guys are not Travel agents but in my next venture (hopefully in March/April) I aiming for a Southern trip (must include New Oleans) - Will appreciate any suggestions

Once again - your help was invaluable - Many Thanks

 

[engine999]

Glad you enjoyed the trip. You made it in one of the hurricane free windows. Seems to be one hitting every 2 to 3 weeks.