New train (40-41 Floridian) between Miami and Chicago via Washington DC

[jis]

Maybe they consider this a southbound train with odd for south, like 97/91.

Yes 41 is Southbound and 40 Northbound.

 

[toddinde]

Amtrak had a train with this name in the 1970's and it was a total dud due to track conditions in Indiana. Can't believe they couldn't come up with something else. Also, I predict this new one won't last long, but who knows.

It wasn’t a dud. It was a great train once it got a reliable route. It only died because of the misguided Carter cuts. This new one is a brilliant and efficient use of equipment freeing up needed superliners for western service. I think it lasts until there is a new Floridian on the FRA Long Distance Study route. There is a big Midwest-Carolina market, and this new service serves that brilliantly.

 

[jiml]

We're already talking about a nostalgic trip on this train. With a few variations it's very similar to how we used to go to Florida almost every year when our kids were younger. Toronto (International) > Hammond-Whiting > Broadway or Capitol to Philly or Washington (sometimes with through sleeper) > Orlando/Kissimmee via Silver Service (with up to 3 options depending on year and connection). Now the only thing missing is the first leg but flights from Toronto to Chicago are plentiful and fairly inexpensive.

 

[JWM]

You are not going through ATL anytime soon. Not if CSX and NS have a say

It wasn’t a dud. It was a great train once it got a reliable route. It only died because of the misguided Carter cuts. This new one is a brilliant and efficient use of equipment freeing up needed superliners for western service. I think it lasts until there is a new Floridian on the FRA Long Distance Study route. There is a big Midwest-Carolina market, and this new service serves that brilliantly.

This fourth generation Hoosier remembers the train using he Monon and lurching through Southern Indiana at low speeds at night. Once it to Louisville everything speeded up.

 

[Peter_Travels]

I mean, how does this make any sense? Some glitch? I’ve seen instances where getting off earlier costs more (Newark Airport, for example), but something this egregious?

 

[Seaboarder3023]

The page for the Floridian is live on Amtrak’s website. They say that it is indeed a temporary combo of the Cap and Star in order to facilitate work on the East River Tunnels.

 

[jis]

But

What if the Floridian through service becomes really successful and popular? Time will tell but maybe the Star comes back as a separate train? We will see I guess.

Not with the equipment available. There will be no additional train until more equipment is acquired.

 

[Amtrak25]

The page for the Floridian is live on Amtrak’s website. They say that it is indeed a temporary combo of the Cap and Star in order to facilitate work on the East River Tunnels.

Whenever that starts, maybe in December, it was last 42 months.

 

[frequentflyer]

But

What if the Floridian through service becomes really successful and popular? Time will tell but maybe the Star comes back as a separate train? We will see I guess.

I agree with you, I think this move will be successful. More capacity.

Three trains to Florida? Amtrak tried that when the Star and Meteor had longer consists, with the Palmetto extended to Florida.

Why do people think this move is temporary? The idea is scary, because its a management decision that makes operational sense. The train that needs to be brought back is Broadway Limited. Maybe Amtrak finds a couple of VLs and tack onto the Floridian in Pittsburgh and voila.

 

[jis]

Why do people think this move is temporary? The idea is scary, because its a management decision that makes operational sense.

Because the same said Amtrak management emphatically says so. Of course that has never stopped us from dreaming up stuff since we are dreamers and that is what keep our spirits up

 

[PatchesC]

I mean, how does this make any sense? Some glitch? I’ve seen instances where getting off earlier costs more (Newark Airport, for example), but something this egregious?

Always figured they were accounting for the chance of someone boarding at the same location. Less distance, maybe means less chance they will get additional revenue?

 

[pennyk]

From Amtrak:

Two iconic routes combine to create a new travel experience

WASHINGTON – Amtrak customers can now purchase tickets on the Floridian, a new temporary route offering a direct round-trip between Chicago and Miami with intermediate stops in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa that will take customers to these cities in comfort and style. This train combines the routes of the Capitol Limited and Silver Star for a limited time and makes its inaugural trip on Sunday, Nov. 10.

“The Floridian offers customers an exceptional and sustainable journey to great destinations between Chicago and Miami, providing the amenities and delicious food our guests enjoy when traveling with us,” Amtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Eliot Hamlisch said.

Customers traveling in Coach Class enjoy wide, reclining seats with ample legroom, no middle seat, and windows to enjoy the scenery. For extra comfort and additional privacy, customers can upgrade to a First Class private room. For an additional fee, a limited number of dining car meals are also available for Coach Class customers.

First Class private room options include a Roomette—featuring two reclining seats that transform into upper and lower beds by night and shower access—or a Bedroom offering twice the space of a Roomette and an in-room restroom and shower. The private rooms have large bi-level windows, a sink and a dedicated attendant who provides turndown service, assists with meals, helps with luggage and shares great stories of life on the rails.

All customers in private rooms receive complimentary lounge access at major stations and priority boarding.

The Floridian will offer Traditional Dining service in the Dining Car, a complimentary amenity for customers traveling in First Class private rooms. This popular service, experienced in a dining car with bi-level windows, will feature several enhancements, including chef-prepared meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner; table service with glassware, cutlery and linen tablecloths; vegetarian and vegan menu options; selections for children and a complimentary alcoholic drink with dinner. The menu offers several customer favorites, including:

• Amtrak Signature Railroad French Toast, Three Egg Omelet for breakfast;
• Artisan Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Natural Angus Burger, Vegan Chili Bowl for lunch;
• Amtrak Signature Flat Iron Steak, Atlantic Salmon, Rigatoni Bolognese for dinner.

Café service, also featuring a newly updated menu, will be available onboard for all customers, offering a variety of meals, snacks and beverages for sale.

Amtrak is temporarily combining the Capitol Limited and Silver Star trains to create the Floridian due to the upcoming East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project in New York. During this project, one tunnel tube will be closed at a time, minimizing service impacts, maximizing construction access and modernizing the tunnel infrastructure to serve customers for another 100 years.

“Our members have had a long-standing dream of restoring a one-seat ride from the Midwest to Florida, and we’re thrilled that a new generation of American passengers will be able to experience this service for themselves,” said Jim Mathews, President & CEO of the Rail Passengers Association. “This move will free up badly needed equipment while taking pressure off Northeast Corridor infrastructure during the renovation of the ERT Project. Rail Passengers applauds Amtrak for this innovative solution to keeping passengers moving during critical state of good repair work. We believe riders will flock to this new service.”

The Floridian (Trains 40 & 41) will operate on a similar schedule and make the current stops of the Capitol Limited (Trains 29 & 30) between Chicago and Washington, D.C., and the Silver Star (Trains 91 & 92) between Miami and Washington, D.C. The Silver Meteor (Trains 97 & 98) continues to operate daily between New York and Miami.

 

[frequentflyer]

From Amtrak:

Two iconic routes combine to create a new travel experience

WASHINGTON – Amtrak customers can now purchase tickets on the Floridian, a new temporary route offering a direct round-trip between Chicago and Miami with intermediate stops in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa that will take customers to these cities in comfort and style. This train combines the routes of the Capitol Limited and Silver Star for a limited time and makes its inaugural trip on Sunday, Nov. 10.

“The Floridian offers customers an exceptional and sustainable journey to great destinations between Chicago and Miami, providing the amenities and delicious food our guests enjoy when traveling with us,” Amtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Eliot Hamlisch said.

Customers traveling in Coach Class enjoy wide, reclining seats with ample legroom, no middle seat, and windows to enjoy the scenery. For extra comfort and additional privacy, customers can upgrade to a First Class private room. For an additional fee, a limited number of dining car meals are also available for Coach Class customers.

First Class private room options include a Roomette—featuring two reclining seats that transform into upper and lower beds by night and shower access—or a Bedroom offering twice the space of a Roomette and an in-room restroom and shower. The private rooms have large bi-level windows, a sink and a dedicated attendant who provides turndown service, assists with meals, helps with luggage and shares great stories of life on the rails.

All customers in private rooms receive complimentary lounge access at major stations and priority boarding.

The Floridian will offer Traditional Dining service in the Dining Car, a complimentary amenity for customers traveling in First Class private rooms. This popular service, experienced in a dining car with bi-level windows, will feature several enhancements, including chef-prepared meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner; table service with glassware, cutlery and linen tablecloths; vegetarian and vegan menu options; selections for children and a complimentary alcoholic drink with dinner. The menu offers several customer favorites, including:

• Amtrak Signature Railroad French Toast, Three Egg Omelet for breakfast;
• Artisan Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Natural Angus Burger, Vegan Chili Bowl for lunch;
• Amtrak Signature Flat Iron Steak, Atlantic Salmon, Rigatoni Bolognese for dinner.

Café service, also featuring a newly updated menu, will be available onboard for all customers, offering a variety of meals, snacks and beverages for sale.

Amtrak is temporarily combining the Capitol Limited and Silver Star trains to create the Floridian due to the upcoming East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project in New York. During this project, one tunnel tube will be closed at a time, minimizing service impacts, maximizing construction access and modernizing the tunnel infrastructure to serve customers for another 100 years.

“Our members have had a long-standing dream of restoring a one-seat ride from the Midwest to Florida, and we’re thrilled that a new generation of American passengers will be able to experience this service for themselves,” said Jim Mathews, President & CEO of the Rail Passengers Association. “This move will free up badly needed equipment while taking pressure off Northeast Corridor infrastructure during the renovation of the ERT Project. Rail Passengers applauds Amtrak for this innovative solution to keeping passengers moving during critical state of good repair work. We believe riders will flock to this new service.”

The Floridian (Trains 40 & 41) will operate on a similar schedule and make the current stops of the Capitol Limited (Trains 29 & 30) between Chicago and Washington, D.C., and the Silver Star (Trains 91 & 92) between Miami and Washington, D.C. The Silver Meteor (Trains 97 & 98) continues to operate daily between New York and Miami.

Thank you.

ERT is a major reason? What other train is being cut?

 

[west point]

Main locations from west coast to Floridian at CHI now in reservations computer. However, NEC north of WAS still shows Star connections operating out of NYP.

 

[Seaboarder3023]

I've noticed that people seem to already be dooming about how a combined train is going to "destroy OTP" for both routes, but honestly I'm not so sure. CSX has consistently been these days the only Class I that I've seen actually try and keep Amtrak generally on time, and I think that has a lot to do with Joe Hinrichs being at the helm of CSX. He's gone all in on improving company morale and public perception, and I think a big part of that "public perception" part is keeping Amtrak passengers on time. Conducting a "survey" over the past few weeks on transitdocs has lead me to notice that most the time the Silvers have been within one hour of the timetable, and the same goes with the Cap. Of course it's all speculation, but I think that this "bootleg" Floridian is overall a good idea, even if it is temporary.

 

[PaTrainFan]

No loco change, though at present I believe the Star operates with two while the Cap with one. I suspect the locos will just run through. No need to change them. They can be fueled at RVR and be able to run through to PGH before needing refueling.

You're saying that they would be refueled in Pittsburgh? I am am not an operations expert by any stretch, but is there enough dwell time there to do that? Also, I'm not sure where they would logistically do that given the available platforms and access.

 

[jis]

You're saying that they would be refueled in Pittsburgh? I am am not an operations expert by any stretch, but is there enough dwell time there to do that? Also, I'm not sure where they would logistically do that given the available platforms and access.

Normally I think they are refueled at Toledo, not Pittsburgh.

 

[Ironbrgde]

I'm mulling over taking the last 91 or 92 but the website is being wonky for me and the dates are confusing.

 

[PaTrainFan]

Normally I think they are refueled at Toledo, not Pittsburgh.

That is correct.

 

[Amtrak25]

I've noticed that people seem to already be dooming about how a combined train is going to "destroy OTP" for both routes, but honestly I'm not so sure. CSX has consistently been these days the only Class I that I've seen actually try and keep Amtrak generally on time, and I think that has a lot to do with Joe Hinrichs being at the helm of CSX. He's gone all in on improving company morale and public perception, and I think a big part of that "public perception" part is keeping Amtrak passengers on time. Conducting a "survey" over the past few weeks on transitdocs has lead me to notice that most the time the Silvers have been within one hour of the timetable, and the same goes with the Cap. Of course it's all speculation, but I think that this "bootleg" Floridian is overall a good idea, even if it is temporary

Let's not forget Chicago - Pittsburgh is NS. Over 25 years, they have had multiple dispatching Indiana meltdowns lasting for months. While currently acceptable there now, we never know what the future brings, they are getting sued for Amtrak operations across Alabama, and with the last executive firing, will be a total Wall Street, Hedge Fund, PSR operation.

If they hold for a western connection in Chicago for an hour or two, depending on dispatching and schedule fat into Pittsburgh and Washington, that could have impacts on Washington departures to Florida.

 

[Palmland]

dining car with bi-level windows, will feature several enhancements, including chef-prepared meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner; table service with glassware, cutlery and linen tablecloths

But they didn’t mention the fancy plastic plates

Good for Amtrak for trying this. If it proves very popular perhaps when it returns to NY it will keep the name but have a section on the rear for NY (or Chicago) like the EB split.

I suspect Amtrak didn’t want the hassle of trying to deal with a schedule change to add time for just a few months. Perhaps we will be pleasantly surprised by OT performance as @Seaboarder3023 suggests.

 

[PaTrainFan]

I suspect Amtrak didn’t want the hassle of trying to deal with a schedule change to add time for just a few months. Perhaps we will be pleasantly surprised by OT performance as @Seaboarder3023 suggests.

I get fleet utilization efficiencies being a tangible reason for this change, but does this really make that big of an impact with regard to the East River Tunnel Project? Is it worth the incredible work required to make this change only temporary?

 

[McIntyre2K7]

Now that there's going to be a 1 seat ride to Chicago from Florida I'm interested in buying a rail pass. I could do a giant loop of the western US by train. The only reason I didn't buy one before was due to the fact that Tampa to Chicago would require a total of 4 segments.

 

[niemi24s]

Based solely on low bucket Roomette fares and route miles, this new combined Floridian will be about average at 35¢ per route mile.

The current average is 36¢/mi with a high of 70¢/mi (CL) and low of 25¢/mi (CZ).

 

[Eric in East County]

Just this afternoon, we received another update to our reservation for a passage from Toledo to Chicago next May. Our reservation was originally for Capitol Limited No. 29. Then yesterday, we received an update saying that we would now be on Floridian No. 40 with same departure and arrival times as CL No. 29. As of this afternoon, our reservation has been updated once again to show that we’ll be on Capitol Limited No. 40 with the same departure and arrival times as Floridian No. 40. Have they now decided to operate the No. 40 train under two different names with the name change occurring once it departs from Washington, D.C. for Chicago?