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

[trimetbusfan]

I booked a ticket on the last 29, we’re supposed to leave in a few minutes from WAS. But it says it’s delayed. The Amtrak staff member is saying we’re waiting on the 92, which will become the 29. I’m confused, did they start the “through-running” early? I thought today was going to be the last day of the superliners…

So they basically did a soft launch.. among other things, I’m curious if this train had traditional dining or not

 

[joelkfla]

Looked like the 1st sleeper on 40(10) was a VL1, and the 2nd was a VL2.

ETA: Same on 41(10) out of CHI.

 

[daybeers]

Two sleepers is rough...certainly not enough capacity.

 

[Trogdor]

For those curious: The consist of the last Superliner-equipped 29 (dp 9 Nov) was:

343
61039
32072
32050
37012
34027
34072

The train had an almost-perfect run, with only two stops having departures 1 minute late, and everything else on time.

The first 41 (dp 10 Nov) has:
338
343
25049
25113
25104
25083
28010
68023
62011
62514
61059

Tons of media in Chicago for departure, including a couple of reporters doing video in the sleepers before departure.

They had some flamingo-shaped foil balloons on the platform during boarding, and handed out Amtrak tote bags to passengers (but sadly nothing to put in those bags).

Train doing OK, time-wise, but not perfect for OTP (took a 15-minute delay right out of the gate because they couldn’t get PTC to initialize for train 41 on the short stretch between the Amtrak yard and 21st Street).

OBS crew (particularly in the diner) have been a bit slow on 41 as they don’t typically work Viewliner equipment (and it’s possible that none of them have worked full dining car service before). Hopefully they’ll get the hang of it in the coming weeks.

 

[acelafan]

Each 40/41 train isn't listing the last 4 stops. It must be a data structure limitation...not sure if that's in Amtrak's system or transitdocs.

The truncated route shows up on Amtrak's own Track-A-Train so the problem is their data...but let's be honest, are you surpised? Their IT department has room for improvement.

 

[west point]

Maybe Dixieland does not have enough station spaces in the present programing to allow all the way to MIA and CHI? If you notice there are exactly 42 stations listed both ways. Programing may be a way off since 42 does not fall in the usual binary 32 or 64 but is 32 + 10

But the Canadian does have that more stops at the binary 64 number stations.

Now appears a definite Amtrak IT problem. Since the EB is 39 stations that route may have had provisions for the 42 station numbers? Since the VIA's 64 stations shows on Dixieland blame it on Amtrak IT.

 

[Railroad Bill]

Have our first trip on Floridians in mid December. CLE-WAS and return. Opted for bedrooms. Those prices are quite high and used some points to ease the pain. Hope they put a 3rd sleeper on 40/41 to help lower sleeper prices.

 

[jis]

Have our first trip on Floridians in mid December. CLE-WAS and return. Opted for bedrooms. Those prices are quite high and used some points to ease the pain. Hope they put a 3rd sleeper on 40/41 to help lower sleeper prices.

I suspect the third Sleeper will not happen before Summer '25

 

[Bonser]

Why is today’s northbound #40 saying it will terminate in Toledo and the southbound #41 will end in Delray Beach?

 

[acelafan]

Why is today’s northbound #40 saying it will terminate in Toledo and the southbound #41 will end in Delray Beach?

Amtrak IT Dept problem, they know about it.

 

[zephyr17]

Amtrak IT Dept problem, they know about it.

I guess they need their juice, cookie and a nap.

 

[west point]

Why is today’s northbound #40 saying it will terminate in Toledo and the southbound #41 will end in Delray Beach?

Why is today’s northbound #40 saying it will terminate in Toledo and the southbound #41 will end in Delray Beach?

It appears that the Amtrak setup of the trains only was ever set up for 42 stations that mirrors the EB's various stops thru the years. Guess IT never thought any train would ever stop at that many stations??

 

[moosejunky99]

found it on youtube and they give got a horn salute.

 

[JWM]

It seems that Amtrak could foul up a two car parade.

 

[chadamfleetrailfan]

Interesting to see. Tonight (11/12)'s #41 had a superliner deadheading on it - not in revenue service.

 

[Lisa Fox]

Taking Acela first-class from Boston Back Bay to DC, then the Floridian in coach to Raleigh. Will I be eligible to use the Metropolitan Lounge at DC on the basis of having arrived with a first-class ticket? Not in a sleeper on the Floridian outbound.

Raleigh is a super nice station. Clean, modern and last time I was there in December 22' a nice coffee and snack concession.

 

[BlackDiamond]

YouTuber Simply Railway has a good video of the inaugural trip
Simply Railway Video

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

YouTuber Simply Railway has a good video of the inaugural trip
Simply Railway Video

Subcontracted out video. The American guy film this is good, but it’s not Simply Railway.

 

[Qapla]

Classic ... #40 is way past "Toledo"

 

[Qapla]

I just watched the video ... and saw this sign right near the beginning:



I can't walk that fast and it didn't look like anyone else was either ... just saying (although they did all speed up)

 

[Qapla]

Just checked a day trip from PAK to TPA and back - it still works timewise for the Floridian and the price is still about the same as it was for the Star

 

[Skyline]

I just watched the video ... and saw this sign right near the beginning:

View attachment 38294

I can't walk that fast and it didn't look like anyone else was either ... just saying (although they did all speed up)

The best I've ever done hiking/backpacking was 3.8mph on flat, easy trail. Of course I was carrying a 28# pack. LOL. Maybe packless I could do 5mph for a brief stretch but it's not something most folks could sustain. There are likely those with FKTs who've done it tho.