Silver Service changes?

[the_traveler]

Those are not Viewliner coaches, they are mostly Amfleet II (although I’ve seen Amfleet Is used on the LSL).

I was only going from BOS to SDY, so I thought it might be the “short” coach. But I saw many seat checks for Toledo - and they boarded in Boston!

 

[PVD]

To be honest, the refreshed AM-2 are not bad for a coach ride....

 

[the_traveler]

I’ll take an AM-2 over an AM-1 any day!

 

[railiner]

I’ll take an AM-2 over an AM-1 any day!

Agreed for comfort. But if I was a commuter in a hurry, I think having two exits per car, might be an advantage of a AM-1

 

[PVD]

Also, the AM-1 is an automatic door, at busy corridor stops with high platforms you can open the whole side... those NEC trains don't have crew to cover all doors...

 

[user 1215]

Alright. I'm confused and the Amtrak website doesn't want to help.

It looks like the Silver Star is running three days a week and the Meteor is running four. But it's not like alternating days, rather every free days the train changes.

Anyone have a more descriptive schedule of the Silvers?

 

[John Bobinyec]

91 Departs NYP Fri., Sat., Sun.
92 Departs MIA Thu., Fri., Sat.

97 Departs NYP Mon., Tue., Wed., Thu.
98 Departs MIA Sun., Mon., Tue., Wed.

jb

PS For me it's easy to remember. The Silver Star runs through here (in both directions) on Fri., Sat. and Sun. "Here" is NC.

 

[cocojacoby]

Alright. I'm confused and the Amtrak website doesn't want to help.

Yeah, it's really frustrating. Amtrak needs to wake up and post new schedules. They seem to want to keep people in the dark about what is available. Not good.

 

[user 1215]

Thanks for merging my question with the existing thread. For some reason I couldn't find the other even though I searched.

Seems pretty stupid that Tampa and The central Carolinas are served 3 days in a row and not for 4 days in a row.

I wonder if the Silver Star will stop at Jesup, because it's actually on both routes but only serviced by the Meteor because of the demand and the timing.

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

Thanks for merging my question with the existing thread. For some reason I couldn't find the other even though I searched.

Seems pretty stupid that Tampa and The central Carolinas are served 3 days in a row and not for 4 days in a row.

I wonder if the Silver Star will stop at Jesup, because it's actually on both routes but only serviced by the Meteor because of the demand and the timing.

Okeechobee is in the opposite situation (SS stops but not the SM) and it is my understanding both stops have been reduced to less than daily service rather than modifying the schedule.

 

[railiner]

Okeechobee is in the opposite situation (SS stops but not the SM) and it is my understanding both stops have been reduced to less than daily service rather than modifying the schedule.

I really don't 'get' it...why that is...
It would only add a few minutes to the schedule to make those stops. Seems like they just took the 'easy way out', in that. Or maybe they are 'afraid' that once full service returns, they might be expected to continue those stops, but they certainly wouldn't have to, unless it made economic sense.

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

I really don't 'get' it...why that is...
It would only add a few minutes to the schedule to make those stops. Seems like they just took the 'easy way out', in that. Or maybe they are 'afraid' that once full service returns, they might be expected to continue those stops, but they certainly wouldn't have to, unless it made economic sense.

Personally I think they should be serviced by both trains even if they return to daily operation. As you said, it would only add a few minutes and would significantly increase the usefulness of Amtrak in those communities. I would also like to see the Silvers stop in Selma and Wilson, NC. Wilson especially seems to make sense, considering it's ridership is about the same as Rocky Mount and only has half as many trains. While both stations are already served by the Carolinian and Palmetto, they do not provide any service south of Savannah, same day connections towards Chicago or easy connections towards Boston. Even though it is served by many other trains, I also think the SS should stop in Fredericksburg considering the 100 mile gap between stations in a heavily populated region.

 

[the_traveler]

Fredericksburg is similar. The SM stops at FBG, but the SS just goes on by.

And the northbound SM is ”D” only at FBG and ALX - why? It would make sense from WAS north, since they have to switch the locomotive, but why 55 miles south and 2 stops before WAS?

 

[RebelRider]

I really don't 'get' it...why that is...
It would only add a few minutes to the schedule to make those stops. Seems like they just took the 'easy way out', in that. Or maybe they are 'afraid' that once full service returns, they might be expected to continue those stops, but they certainly wouldn't have to, unless it made economic sense.

There is plenty of pad time already in the respective schedules to accommodate stops at OKE and JSP without loosing any time.

Personally I think they should be serviced by both trains even if they return to daily operation. As you said, it would only add a few minutes and would significantly increase the usefulness of Amtrak in those communities. I would also like to see the Silvers stop in Selma and Wilson, NC. Wilson especially seems to make sense, considering it's ridership is about the same as Rocky Mount and only has half as many trains. While both stations are already served by the Carolinian and Palmetto, they do not provide any service south of Savannah, same day connections towards Chicago or easy connections towards Boston. Even though it is served by many other trains, I also think the SS should stop in Fredericksburg considering the 100 mile gap between stations in a heavily populated region.

Fredericksburg is similar. The SM stops at FBG, but the SS just goes on by.

And the northbound SM is ”D” only at FBG and ALX - why? It would make sense from WAS north, since they have to switch the locomotive, but why 55 miles south and 2 stops before WAS?

For FBG, WLN and SSM, trains 79 and 80 provide connections to/from 91/92 at RVR and RGH. On the days 92 misses 80, 92 will call at SSM, WLN and FBG if needed.

 

[Cho Cho Charlie]

If there any publicly available data, on the percentage of passengers boarding/detraining at each of the stations along the SM and SS routes?

I was just thinking if there could be a purely business, and non political, review of the Silver routes.

Going on a slight tangent, I wish they allowed regular passengers on the Auto Train, as sort of an East Coast express service.

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

If there any publicly available data, on the percentage of passengers boarding/detraining at each of the stations along the SM and SS routes?

I was just thinking if there could be a purely business, and non political, review of the Silver routes.

Going on a slight tangent, I wish they allowed regular passengers on the Auto Train, as sort of an East Coast express service.

The RPA has a data sheet for each route which lists ridership for each station. They are available at this link: Amtrak Ridership Statistics | Rail Passengers Association | Washington, DC

 

[the_traveler]

For FBG, WLN and SSM, trains 79 and 80 provide connections to/from 91/92 at RVR and RGH. On the days 92 misses 80, 92 will call at SSM, WLN and FBG if needed.

How would they know the “if needed”? You can’t make a reservation to or from there on the other train!

 

[the_traveler]

Going on a slight tangent, I wish they allowed regular passengers on the Auto Train, as sort of an East Coast express service.

The only thing would be transportation to or from either Lorton or Sanford. The only way to get to or from the stations are by car. There are no trains or public transportation options.

 

[me_little_me]

Going on a slight tangent, I wish they allowed regular passengers on the Auto Train, as sort of an East Coast express service.

Or at least a last minute (say 2 weeks) availability if seats/rooms are not taken by those with vehicles.

 

[chrsjrcj]

The Auto Train isn't even necessarily faster. Winter Park to Alexandria on 97/98 is 16h 44m compared to 17h on the Auto Train over a shorter distance. Not to mention that Sanford and Lorton aren't large cities and have far less transit connections than Orlando and DC.

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

How would they know the “if needed”? You can’t make a reservation to or from there on the other train!

The conductor on the train would know the schedule for the connecting train so can contact the other train if it appears the connection will be missed. For example, I was once on a 92 which was running about two hours late and there was a passenger bound for Wilson via a connection to 80. The conductors communicated with one another and determined to have 92 stop in Wilson rather than hold 80 for the connection.

 

[Dakota 400]

The only thing would be transportation to or from either Lorton or Sanford. The only way to get to or from the stations are by car. There are no trains or public transportation options.

I saw no taxis at either station so one would have to be called--if they would even care to get to the station. Lorton is truly a suburban area and Sanford's station is well off the beaten path for traffic that would not be mostly specific for the Amtrak Station.

 

[Cho Cho Charlie]

The Auto Train isn't even necessarily faster. Winter Park to Alexandria on 97/98 is 16h 44m compared to 17h on the Auto Train over a shorter distance. Not to mention that Sanford and Lorton aren't large cities and have far less transit connections than Orlando and DC.

I had not considered that the Silvers cover the same distance in less time (16m faster) even with all their local stops. I wonder why?

Expanding my though, I would envision a mini-Silver that would feed the North East, directly into Lorton. The mini-Silver would not need sleepers (Viewliners for sale!), as the over-night part of the trip would happen on the AT. The SunRail (or other rail) would support the Sanford station and Florida.

Though, maybe I am now into the Hub thread territory.

 

[railiner]

I had not considered that the Silvers cover the same distance in less time (16m faster) even with all their local stops. I wonder why?

Expanding my though, I would envision a mini-Silver that would feed the North East, directly into Lorton. The mini-Silver would not need sleepers (Viewliners for sale!), as the over-night part of the trip would happen on the AT. The SunRail (or other rail) would support the Sanford station and Florida.

Though, maybe I am now into the Hub thread territory.

Why would anyone want to transfer twice between the northeast and south florida just to ride the Auto Train, which would not save them any time, probably cost more, and doesn't really offer anything notable as an enticement?

 

[jiml]

Auto Train, which would not save them any time, probably cost more, and doesn't really offer anything notable as an enticement?

Except real food.