Silver Star/Silver Meteor combined train (Jan - Oct 2022)

[joelkfla]

We will be taking the Star north from FL to BAL in November. Is there anything different from a year ago? Are more Viewliner II in service?

Any input appreciated!

Well, a year ago both the Meteor & the Star were running daily; now only the Star is running with the cars from both trains. The number of sleepers, and the number of VL II's, on the current Star are the same as were usually on both trains combined.

The latest from Amtrak is that they will start running both trains again starting in October, but they've already missed 2 previously announced restart dates, and seeing the amount of trouble they're currently having with staffing & equipment, it's anyone's guess as to whether that will happen.

The other change is that they've tweaked the Flex dining entrees, and most people think they're slightly improved. And masks are now optional.

 

[user 14106]

This particular date is hopefully more promising as there was a more definitive comment recently from an Amtrak executive specific to the Meteor. With previous dates management was non commital and never formally announced which services would be able to come back on the dates.

 

[joelkfla]

One more change: On my trip last fall, in the dining car the LSA took orders and brought food to the table. On my June trip, sleeper passengers were still able to eat in the diner, but there was no table service; meals had to be preordered with the SCA, and were handed out at the kitchen door.

I'm not sure, but I think it was a procedure change, not just variability of OBS crews.

 

[Anderson]

One more change: On my trip last fall, in the dining car the LSA took orders and brought food to the table. On my June trip, sleeper passengers were still able to eat in the diner, but there was no table service; meals had to be preordered with the SCA, and were handed out at the kitchen door.

I'm not sure, but I think it was a procedure change, not just variability of OBS crews.

On my trip a few weeks ago (which was a mess on Amtrak's end), I was only given the option of room service after boarding at ORL.

 

[joelkfla]

Only 4 sleepers on today's 92. The 3rd VL II is missing. This is somewhat concerning.

ETA: Just checked 91(20). It's the same. Looks like this may be a change to the consist, not just a 1-day shortage.

I can't check today's 91 yet or yesterday's 92, because the Ashland VA railcam has been removed from YouTube. All we have left for the Silvers are Plant City FL & Folkston GA. Only 12 hours of rewind are available.

 

[Hans627]

I was looking for the YouTube video from Ashland and couldn't find it. Why has it been removed?

And why is it concerning about the VL II missing?

Thanks!

 

[joelkfla]

I was looking for the YouTube video from Ashland and couldn't find it. Why has it been removed?

Nobody knows. Virtual Railfan doesn't say. Possibilities include they lost the sponsor for that camera, or legal issues.

And why is it concerning about the VL II missing?

It might indicate equipment or staffing availability issues for Viewliner sleepers, as we've been seeing with Superliners. Or it might not; perhaps there just isn't enough demand.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Only 4 sleepers on today's 92. The 3rd VL II is missing. This is somewhat concerning.

ETA: Just checked 91(20). It's the same. Looks like this may be a change to the consist, not just a 1-day shortage.

I can't check today's 91 yet or yesterday's 92, because the Ashland VA railcam has been removed from YouTube. All we have left for the Silvers are Plant City FL & Folkston GA. Only 12 hours of rewind are available.

92(20) has 4 sleepers. 2 of each kind. Also has 6 coaches

 

[pennyk]

Nobody knows. Virtual Railfan doesn't say. Possibilities include they lost the sponsor for that camera, or legal issues.

It might indicate equipment or staffing availability issues for Viewliner sleepers, as we've been seeing with Superliners. Or it might not; perhaps there just isn't enough demand.

I have heard from someone that heard from someone that heard from someone that the Meteor will only be running with 2 sleepers when it returns 10/3. Because of that "rumor" (and it is a rumor so far), I have jumped through many hoops to change my 10/6 reservation from 9712 to another car without paying more. I was not able to do so, but I am now on 91.

 

[Hans627]

Are there any other rail cams that could be used to see the consists on the SS or SM?

Nobody knows. Virtual Railfan doesn't say. Possibilities include they lost the sponsor for that camera, or legal issues.

 

[joelkfla]

92(20) has 4 sleepers. 2 of each kind. Also has 6 coaches

The first coach might have been deadheading. 92(21) has a cafe car at the front, presumably deadheading.

I have heard from someone that heard from someone that heard from someone that the Meteor will only be running with 2 sleepers when it returns 10/3. Because of that "rumor" (and it is a rumor so far), I have jumped through many hoops to change my 10/6 reservation from 9712 to another car without paying more. I was not able to do so, but I am now on 91.

I just checked my ticket, and I'm in 9812 on a Philly trip in late October. I thought we were immune from the CZ/SWC nonsense. Now I'm worried.

I'm also in 9213 the week before they're scheduled to resume the Meteor (was originally booked in the Meteor). I hope they don't delete another sleeper.

ETA: Just checked, and both H-rooms in the Star are still available at the same fare, but then I lose half a day of sightseeing in Philly. Decisions, decisions!

 

[joelkfla]

Are there any other rail cams that could be used to see the consists on the SS or SM?

Yes, I mentioned them in my post:

I can't check today's 91 yet or yesterday's 92, because the Ashland VA railcam has been removed from YouTube. All we have left for the Silvers are Plant City FL & Folkston GA. Only 12 hours of rewind are available.

 

[Hans627]

Sorry, I missed that. Thank you!

 

[amy1277]

I just checked my ticket, and I'm in 9812 on a Philly trip in late October. I thought we were immune from the CZ/SWC nonsense. Now I'm worried.

Me too! I’m in 9112 (which is 3rd sleeper, correct?) on September 17th. I keep seeing the dreaded “Changes will be made to the travel…” when I click on the details of the trip in the app (for 2 weeks it has said this), but everything is still showing the same as I booked it.
I have called Guest Rewards twice to ask what it means and they say they see everything the same as I do and there are no changes.
However, if they are in fact doing a consist change it seems like I’d be affected.
I’ve already switched from Meteor to Star so not much more I can do aside from ride in coach! Lol.

 

[Joe from PA]

I was looking for the YouTube video from Ashland and couldn't find it. Why has it been removed?

Here's the odd thing. I have been able to view the North camera, only because its a go-to, bookmarked, on my laptop. But this is not available when I enter it (youtube.com/watch?=zys9cWMwfpY). That just takes me to youtube.com. Yes, it is today's date and correct time.

 

[joelkfla]

Me too! I’m in 9112 (which is 3rd sleeper, correct?) on September 17th. I keep seeing the dreaded “Changes will be made to the travel…” when I click on the details of the trip in the app (for 2 weeks it has said this), but everything is still showing the same as I booked it.
I have called Guest Rewards twice to ask what it means and they say they see everything the same as I do and there are no changes.
However, if they are in fact doing a consist change it seems like I’d be affected.
I’ve already switched from Meteor to Star so not much more I can do aside from ride in coach! Lol.

Yes, it's the 3rd sleeper, bit you're in a different situation, because your trip is before they're scheduled to resume the Meteor, so you're in the combined Star, which currently is running with 4 sleepers. You should be OK, unless they delete 2 more sleepers from the combined Star, or reduce to less than 7 days a week. Hopefully, things don't get that dire.

I don't know what that message is about. I'm booked in the 4th sleeper on the combined Star in the last week of September, and I'm not getting it.

 

[amy1277]

Yes, it's the 3rd sleeper, bit you're in a different situation, because your trip is before they're scheduled to resume the Meteor, so you're in the combined Star, which currently is running with 4 sleepers. You should be OK, unless they delete 2 more sleepers from the combined Star, or reduce to less than 7 days a week. Hopefully, things don't get that dire.

I don't know what that message is about. I'm booked in the 4th sleeper on the combined Star in the last week of September, and I'm not getting it.

Oh, ok- apologies, as I completely misread your original post on the topic!
I thought you meant the 3rd sleeper car, not the 3rd VLII. Meaning I thought they got rid of the 12 car.
Haven’t had my coffee yet! Haha.

 

[joelkfla]

Here's the odd thing. I have been able to view the North camera, only because its a go-to, bookmarked, on my laptop. But this is not available when I enter it (youtube.com/watch?=zys9cWMwfpY). That just takes me to youtube.com. Yes, it is today's date and correct time.

That is curious. When I search for Ashland railcam or Ashland virtual railfan, it doesn't find the camera.

Have you ever been a Virtual Railfan member? Maybe there's a leftover cookie giving you member access.

As to the reason for its removal, I just found this on the description:
"Because of recent criminal activity, we are taking a proactive step to limit the visibility of the Ashland cameras, and they are currently Members Only. We will return them to the public as soon as we possibly can."

 

[Joe from PA]

That is curious. When I search for Ashland railcam or Ashland virtual railfan, it doesn't find the camera.

Have you ever been a Virtual Railfan member? Maybe there's a leftover cookie giving you member access.

As to the reason for its removal, I just found this on the description:
"Because of recent criminal activity, we are taking a proactive step to limit the visibility of the Ashland cameras, and they are currently Members Only. We will return them to the public as soon as we possibly can."

Yes, I am. However, I can only bring up the ""North" camera, which is the one on my bookmark list. A search did not work. That being the case, I'll report on 91 now and then

 

[Amtrak709]

That is curious. When I search for Ashland railcam or Ashland virtual railfan, it doesn't find the camera.

Have you ever been a Virtual Railfan member? Maybe there's a leftover cookie giving you member access.

As to the reason for its removal, I just found this on the description:
"Because of recent criminal activity, we are taking a proactive step to limit the visibility of the Ashland cameras, and they are currently Members Only. We will return them to the public as soon as we possibly can."

I wonder what that means "criminal activity"? I have been a member of Virtual Rail off and on (currently off) for years. I visit the Ashland VA site frequently primarily because of the shear number of Amtrak trains through Ashland (the Silvers + about 20 others a day I think).

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

Just got a email rebooked from 12 car to 10 car. This is for October. So yes no third sleeper on the Sliver Meteor.

 

[joelkfla]

The red exclamation point appeared on the app while I was waiting for AGR callback. Agent confirmed that 9712 & 9812 cars have been deleted; I didn't think to ask for how long.

So I'm rebooked on the Star in 9210. Agent said the server that sends out e-tickets is down, so it may be a while 'till I get the email, but I do see the update on the app.

The Star's OTP has been pretty bad lately. I hope it improves when it's back to its normal size, as I'm not crazy about arriving near midnight. For now, the e-ticket is showing arrival time on the modified SuperStar schedule; maybe that will change on 10/3.

 

[chrsjrcj]

I’m booked on 98 on 11/11 and was looking at possibly moving my reservation to 11/12. All the roomettes are completely booked almost 3 months in advance.

I wonder if Amtrak will try to staff the 2 sleepers with 1 attendant.

 

[pennyk]

I saw 92 this evening at a crossing north of the ORL station. There were 5 coaches, cafe, diner and only 4 sleepers.

I am glad I was able to switch my 9712 bedroom to a 9110 bedroom over the weekend. I have not looked, but my guess is that the bedrooms are now sold out for the dates on which I have traveling.

 

[Laurajeantx]

We are booked on the 9811 on 12/2. So far no changes but that is still a ways off.