Travel on the Silver Star

[jpakala]

On March 7 we took the Silver Star from WPB to DC, having a Viewliner 2 roomette. Our SCA was great. Concerned that the conductor never came, while waiting for one of the two restrooms I did meet her when she came out and asked about her seeing our ticket (knowing from Amtrak Unlimited discussion to make sure this happens). She replied "Oh yes I saw it," adding that she's worked for Amtrak for over 20 years. The sleeping car was very nice (on Superliners we avoid roomettes because they're so cramped, or we get two). We didn't appreciate going down the aisle day or night and waiting for a restroom at busy times, so in that regard we like the Viewliner 1, not to mention its much nicer wheelchair-accessible bedroom (which we had once from NYC to Chicago after a broken leg). After our afternoon boarding at WPB we had lunch with tablecloth, flowers, Amtrak silverware, etc. and it was delicious. The waiter asked us to sit on one side of the table so that someone else could be seated across from us. So also at dinner, breakfast, and lunch the next day we both sat facing forward but nobody ever joined us and there were at least a couple of empty tables at all times. All meals and the service were great. The train was always on time or very close. We didn't notice any rough sections, and the sleepers were at the rear, so if horn-blowing caused any problem we were unaware of it.

 

[Keith1951]

Whats up with the Silver Star? It seems to be sold out in the rooms after November 2024 all the way to April 2025.

 

[MARC Rider]

Whats up with the Silver Star? It seems to be sold out in the rooms after November 2024 all the way to April 2025.

Try reserving it from Washington with a NEC connection. There are rumors that the Capitol Limited is going single level. using the Silver Star consist, and maybe through running Cicago to Miami. Just remember that these are rumors with no basis in fact

 

[Keith1951]

Try reserving it from Washington with a NEC connection. There are rumors that the Capitol Limited is going single level. using the Silver Star consist, and maybe through running Cicago to Miami. Just remember that these are rumors with no basis in fact

Yea, I was looking at NYP- MIAMI.

 

[zephyr17]

Whats up with the Silver Star? It seems to be sold out in the rooms after November 2024 all the way to April 2025.

Sales of space of all types, coach and sleepers, on the Star north of WAS blocked ("sold out") effective 11/10/24. Space of all types remains available at WAS and points south.

 

[Keith1951]

Sales of space of all types, coach and sleepers, on the Star north of WAS blocked ("sold out") effective 11/10/24. Space of all types remains available at WAS and points south.

Thanks. Is there a reason?

 

[zephyr17]

Thanks. Is there a reason?

This is the primary candidate:

Try reserving it from Washington with a NEC connection. There are rumors that the Capitol Limited is going single level. using the Silver Star consist, and maybe through running Cicago to Miami. Just remember that these are rumors with no basis in fact

 

[JWM]

Whats up with the Silver Star? It seems to be sold out in the rooms after November 2024 all the way to April 2025.

Florida high season with limited Viewliners or computer error?

 

[joelkfla]

Thanks. Is there a reason?

The root cause may be the planned closure of one of the tunnels between NJ & NY for rehab, thus reducing capacity into NYP. I'm not sure whether this has been confirmed.

 

[zephyr17]

Florida high season with limited Viewliners or computer error?

It isn't actually sold out. It is showing "sold out" for all types of space from seats to bedrooms for all stations north of WAS from 11/10/24 on. That's a block.

There is normal availability in all classes from WAS south.

 

[JWM]

It isn't actually sold out. It is showing "sold out" for all types of space from seats to bedrooms for all stations north of WAS from 11/10/24 on. That's a block.

There is normal availability in all classes from WAS south.

Could they be starting the trains in D.C. and, if so, why?

 

[zephyr17]

Could they be starting the trains in D.C. and, if so, why?

Rumor is they are going to shift the Capitol Limited to single level from Superliner, truncate the Star to Washington and use its consist for the Capitol.

Another data point is on the same date as the sales start being blocked on the Star north of WAS the Capitol's inventory in the reservations system appears to shift from a pattern consistent with two Superliner sleepers to one consistent with two Viewliners. 4 Bedrooms instead of 10, no Family Room.