WAS to JAX: Silver Star or Meteor?

[Texan Eagle]

Thinking of redeeming AGR award for roomette for traveling WAS to JAX. Should I go for Silver Star or Silver Meteor?

One of them leaves WAS around 3pm and reaches at 6.55am, other leaves 7.30pm and reaches at 9.30am.

If I take Star, will I get breakfast before getting off in JAX at 6.55am? If I take Meteor, will I get dinner out of WAS after 7.30pm?

Star gives daylight in WAS to Virginia area, Meteor gives daylight in souther Georgia to Florida area.. which of the two are better in terms of scenery.. or doesn't matter?

 

[Dovecote]

I have traveled this itinerary in the past and prefer taking the Meteor. You will get dinner out of WAS and on one occasion for me (on a late train) I was given meal money to use locally instead. I also like arriving in JAX after the morning rush hour traffic. Scenery wise it is always nice to see DC once leaving the station but it is not a deal breaker. Enjoy the trip.

 

[pennyk]

I mix it up between the Star and the Meteor, however, I take the Meteor more often. My favorite sleeping car attendant, Leo, works the southbound Meteor and the northbound Star. Sometimes that fact affects my decision. Mainly, cost and timing/connections influence my decision as to which train to take.

Scenery is pretty much the same, except, usually on the Star, I get to see Ashland, Virginia in daylight, which is one of the prettiest towns located right on the tracks.

 

[jimhudson]

Penny probably rides this route as much as the OBS so I'll go with her views!

I personally prefer the Star Southbound since I'm so familiar with DC and the layover @ Union Station is shorter and as was said, you get to see Virginia in daylight, not much scenery in Southern Georgia or Florida!

If you're doing a round trip do the Star Southbound and the Meteor Northbound, best Scenery and Times!

And Leo is the Best OBS that Amtrak has IMO!

 

[Texan Eagle]

I am doing it only one way.

If I do Star southbound, will I be able to get breakfast before getting off at JAX at 6.55am? What time does the diner open for breakfast?

 

[Bob Dylan]

The Diner will Open @ 6:30AM so if the Train is On Time (dpubtful)you would want to either eat quick or get it "To Go". If running Late have your stuff ready and enjoy a leisurely Breakfast!

If for some reason its Very Late you may even get Lunch!!!

If Breakfast is Very Important to you take the Meteor as was said, you'll have a later start out of Union station but still get Dinner and Breakfast in the Diner!

 

[xyzzy]

Beware of moderately rough track between Cary, NC and Fairfax, SC (275 miles) on the route of the Silver Star. The second track on the Silver Meteor route can be moderately rough too, but the primary track on the Meteor route is much smoother. If you don't sleep well on trains, it could make a difference.

 

[7deuceman]

Each train has its good points. The Silver Star leaves DC earlier and arrives in JAX earlier.

However, the Silver Meteor allows for more time to be spent seeing sights in DC and is a quicker ride southbound, bypassing the dog-leg to Raleigh, Southern Pines and Columbia, etc. Plus, your arrival in JAX is after morning rush hour, which is a very big plus.

The scenery in NC is great but going southbound limited by darkness until morning. On the Silver Meteor, the scenery is great from Yemassee, SC., southbound, you'll see plenty of nature including tall pines, mossy oaks, palms, tall grasses, river inlets and tidal pools. Have your camera ready!

 

[pennyk]

The Diner will Open @ 6:30AM so if the Train is On Time (dpubtful)you would want to either eat quick or get it "To Go". If running Late have your stuff ready and enjoy a leisurely Breakfast!

If for some reason its Very Late you may even get Lunch!!!

If Breakfast is Very Important to you take the Meteor as was said, you'll have a later start out of Union station but still get Dinner and Breakfast in the Diner!

Checking the arrival times in JAX over the last few days, it was pretty much on time about half the time and late the rest.

 

[brentrain17]

This shows my ignorance and newness to your group but what is an OBS? I have considerable AGR points now and will take your advice of taking the Star southbound and the Meteor Northbound.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

OBS - On Board Staff

 

[user 1215]

It depends - do you want to sleep in the sleeper or stay awake and geek out timing station stops, seeing sleepy little towns along the way, etc? I do both...

I would take the Meteor. You would most likely get dinner AND breakfast. It's a faster ride, though - 2 hours shorter than the Silver.

Depending on how soon you want to depart, you will likely board the Meteor, go straight to the diner, and enjoy a beautiful sunset dinner as you approach Quantico. After that, the scenery is in the Woodlands. As you approach Savannah, you'll wake up and perhaps enjoy breakfast in the diner as you cross over the Savannah River. After SAV, you'll cross the mighty Ogeechee River, pass by my house, then you're back in the Woodlands.

A quick stop in Jesup, and you'll get to see the newly remodeled depot that was finally completed after years of bickering and fundraising.

As much as I try to enjoy both the Star and the Meteor, I find myself - both in terms of schedule, cost and convenience - riding the Meteor.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

Venture Forth, the Meteor is not faster than the Meteor. I mean unless a few cars uncouple and a air line problem prevents the train from going into emergency, that's physically impossible.

 

[user 1215]

Faster than the STAR. Edited just to make your comment seem silly.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

You mean the Star. They are both Silver.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

If it wasn't morning, I'd think V.F. was drinking. Then again.... j/k.

 

[xyzzy]

The Silver Meteor is indeed faster. North of Savannah, its route is 40 miles shorter than the route of the Silver Star. Much of the Star's route through the Carolinas is limited to 60 mph (the section I described earlier), whereas the Meteor runs at 79 mph when the dispatcher keeps it on the primary track. And if you go all the way to Miami, the Star backtracks for Tampa but the Meteor does not.

But from the perspective of a railfan, more miles and more elapsed time for the same fare just means more value per dollar expended.

 

[user 1215]

If it wasn't morning, I'd think V.F. was drinking. Then again.... j/k.

I'm sure someone spiked my morning coffee. It's been just that sorta day. Thanks GML for keeping me on the straight and narrow.