When is Sleeping Car returning to WAS-BOS overnight train?

[Cal]

No. There’s no inherent, natural law that says a train with a sleeper needs a diner. The Silver Star (pre-COVID) didn’t have a diner.

Does it have a diner now-

 

[Mailliw]

Just a thought, but if Amtrak installed showers at the lounges in DC and Boston that could make overnight service even more popular if coach and Business class passengers could buy a pass.

 

[Heading North]

I’m wondering if the Washington turn is to keep the sleeper close to the NEC in case it’s needed elsewhere, and avoiding the potential for a short turn or misconnect in NPN if CSX is problematic. (Does the 67 consist come back as the same day’s 66 normally?) But personally I’m a little miffed as ALX is my closest station and I’d love the option! Took the sleeper twice northbound from MET to BOS when I lived in NJ, but that was two decades ago and the departure was close to midnight instead of 1-something-am. And many trips in (surprisingly packed) coach cars.

That said, while I doubt they would go through with it, it could maybe work either 1) as a set-out/through sleeper in DC for a train like the Palmetto, Cardinal, or Carolinian for connections north of NYP or 2) as an efficient equipment turn for other trains, like a single-level Capitol Limited.

 

[Palmetto]

I actually checked with Amtrak. Their response was that there is such a rumor. There will be an official announcement when it becomes official.

It is currently not in the reservation system. It will appear there if and when it becomes official.

The $340 fare on and after April 5 in the reservation system is for a two train connection with BOS - NYP on an Acela BC at 9:10am and then a regular LD train Roomette NYP to WAS. I checked.

Having said all that I have good reasons to believe that it will come to pass and will likely be announced on Monday. But it has not officially yet.

Thanks for checking that. I was mistaken to think that the trains showing the $340 fare was #67.

 

[railiner]

For what it's worth, I just checked the total fare from NYP to Washington in a Roomette on the Cardinal and the Silver Star...$257.00 on March 12th...Coach fares on those two trains were $128 or $60, respectively...so kind of hard to extrapolate from that what the Roomette charge may be for that segment or what the total may be from Boston to Washington, since there are no sleepers currently between Boston and New York.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

For what it's worth, I just checked the total fare from NYP to Washington in a Roomette on the Cardinal and the Silver Star...$257.00 on March 12th...Coach fares on those two trains were $128 or $60, respectively...so kind of hard to extrapolate from that what the Roomette charge may be for that segment or what the total may be from Boston to Washington, since there are no sleepers currently between Boston and New York.

Might be less since meals won't be provided. The Cardinal and, I assume, the Silver Star serves a meal between NYP and WAS.

 

[Tlcooper44]

Late to the party, but no less excited. I will be getting the ticket and traveling on April 5!

 

[RebelRider]

This is great news. I assume it'll use Viewliner II's as well, if it happens?

One would think you'd put your best, newest equipment on the corridor, but this service will be operated with a Viewliner I. Perhaps they want to keep the VLIIs captive to Hialeah for now.

That is good news. But why not keep them on 66/67 to Newport News? No additional sleepers required and Hampton Roads area, as well as tourists and students in Williamsburg, would generate additional revenue and eliminate switching at Washington.

As of right now, there are no plans to remove/add the sleeper at WAS. It will deadhead between WAS-NPN. Don't really understand this one. Perhaps the ridership/revenue estimates south of WAS wouldn't cover the cost of an SCA down and back.

I’m wondering if the Washington turn is to keep the sleeper close to the NEC in case it’s needed elsewhere, and avoiding the potential for a short turn or misconnect in NPN if CSX is problematic. (Does the 67 consist come back as the same day’s 66 normally?)

In BOS, 66 turns for 65/67 same day and in NPN 65/67 turns for 66 same day.

 

[Cal]

One would think you'd put your best, newest equipment on the corridor, but this service will be operated with a Viewliner I. Perhaps they want to keep the VLIIs captive to Hialeah for now.

Where did you get the information of viewliner Is being used?

 

[Ryan]

Plus our own Rebel Rider posted to keep our eyes open. RR is a trustworthy poster.

 

[Palmetto]

Whatever happened to ThirdRail7?

 

[jiml]

One would think you'd put your best, newest equipment on the corridor, but this service will be operated with a Viewliner I. Perhaps they want to keep the VLIIs captive to Hialeah for now.

I wonder if there's some argument to be made for having the in-room facilities on a train that's exclusively overnight, as opposed to having to go down the hall? Might not be a bad thing.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Whatever happened to ThirdRail7?

Don't know. I think about him sometimes. I sent a pm to him a while ago and he has not responded.

 

[pennyk]

Where did you get the information of viewliner Is being used?

Rebel Rider is a very reliable source.

 

[Cal]

Rebel Rider is a very reliable source.

Okay, got it

 

[rms492]

Hi, would anyone know if this train would operate at 110 or 125mph? I think the idea of being in a sleeper, laying down, in a darkened room looking at the night lights, being hauled at 110 or 125 would be an awesome experience!

 

[railiner]

[QUOTE="RebelRider, post: 880509, member: 14539"

As of right now, there are no plans to remove/add the sleeper at WAS. It will deadhead between WAS-NPN. Don't really understand this one. Perhaps the ridership/revenue estimates south of WAS wouldn't cover the cost of an SCA down and back.

[/QUOTE]
Maybe it will free up table space in the dinette...thinking the train crew between WAS and NPN might move their "office" there....

 

[Cal]

Hi, would anyone know if this train would operate at 110 or 125mph? I think the idea of being in a sleeper, laying down, in a darkened room looking at the night lights, being hauled at 110 or 125 would be an awesome experience!

I would assume it would operate at the top speeds so 125.

 

[Seaboard92]

I honestly think its a great addition to the network. I'll definitely be trying this service out this year just so I can get the Downeaster. I really hope the Vermonter comes back by then too so I can attach that to the same trip as well. It now makes it possible for me to take the Palmetto from my area to Boston with a change in Washington.

I hope Amtrak does a good soft product for this route.

 

[Mailliw]

I wonder if there's some argument to be made for having the in-room facilities on a train that's exclusively overnight, as opposed to having to go down the hall? Might not be a bad thing.

Nope, not sleeping with a toilet at my feet.

 

[fdaley]

When Amtrak took off this sleeper temporarily in 2003, I never imagined it would take 17-plus years for it to return. I'll be very happy to see it back. I used to use it fairly often in the '80s and '90s to get to and from Boston, often en route to/from Maine. I remember that we had a roomette booked on 67 to Washington (it had recently been renamed The Federal) on the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week in 2003, and we received a call a couple of weeks ahead saying the sleeper had been removed from the train. Because it was the busiest travel week, it was a bit of a scramble to work out a Plan B.

Regarding the loading south of Washington, my one experience going south of D.C. in the Twilight Shoreliner era was when we took a roomette from New York to Richmond on our way to a wedding in 1998. The car seemed full out of New York (it left earlier then, about 1:30 a.m.). Arrival into Washington was also earlier, maybe 6 a.m., but almost everyone piled off there. I think there was only one room besides ours that was occupied south of D.C.

 

[Willbridge]

Hi, would anyone know if this train would operate at 110 or 125mph? I think the idea of being in a sleeper, laying down, in a darkened room looking at the night lights, being hauled at 110 or 125 would be an awesome experience!

That's what ÖBB NightJet is for.

 

[NS VIA Fan]

Nope, not sleeping with a toilet at my feet.

I used to think a Roomette (old style) on the Ocean (and Canadian) were the greatest....compact and cozy! But I just cringe now at the thought of that commode in the room with you and all that surrounding carpeting! Now (Covid aside) on the Ocean I'll take nothing less than a Ren Bedroom with an ensuite Washroom/Shower.

 

[railiner]

OTOH, I'd bet that they could run a soiid train consisting of Slumbercoaches (if they could solve the retention toilet problem) on this train.
BTW, does anyone recall if the Slumbercoaches had carpeting, or the easier to clean linoleum floors? Cant' recall...

 

[Tlcooper44]

Hi, would anyone know if this train would operate at 110 or 125mph? I think the idea of being in a sleeper, laying down, in a darkened room looking at the night lights, being hauled at 110 or 125 would be an awesome experience!

What are Viewliner I's rated at for speed? I doubt the train will get up to 125mph. This trip needs to take 9 hours don't forget.