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Just rode the Silver Meteor from FL to VA. The train was 1 hr. late at my FL station and about 3 hours late at the VA station. Overnight we had a long pause idling in NC. I was told that the wait was due to freight congestion at the big yard in NC. On the plus side, that allowed relief -- and a good nap-- from the constant chattering, jitter, sway, clatter, bump, etc. that was pronounced beginning north of Savannah and continuous through SC and into NC. I noticed it the last time I travelled this route. Was it the design of the VL 2 sleeper car? Was my room over springs or wheels (I don't think it was)? Is the railbed itself in need of significant overhaul? Or maybe I'm being too sensitive? Should I just suck it up or should I fuss with someone? CSX--who is supposed to maintain the tracks? Or Amt
rak who ought to have some leverage with CSX?
 
Just rode the Silver Meteor from FL to VA. The train was 1 hr. late at my FL station and about 3 hours late at the VA station. Overnight we had a long pause idling in NC. I was told that the wait was due to freight congestion at the big yard in NC. On the plus side, that allowed relief -- and a good nap-- from the constant chattering, jitter, sway, clatter, bump, etc. that was pronounced beginning north of Savannah and continuous through SC and into NC. I noticed it the last time I travelled this route. Was it the design of the VL 2 sleeper car? Was my room over springs or wheels (I don't think it was)? Is the railbed itself in need of significant overhaul? Or maybe I'm being too sensitive? Should I just suck it up or should I fuss with someone? CSX--who is supposed to maintain the tracks? Or Amt
rak who ought to have some leverage with CSX?

Three hours late to your VA station actually sounds like a good thing if the schedule is the same as the last time I checked it. If on time, they toss you out in VA at the crack of dawn. If 3 hours late, you should have had time for a relaxing start to the day and a good full breakfast.

That early arrival time is why I take the Star from Florida to Alexandria— it gets in midafternoon. The trade-off is that the Star’s route is even bumpier than the Meteor’s wherever they go during the night. When I really haven’t been able to sleep, I just sit up in bed and open the curtain and watch the lights and small towns go by. I usually fall asleep after a while.
 
When traditional dining returns on 6/26 on 97/98; will coach passengers be allowed in the dining car?
 
Trains are supposed to be smooth and comfortable, not bumpy. Are we really that deep into apologizing for the rail system in this country that we tell fellow travelers to suck it up?
FRA supposedly has the power to tell Freights to stop interfering with Amtrak OTP. Do they also have the power to tell them to maintain their rails to a level of quality that will provide a reasonably comfortable ride?
 
Our handicapped son will be taking the Silver Star roundtrip from Raleigh to Tampa later this month. He will be in the H bedroom both ways: car 9110 down and 9211 back.

Does anyone know which car adjoins the diner? On the leg where he’s one car away we will probably make sure he has some food with him. Thanks.
 
Our handicapped son will be taking the Silver Star roundtrip from Raleigh to Tampa later this month. He will be in the H bedroom both ways: car 9110 down and 9211 back.

Does anyone know which car adjoins the diner? On the leg where he’s one car away we will probably make sure he has some food with him. Thanks.
Yes, it is the car number ending in 10.
 
Does anyone know if Tampa station has high level platforms?

My handicapped son will be headed north on the Silver Star to Raleigh (which has high level platforms) next week. If the platforms are high level, we can wheel him directly into bedroom H. Otherwise, it would probably be easier to just check the wheelchair and have him use his walker. Thanks.
 
Does anyone know if Tampa station has high level platforms?

My handicapped son will be headed north on the Silver Star to Raleigh (which has high level platforms) next week. If the platforms are high level, we can wheel him directly into bedroom H. Otherwise, it would probably be easier to just check the wheelchair and have him use his walker. Thanks.
I was in Tampa last month and the Star used the high level platform. When I was there in January, the Star used the low level platform.
 
Since the website asks about disabilities or assistance it sounds like they use the hi level if needed.
I doubt that they're that well organized. More likely, there was some work going on that caused them to use the old platform.

There will be a lift available if the train's at the low platform. @Bronzeman , you may want to request the lift even with a walker if your son has difficulty climbing the step-stool and the steps.
 
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