Recent content by ACVitale

I think the issue is that LAY is travelling with someone who has a valid passport from their country but, is not here legally. They probably came in as a tourist or similar and never left. (Common). They are concerned that if the ICE team boards the train the "friend" will be detained and/or...

Well the low rates on Sleepers on the Silvers have disappeared. Went to book a trip this week last minute and they are back in the stratosphere! I did a quick check on Amsnag and they are way high for the foreseeable future. A quick call to res found plenty of sleepers avail but they are up...

On the Silver Star about a week ago one sleeper had the automatic coffee machine which was working 9110, the other sleeper had a normal coffee pot that was not plugged in and turned on with no coffee made. I believe the SCA was lazy on this one that was car 9111. Ironically, Ran into JIS on the...

To date it seems like bedbugs have not been a problem on Amtrak EXCEPT for on the Autotrain which seems to have had a recurring problem in both coach and some sleepers. Has it been handled and have they been eliminated is hard to say. I have experienced Bedbugs at the Doubletree hotel in...

For departures from Charlotte to Greensboro you can use the Carolinian or the Crescent for either AM or PM arrivals into WAS and back you get the option of AM or PM departures from WAS. You can do the same from Raliegh to Greensboro by taking Piedmont service to GSO and laying over until the...

I drive from Franklin thru Asheville to take the Carolinian and Piedmont services. SAL is a nice area and the station while not 24/7 seems a pretty safe area to park in. KAN is also pretty good. CLT is obviously the closest but it is in a less then desireable part of town. That not...

Noticed on todays 75 and 76 that a loaner Amtrak P42 was replacing the NC DOT P59s. Asked the conductor about it. Apparently, a bit of a shortage in equipment is affecting 73 74 75 76. One unknown engine type damaged in collision with low boy truck (see article...

Silvers are all viewliners. No Family rooms avail. EVER! The bedrooms are sold out. This is roomette only Hope that clairifies.

Out of RGH to WPB. Glad I have the sleeper, even if I cannot sleep, lightning is rather spectacular and I cannot sleep as I stare out the window at the light show. I am actually posting from 91 outside Columbia SC where we are running a little over 3 hrs late. 76 was on time from CLT to GSO...

I am still surprised. I generally book last minute (Same day to 1 week out). I have never gotten a sleeper for less then $369 + railfare on that route. As I said. Very happy.... However, Surprised as the sleepers tended to go up as they filled up and they almost always sold out.

According to the NC DOT site the Western Asheville train is still the priority over the Eastern train. Not sure if a 6 hr ride would be competitive with a less then 3 hr car ride. I have seen a lot of NS moving on the line (Black mountain the obvious exception) I know I saw construction and...

I have been used to paying $300-529 per sleeper roomette on the Silvers the last 6 months or so. I have a last minute trip that I went to Amsnag to check on the prices. WHOA! Imagine my surprise when I saw several days of sleepers at $160-220 Needless to say. I was shocked. So I booked and...

I wish they had the smack down but, it has not happened yet. To the defense of some of the Repubs trying to kill it the vast majority of the money is being spent on the Charlotte area cross connection to move the station to a multi modal station. In the process NS and CSX are getting a massive...

I have an HTC/Google Nexus One android phone. I have several GPS applications plus the navigation function built in. Works fine on the train. I highly recommend as fewer electronics you need to carry. Before that i had used a USB GPS antenna into the laptop combined with Microsoft Streets and...

I actually ride the Carolinian fairly often. The train gets a bit crowded in both Business class and Coach south of Richmond. South/West of Raleigh it is VERY FULL and often SOLD OUT Business class seating is 2x2 the same as coach. Business class and Coach class are both in AmFleet I cars...