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I think that was true for many trains and certainly on the Coast Starlight with its PPC and lots of amenities, and wine tasting on some of the western trains and real china and flatware on all trains. Amtrak seemed determined to provide mediocre service on all trains- no exceptions! But I like...

That hasn’t been our experience. Since moving to FL in 2021 we’ve taken the A-T 7 times and each once has been better than the last. Our first one was 10 hours late with the diner being closed to passengers (lack of crew-Covid) and no AC in our sleeper. Without requesting it we got a full...

In addition, since this is the terminus for SunRail, a second track is required for the trains to occupy between trips and to eliminate any interference with six Amtrak trains and a CSX local freight. It's on the far side of the new platform. It would be unsafe for SunRail passengers to exit...

I don’t think they used a golden spike but the Deland station track is now in and ballasted awaiting tamping. While there, a 1 hour early auto train came through with 48 cars, 9 sleepers, 4 coaches. .

Today’s local newspaper, the West Volusia Beacon, has an article on the transition. While the counties will assume the cost to operate, it’s good to see FDOT will continue to manage operations for maybe three years during a transition period. SunRail set to change owners And here is a FDOT...

‘Trains’ Newswire today had an article on CSX rerouting traffic. Container traffic to NY ports and coal trains to Newport News coal piers. N. News can certainly handle it as traffic is way down from the days when CSX was considering the need to double track from Richmond. The old RF&P will be busy.

March 14 WSJ has an article on coach travel. (Paywall?) An excerpt: So why did I opt for a $123 coach seat on the Amtrak Silver Service, despite its reputation for breakdowns and mind-numbingly slow speeds? Because I stubbornly believed that a railroad adventure isn’t just a viable alternative...

And probably the same reason we have fixed booths in diners and lounges. Fortunately the Canadian hasn’t had to make that change. I do hope the next generation of these cars on Amtrak will bring back some of the so comfortable swivel chairs that the PPC had.

And here is the latest on the progress from Roaming Railfan

I wonder about the impact on NS and especially CSX. The Dundalk Marine Terminal is huge for both railroads- an important factor in CSX improving clearances for double stacks in the Howard street tunnel. In addition a significant amount of unit coal trains are operated into the Curtis Bay coal...

Generally the rates are lower in the opposite direction of the snowbirds. So, the fall northbound is a good time for lower fares and southbound in late spring. Be on the lookout too for flash sales (although they are generally during these times). The Seminole Town Center is open but clearly on...

Will the $200m Pennsylvania is kicking in for the start of the 2nd Pittsburgh train include anyone of this?

Since this thread has migrated across the Atlantic, I thought it appropriate to mention another classic compiler of timetables. On my first trip to Europe, 1968, I was armed with a Eurailpass and the Cooks Continental Timetable was my bible. I guess that period was analogous to the U.S...

Until mid 60’s, almost every small station and large terminals had a ticket agents where you could find a rack that provided free copies of the local railroads timetables and other major ones around the country. Of course the agents used the Official Guide of the Railways. The last one I have...

Got another newsletter about the Harvey House hotels in Winslow and Las Vegas, NM. It includied this info about Lamy and the Sky railroad. Glad to see the restaurant is back in business and apparently doing well. This excursion sounds fun, especially in ATSF the ‘Acoma’. Lamy Brunch and Train Ride

I don't know of a single source that will give you want you want. But I use these sources. The 1916 Official Guide will show the railroads in a much earlier era, but obviously not before that. The 1948 Railroad Atlas gives a more modern view of the rail lines at that time. And finally the early...

It's been about 6 months since i posted the photos above. On a sleepy Saturday I checked on progress again. The north end of the new parking lot for SunRail has been completed (first photo) and is in use. According to the Amtrak agent passengers are welcome to use it. Although a bit dicey to...

In college I made my train trip and beer money by selling and delivering the Richmond Times Dispatch. It was easy money - a subscription for students was $5/month and I got to keep $3. Don’t know how they made money, maybe it was loss leader for students to hook them on the paper. It was a...

While the idea of splitting the Star at Lakeland might not work, certainly there is need for better service to Tampa from Orlando. The Orlando paper had an article about yet another expansion of I-4 in addition to the planned Brightline Tampa service, both years away. A drive on I-4 can take...

Saw the Meteor in Deland with usual consists. Coaches were sort of clean, sleepers filthy. Pristine Chargers looked good. New Sunrail parking lot mostly paved, roof on the new platform canopy roof mostly finished and working on the attached small raised platform presumably for disabled access-...