Typically my transportation focus here at OMAAT is on planes, but I also like to share other interesting experiences. Recently I traveled across Florida on Amtrak, and it was… well, an experience.
In this post:
Why I traveled across Florida on Amtrak
Recently, I was going to visit my parents in the Tampa area. Living in Miami, I usually just decide to fly if I’m traveling alone, since I find it to be the most efficient. The flight takes around 40 minutes, but then of course there’s transportation required on both ends. Either way, I prefer it to the monotonous four hour drive.
Recently we were in West Palm Beach for a couple of weeks, and I needed to go to Tampa. West Palm Beach is quite a distance north of Miami. So I had three options:
- I could drive, which is a roughly 3.5 hour journey; however, Ford and I have just one car, so I would’ve had to rent a car, which seemed like a pain
- I could fly from Fort Lauderdale to Tampa; however, we’re talking about a 50+ minute drive from West Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale, in addition to the drive on the other end, and that didn’t seem efficient either, in terms of cost and time
- I could take Amtrak, which is a roughly four hour journey; Amtrak has once per day service between West Palm Beach and Tampa
Of those options, Amtrak seemed like the obvious choice. The stations on both ends are reasonably convenient, the price was right, it would allow me to avoid the long drive, and I can always be productive on a a train. So I booked a seat for $57 all-in.
Let me mention that in Florida, we’re blessed with Brightline, which is probably one of the best train systems in the United States. It goes between Miami and Orlando (with stops along the way). However, as of now, it doesn’t continue to Tampa, though that’s eventually in the cards, and I can’t wait (if it actually happens).
I was curious about Amtrak’s Floridian service
I understand that in the Northeast, Amtrak is a convenient way to get around between major cities. However, in most of the country, Amtrak’s network leaves a lot to be desired, reflecting larger public transportation issues in the United States.
For example, I was taking the Amtrak Floridian, which originates in Miami and goes all the way to Chicago. The Tampa stop is actually out of the way, as that’s a turnaround point for the train, presumably reflecting where there’s demand.
Big picture, I find this to be such a bizarre service. After all, who would take a 46-hour journey from Miami to Chicago, when you can get a flight for roughly the same cost.
So I was curious to experience this service firsthand. Who takes Amtrak on this route, and is the Miami to Chicago service really largely about regional connectivity that makes up part of a larger network, or are there people going all the way?
I’ve gotta be honest, I was tempted to upgrade to a roomette for $173, which includes meals in addition to a private space, though I was more curious to see what the crowd was like on this service, so decided against it.
My experience riding Amtrak across Florida
I was (perhaps naively) expecting that no one would actually take this train, and it would be mostly empty. To my surprise, it was well over half full, though almost everyone seemed to be traveling to Tampa. I saw the checked bags, and every single one was tagged for Tampa.
So I guess this train service really does provide regional connectivity in Florida, and shouldn’t so much be viewed as a 46-hour joyride from Miami to Chicago. By the way, you’ve gotta love how historic and cool so many train stations in the United States are, despite the limited connectivity.
The train itself was comfortable enough. It wasn’t modern, but seats were spacious, and I found it to be quite pleasant for an afternoon ride (though I sure wouldn’t want to be in a regular seat on an overnight journey).
Food was entirely for purchase from the cafe car, and there was an okay selection.
I got a greek salad and some pretzels. I also ordered an iced tea, but stupidly, I realized it was sweetened when I got to my seat.
The thing that stood out to me the most about the ride was the crowd. I’m trying to think about the polite way to describe this… I guess there was just an element of culture shock, beyond what I otherwise ordinarily see in public.
It’s weird, because you’d think that in theory, the customer profile would be similar to Brightline’s service, and you’d assume some people are just looking to travel between Tampa and other points in Florida as conveniently as possible. But… like…
For example, the people seated right behind me struck up a conversation, as they quickly found they had a lot in common — the man had just been released from prison the day before, and the lady was going to Tampa to visit her son, who was locked up.
Separately, at the station, a woman ran into an old colleague, and introduced her stepson to him. “We used to work together at the Bureau of Prisons.”
About 20 minutes before we arrived in Tampa, an older lady with two bags came up, and tried to take a seat in the first row, next to another woman (there’s no assigned seating on this train). The second she did this, the other woman spread her body across both seats and said “what do you think you’re doing, you b*tch, these are my seats?”
The woman who had approached explained she needed extra time to get off the train, and the other woman just repeated that she couldn’t sit there, and she also escalated her rhetoric, calling her a c*nt. Nice.
Since I was seated diagonally back from this situation and had an empty seat next to me, the lady asked if she could sit next to me. I said “of course,” and then I essentially became part of the conflict. “See, unlike you, he’s not an a**hole.” The woman then spent the next five minutes talking to me about how mean the other woman was, and I just nodded my head.
In the end, I helped carry the woman’s bags to her car (at her request), and she said that she’d marry me if I weren’t married, and that my “wife” is very lucky. Oh my. The train arrived around 30 minutes late, which for Amtrak, seems like decent performance.
Bottom line
When I recently needed to travel between West Palm Beach and Tampa, I took Amtrak, which offers the most direct option. While it’s not a particularly fast journey, I found it to be comfortable enough. The crowd onboard was definitely unique, compared to what I’ve otherwise found onboard most flights or Brightline. I wouldn’t hesitate to take Amtrak again, though next time, I might give a roomette a try…
Ben, I live a few hours north of you in the Space Coast (Brevard County). That is definitively the South Florida crowd, typical Miami (and why MIA is the worst airport in the state, full of Super Smash Bros airport brawlers & miscreants). That's not at all representative of the rest of Florida or Amtrak customers. I took Amtrak from NY Moynihan down to Orlando solo, then Orlando-Baltimore with family on a later trip, and...
Ben, I live a few hours north of you in the Space Coast (Brevard County). That is definitively the South Florida crowd, typical Miami (and why MIA is the worst airport in the state, full of Super Smash Bros airport brawlers & miscreants). That's not at all representative of the rest of Florida or Amtrak customers. I took Amtrak from NY Moynihan down to Orlando solo, then Orlando-Baltimore with family on a later trip, and am planning to go from Kissimmee to North Carolina with family this fall. The people we met on board ranged from college students, retirees, to families, and everyone was quite civilized. No foul mouthed, combative, chatty strangers.
VERY few people ride trains like the Palmetto, Floridian, or Silver Meteor cross-country (people get on in Florence, SC, get off in Palatka, FL). That's like asking if people ride a city bus or intercity rail for the entire route (surely there's that one person who is that bored). Apples & oranges comparison. Amtrak fulfills a particular niche for short-medium distance travel to off-path places. Additionally, some people can't/won't fly or get a rental car for various reasons, like the felon and elderly travelers. Try getting to Jesup, GA by driving or flying (Amtrak drops you downtown). Most of the stops served by Amtrak on the East Coast are rural towns highly inconvenient or not served by air. Kids are half price or free on promotions, Amtrak has low points rates, everyone is allowed 2 checked bags, and if you're only going a few hundred miles, it's mostly a wash compared to driving. Lastly, some just enjoy the scenery, and aren't in a rush.
Amtrak is a useful and viable option as long as you understand its strengths and weaknesses, like any other tool in a well-rounded toolbox.
Why would you fly from Fort Lauderdale if you're in West Palm? Palm Beach International?
I've taken Amtrak frequently in the Northeast corridor - Boston, Philly and DC - for business and pleasure, but now I'm taking it to Rochester NY from Moynihan Station to visit family due to the state of Newark Airport. It's a 7 hour ride. I brought lots of things to read and do as well as lunch and snacks.
I've not met anyone having to do with prisons. I have met a large family...
I've taken Amtrak frequently in the Northeast corridor - Boston, Philly and DC - for business and pleasure, but now I'm taking it to Rochester NY from Moynihan Station to visit family due to the state of Newark Airport. It's a 7 hour ride. I brought lots of things to read and do as well as lunch and snacks.
I've not met anyone having to do with prisons. I have met a large family going to U of Rochester graduation as well as other students and universities. I've also met some Europeans touring the US, a few retirees, train enthusiasts and people who like the journey up the Hudson as well as a few who were Newark Airport refugees.
Both legs of the train were full. No extra seats. My last trip to DC was also full. Not sure why you assume they'd be empty.
The train seats wede comfortable, clean other than some of the bathrooms which could use a good scrubbing, the passengers pleasant if not friendly.
Really you should get out more, or at least ride Amtrak more often in different places.
100%. My observations match yours. My mom took us on Amtrak cross-country move in 1991 from Boston to Los Angeles, and that was one of the most memorable childhood trips, and I fondly remember the snowcapped Rockies. Amtrak is not competitive with flying anywhere besides the East Coast, particularly in Florida...but that's using a wrench to drive nails, and is plainly obvious. It's not meant for that purpose.
Some people's travel options are hindered by...
100%. My observations match yours. My mom took us on Amtrak cross-country move in 1991 from Boston to Los Angeles, and that was one of the most memorable childhood trips, and I fondly remember the snowcapped Rockies. Amtrak is not competitive with flying anywhere besides the East Coast, particularly in Florida...but that's using a wrench to drive nails, and is plainly obvious. It's not meant for that purpose.
Some people's travel options are hindered by stereotypes, to their detriment. Outside of the Northeast Corridor, the rest of the East Coast riders are just normal, decent people who happen to live/study in flyover country.
Look at the high speed and rail networks, and the effeciency vs cost of other countries.
Problem with Amtrak is the price and the time it takes versus other options. Perhaps consider reviews of economy or premium economy from time to time too...
Nice for you to get a glimpse of how the other half lives even if you don’t move into that life. Segregation is a big part of why our country sees each other as the enemy. If we interacted more then we would be more tolerant. Not everyone can live on Brickell or in Coral Gables.
As to Amtrak itself, it does an impressively good job under rotten circumstances. Public transportation should never be...
Nice for you to get a glimpse of how the other half lives even if you don’t move into that life. Segregation is a big part of why our country sees each other as the enemy. If we interacted more then we would be more tolerant. Not everyone can live on Brickell or in Coral Gables.
As to Amtrak itself, it does an impressively good job under rotten circumstances. Public transportation should never be for profit: it must be recognized as a loss leader in the service of the people. That means that part of the expense is picked up by the government. Amtrak does its best but is woefully underfunded. Which means no money for high speed rail in Florida, few route improvements, older equipment, etc. Until Congress properly funds Amtrak it will continue to have huge issues.
Your comments shock me. What you experienced is the same as airports and flights. Just face it: America is a 3rd World country and declining even lower. In your trips to Europe, Japan, or other countries you don’t have the same experience. It is the American culture that has gone down the drain. How many other countries vote for a felon as President?
Rather the felon than a corpse
So I'm not at all familiar with Florida culture, so can't comment on much on the passenger demographic you experienced, however I am a regular traveler on Amtrak in the Northeast corridor and have also taken their long distance trains (specifically the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle). As far as questioning why someone would take the train from Miami to Chicago, you totally miss the point of long distance train travel. It's all about...
So I'm not at all familiar with Florida culture, so can't comment on much on the passenger demographic you experienced, however I am a regular traveler on Amtrak in the Northeast corridor and have also taken their long distance trains (specifically the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle). As far as questioning why someone would take the train from Miami to Chicago, you totally miss the point of long distance train travel. It's all about the experience and the journey and just relaxing in your sleeper cabin for a couple of days and watching the world go by outside your window. And for a route such as the Empire Builder, it's also about the amazing scenery. The people on the long distance trains or for the most part a great group to travel with. They are a combination of train enthusiasts, retirees who have time to kill and people who are averse to plane travel. In addition, the Empire builder provides essential train service to small isolated towns in the northern tier.
The Floridian was recreated to address some form of temporary track closure or maintenance. It's relatively new (maybe a re-tread of some old service decades ago).
Tampa = big city service in order to cover lots of Congressional districts / population centers. No efficiency intended. But, no one wants to cut Amtrak as a result of the spread across districts.
Crowd is interesting. More rural than planes...lots of land between Miami and Tampa.
...The Floridian was recreated to address some form of temporary track closure or maintenance. It's relatively new (maybe a re-tread of some old service decades ago).
Tampa = big city service in order to cover lots of Congressional districts / population centers. No efficiency intended. But, no one wants to cut Amtrak as a result of the spread across districts.
Crowd is interesting. More rural than planes...lots of land between Miami and Tampa.
Brightline = more $$$. Still some nutballs, but not like Amtrak.
Did you enjoy the Carolyn aride
I personally love this review!!! I think it gives a more complete picture of the country, outside of airport lounges, business cabins and hotels.
Regarding your observation that "beyond what I otherwise ordinarily see in public", I think your perception of public is highly subjective, depending on your work, neighborhood, upbringing, etc...
It's not Amtrak's fault that this is the carceral state. Even the president is a felon
I live along this route in Central Florida and have taken this train many times in Coach, Roomette and a Bedroom between Winter Haven and S. Florida. I have always been assigned a seat when boarding in Coach and once when an oversized person had the aisle, the attendant quickly moved me to another seat. I've found the sleeper car attendants to be incredibly nice and accommodating. The food is "ok" for a day trip....
I live along this route in Central Florida and have taken this train many times in Coach, Roomette and a Bedroom between Winter Haven and S. Florida. I have always been assigned a seat when boarding in Coach and once when an oversized person had the aisle, the attendant quickly moved me to another seat. I've found the sleeper car attendants to be incredibly nice and accommodating. The food is "ok" for a day trip. The bottom line is that Amtrak is far better than risking my life on a two lane highway to get to the turnpike.
I think I would have taken Brightline from W. Palm to Orlando (station is in the airport) then grabbed a rental car and toll tag for the 1:20 drive to Tampa. Looking at a random date in July, it runs at hourly or better.
It’s never cute to make fun of people because they have lead different lives than you. I’m surprised at you, Ben.
Ben wasn’t making fun of them. They also don’t merely “lead different lives,” they behave in a way that traps them in the lower class. This must be called out so people can be aware and improve if they so choose. Otherwise people blame capitalism for keeping them down when it’s in fact their own behavior.
Miles in Transit (YouTuber) took it all the way to Chicago. His videos are always fun.
He's great. He's got a lot of good Amtrak, Greyhound, and metro transit system challenge videos.
My 3 most recent Amtrak experiences:
1) Orlando to Tampa and back to take granddaughter to Tampa Aquarium. About 4 hours between Tampa arrival and Tampa departure. Fun daytrip. Trains on time.
2) Flew to IAD to rent car to put it on AutoTrain to Sanford to experience the train in a sleeping compartment. Great meals included. Sleeper is 2X size of roomette. Fun trip but train was 20 hours late getting into...
My 3 most recent Amtrak experiences:
1) Orlando to Tampa and back to take granddaughter to Tampa Aquarium. About 4 hours between Tampa arrival and Tampa departure. Fun daytrip. Trains on time.
2) Flew to IAD to rent car to put it on AutoTrain to Sanford to experience the train in a sleeping compartment. Great meals included. Sleeper is 2X size of roomette. Fun trip but train was 20 hours late getting into Florida because of a derailment ahead of us and then the engineers kept timing out.
3) Orlando to Winter Park and then return via SunRail. Why, just to do it. 15 minute trip. Train on time.
Ben, are you going to post about jetBlue’s recently announced partnership with Brightline? Not sure if I missed it but looking forward to hear your thoughts about more potential train/plane partnerships like they have in Europe.
I took Amtrak across the country in a roomette from Chicago to San Francisco a few years ago. America is huge! The Rockies were worth the trip.
Ben, how's your mom?
Ben, to answer your question about a 46 hour journey vs a 3 hour flight, there are still many people who are still deathly afraid of flying, despite all the innovations in safety. My grandfather is one of those people. He'd rather drive for multiple days across the country or take a train, rather than fly.
The United States is the most expensive 3rd world country I’ve ever been t.
Wait until you get to the UK!
The UK!
Pete, you know very well that the UK will be a lovely place when all the tourists, illegal immigrants, woke liberals and loony leftists Labour voters go home …. :-)
Apart from tourists who stay at The Berkeley, of course :)
We have taken the Amtrak car train a few times, never encountered the characters you ran into. Fun write-up, thanks for sharing! Ignore your detractors.
I lived in Center City Philadelphia for 4 years. My husband worked in DC, Getting around the North East on Acela was a breeze and in nice weather I could walk to SEPTA to 30th St Station. Fast forward to deciding to train from Tampa to Orlando on the Silver Meteor. Northbound train hours late but spotless and pleasant. Had a weekend meeting in downtown Orlando so perfect... Southbound train was 4 hours late and...
I lived in Center City Philadelphia for 4 years. My husband worked in DC, Getting around the North East on Acela was a breeze and in nice weather I could walk to SEPTA to 30th St Station. Fast forward to deciding to train from Tampa to Orlando on the Silver Meteor. Northbound train hours late but spotless and pleasant. Had a weekend meeting in downtown Orlando so perfect... Southbound train was 4 hours late and filthy. Restrooms were out of the question. I happily drive I-4 and I-75 to Orlando and Miami respectively
Hi! I recently traveled SFO-SEA-MIA via Alaska AirJUST to take this 'temporary' Amtrak route, a through-train from Miami to Chicago via DC. My bottom-line was 'forget it'. I was traveling sleeper-class with a roomette. I'm a seasoned, long-distance, multiple-trip, Amtrak traveler, west of the Mississippi River.
The Miami Amtrak station is in the middle of nowhere, a nondescript neighborhood, somewhat questionable, in an industrial neighborhood. Clean, modern, adequately staffed and managed, but .....
...
Hi! I recently traveled SFO-SEA-MIA via Alaska AirJUST to take this 'temporary' Amtrak route, a through-train from Miami to Chicago via DC. My bottom-line was 'forget it'. I was traveling sleeper-class with a roomette. I'm a seasoned, long-distance, multiple-trip, Amtrak traveler, west of the Mississippi River.
The Miami Amtrak station is in the middle of nowhere, a nondescript neighborhood, somewhat questionable, in an industrial neighborhood. Clean, modern, adequately staffed and managed, but .....
The rail cars are single-level. NO observation/cafe car, as on Western US long-distance Amtrak trains.
Menu choices for sleeper car passengers in the Diner were 'standard Amtrak 'menu' with a few twists.
Don't expect to arrive in Chicago on time, or a few hours late, or 'trip cancelled'. I will not do this trip again.
"she said that she’d marry me if I weren’t married, and that my “wife” is very lucky. Oh my."
Hahahahahahaha. Very funny Ben
what has happened to this website???? i think Ben isnt writing half of this, or his attitude has gone off a cliff.
Used to be great reviews at length, then a baby, now we get prison inmate conversations. wtf.
either the clicks are down and we are moving into desperation phase, or this is just Ben morphing into loser dad territory after watching too much Bravo.
1000% this doesnt get past a mod.
What a miserable and rude person you are. You chose to read the post, so quit your whining.
Geez, Big Al, lighten up!
I was waiting for the descriptions of your fellow passengers, and they didn't disappoint. You encountered genuine, real-world Floridians, Ben!
Don't worry, I have the same reaction when I encounter genuine Australians, or when we go back to my husband's home town of Houston and encounter real Texans ;)
Always get the room. You were only 20 minutes late. This for Amtrak is amazing. Last time I traveled from Tampa to DC train was sidetracked around Jacksonville. I went to sleep 8 hours later we still hadn't moved. But I love Amtrak. Peaceful and fun behind doors in the sleeping car !
@lucky
Thank you for confirming to me to never take Amtrak!
Same goes for Tri Rail. No way!
Tri Rail is the worst. Never, ever, never, ever, never think/believe/anticipate/hope/theorize that Tri Rail will get you to an airport on time. It's no less than bewildering how Tri Rail can't get a train down a track in a timely basis.
Sounds a bit like the people one meets in your comments section, tbh...
1000% this
Welcome to reality. Next time review Greyhound service from Miami to New York. America on the ground away from Starbucks and Sky Clubs is very different.
How brave of you to travel a few hours on the working class train…
My daughter and I took three trains and a bus to Carlsbad. The bus was because the seaside tracks were being fixed. I loved the roommate, but would have stayed in the coach if it was just me.
It wasn’t cheap and the bus was most disappointing, but the sleeper service was very fun, with white table cloth service.
Heh, that’s train travel for you. I’ll always choose train over plane, whenever feasible, but as everyone knows, outside of the Northeast, that isn't always (ever) possible.
And to think that this country was built by railroads… so sad.
Glad the hear Brightline is working out though.
Even though I sometimes cringe when you say that you're objective and say you call it like it is after you write something filled with bias, you're obviously a great writer and reporter and I come back daily. But articles like this one are just distasteful. I know you say you start away from content that might be hateful or polarizing just to get interaction, but you can see from the comments that this article does exactly that.
Even though I sometimes cringe when you say that you're objective and say you call it like it is after you write something filled with bias, you're obviously a great writer and reporter and I come back daily. But I agree with the other comments, articles like this one are just distasteful.
Calling this article "distateful" is virtue signaling. In many cases there is a reason why low-class people are low-class. They're depraved and uncouth and they don't even know it. Calling them out, as Ben does implicitly in this article, spreads awareness that these behaviors and mannerisms are unacceptable. If one wants to ascend the scoioeconomic strata, one needs refinement, grace, and etiquette.
I would even argue it's more distasteful to do nothing which results in...
Calling this article "distateful" is virtue signaling. In many cases there is a reason why low-class people are low-class. They're depraved and uncouth and they don't even know it. Calling them out, as Ben does implicitly in this article, spreads awareness that these behaviors and mannerisms are unacceptable. If one wants to ascend the scoioeconomic strata, one needs refinement, grace, and etiquette.
I would even argue it's more distasteful to do nothing which results in the lower class languishing in the lower class.
You're right, What I said was worse. But Ben is calling out the normal class in a polarizing way. And I know he doesn't like to do these just to get views or interaction, but it kind of comes off that way when it's written in a way that he's surprised about what happens in daily life.
Isn’t that what you get when you travel ‘coach’ in the U.S. Ash?
On our U.S. train trips we have always been very pleased with the quality of our fellow passengers, lucky or what?
Sorry I came off poorly. That's what I mean. This is my weekly norm. It's seems to be a polarizing article, and it's a bit insulting to a class. Basically - these are my people who Ben is talking about! Haha.
You're right, What I said was worse. But Ben is calling out the normal class in a polarizing way. And I know he doesn't like to do these just to get views or interaction, but it kind of comes off that way when it's written in a way that he's surprised about what happens in daily life. He's talking about my people like they are aliens. That's what I meant. Ben is usually so good and does this rarely, but this comes off a bit hurtful to me. Just to me.
Unconscious biases can manifest themselves in multiple ways and circumstances.
C'mon, what's distasteful? That the Amtrak crowd makes Spirit seem like La Premiére? Florida is full of colourful characters.
Amtrak is not just convenient in the Northeast. It's also very useful on state-supported routes, particularly in Illinois and Michigan. The Lincoln Service between Chicago and St. Louis & the Wolverine and Blue Water services between Chicago and Michigan routinely run at 110 mph.
I ride the Wolverine between Kalamazoo and Chicago frequently and much prefer it to Interstate 94.
Looking forward to Spirit and Frontier reviews... :)
Me and friends have taken Amtrak across country in all directions and taken just about every long distance route. In a bedroom. The people of Amtrak coach are.... well, they do interline with Greyhound.
Even in the bedrooms, you meet interesting people... at the dining car they force communal dining. Unless you are a party of 4, you will be sharing. Thinking about who takes the train cross country other than for fun... people...
Me and friends have taken Amtrak across country in all directions and taken just about every long distance route. In a bedroom. The people of Amtrak coach are.... well, they do interline with Greyhound.
Even in the bedrooms, you meet interesting people... at the dining car they force communal dining. Unless you are a party of 4, you will be sharing. Thinking about who takes the train cross country other than for fun... people who "I ain't lettin' TSA fondle my nuts" (though TSA could come on that train and pat them down by jurisdiction if it wanted) to a guy who got out of prison and they bought him a train ticket home to someone who thought they were being environmentally responsible since "I saw the electric engine on the front when I got on at Trenton..." then nearly blew up when I told him that while we stopped at DC for 45 minutes that was to slap on 2 big diesel units to haul us all the way to Florida...
Amtrak, while obligated to do random ID checks, I've had to show a photo ID I think maybe twice when riding the NE Corridor on what used to be a weekly commute for years and only once on a long distance train where the conductors made everybody boarding at New Orleans show ID (and police were waiting around the corner once out on the platform, so clearly looking for someone).
Honestly the communal dining was quite fun in my opinion, I got to chat with a former a railroad engineer, a guy who used to help run the circus, two fun families.
Amtrak in a roommette is the way to go, preferably with a nice glass cup and some booze.
Just a question about the roomettes:
If you pay for the roomette in Lucky's picture of the price, do you get BOTH bunk beds? Or, only one, with another passenger paying the same price for the other bunk bed?
When you purchase the roomette, you're renting the room and don't have to share it with anyone. However, if two people are traveling together on the same reservation, the second passenger is only charged the coach fare.
Do you think Amtrak would put 2 strangers in a room with a toilet beside the bed?
Heaven forbid you uppity people have to sit with an unknown person! The horror of being close to someone you don’t know or heaven forbid someone of a lower class than your high and mighty self.
People take trains for many reasons and he failed to mention any of them. One reason is because you actually get to see the country, not just look down (well a lot of do that a lot by...
Heaven forbid you uppity people have to sit with an unknown person! The horror of being close to someone you don’t know or heaven forbid someone of a lower class than your high and mighty self.
People take trains for many reasons and he failed to mention any of them. One reason is because you actually get to see the country, not just look down (well a lot of do that a lot by the comments) at a flat view from 35,000 feet. People ( my mom as one) do not like to fly .
Easier access, there is no TSA headache, you arrive 45 minutes before your train departs , show conductor your ticket and board. They may direct you to a certain car, and might tell you where to sit , depending on the route you are on. Comfort, within minutes of leaving the station after the conductor checks your ticket you can get up and walk around. He showed a picture of the meal he purchased when was the last time you saw anything like that on a short flight? Yes Amtrak can run late due to not owning the tracks and having to work around long slow freight trains and the Floridian is on one of the most congested lines , but I will take it and enjoy the scenery outside of a large window instead of hurting my neck looking down and back out that tiny window on a very cramped very crowded plane that sometimes you are trapped in for the whole flight any day and be much more comfortable and much better fed
Have taken the AutoTrain (Wash DC and Stanford FL) several times. Nice to bring your car with you. Always a pleasant experience, nothing like described in the article. However, make your reservations far in advance during the holidays for Grand Pa & Ma are on their way to visit family & kids and sleeping rooms go quick.
Have also taken Acela between NYC and DC numerous times. Worked perfectly, much more convenient compared to...
Have taken the AutoTrain (Wash DC and Stanford FL) several times. Nice to bring your car with you. Always a pleasant experience, nothing like described in the article. However, make your reservations far in advance during the holidays for Grand Pa & Ma are on their way to visit family & kids and sleeping rooms go quick.
Have also taken Acela between NYC and DC numerous times. Worked perfectly, much more convenient compared to driving the same route. Again, the atmosphere is much different compared to the jail birds.
The issues with Amtrak dates back to the early 50's when America bet on the interstate system over rail service as compared to France, Japan, Germany, or Europe. Each US railroad was ready to dump passenger service over freight, so Amtrak took over the drips and drabs of the corresponding equipment. Also, as noted in the comments below, Amtrak only owns the Northeast Corridor (DC to BOS) and a few other routes. The rest of the time, it's treading on someone else's track and ends up second fiddle to freight.
Got my fingers crossed for the Florida Brightline, the California HSR, and the branch going to Vegas. Hope we finally get the message about rail service and not treat it like a step child to the car.
The sleeper accommodations vs coach is very different vibe wise. You not only get a much different traveler profile, you also get the genuine dining car. While the food is not gourmet by any stretch, it is quite tasty since they have an actual oven onboard. Part of the appeal is interacting with various type of people since you will get paired up with others during meal hours. Some extremely pleasant people, and you can...
The sleeper accommodations vs coach is very different vibe wise. You not only get a much different traveler profile, you also get the genuine dining car. While the food is not gourmet by any stretch, it is quite tasty since they have an actual oven onboard. Part of the appeal is interacting with various type of people since you will get paired up with others during meal hours. Some extremely pleasant people, and you can get a pretty good conversation going. The roomette is certainly private, but it's not Singapore First in quality. You need to set the right expectations on what they are providing.
Think about it. A short hop like that on the plane might be in the absolute comfort of a CRJ200. The ONLY good thing about that plane is that the flights are short, but that's hardly praiseworthy.
In contrast to what another poster said, I've found Amtrak employees to be friendly, but unpolished. They are not attempting to deliver 5 star service, and don't even have the ability to. But I've chatted with many of them on longer trips and had wonderful talks. And they generally want to be working on the railroad, it's not just a job.
Agree 100% across the board.
I love when a sheltered flaming liberal like Ben gets to see what real "diversity" is, I can only imagine the scared looks on his face.
Says a conservative who won't take public transit and never goes downtown because he's afraid of "those people".
“Black people scare me because I am racist and to feel better about myself I want to think that everyone who claims to not be racist is secretly as racist as me”
What a dumb, toxic thing to say.
I don't think dealing with rude people who use crass language has anything to do with "real diversity"
Black people are some of the most nicest and racist people in the US.
Once took a Greyhound across Tennessee, similar reasons.
Crowd was also that vibe, though pretty friendly. Person next to me insisted on trying to share his snack when he opened it.
Stop at the gas station for rest break.
Yes folks who are carrying just a plastic bag of belongings that may or may not have just been released from prison.
Had someone getting off an Alaska flight to SMF recently and overheard him calling his parole officer.
Now this is the perfect material to infuse new life to your youtube channel, @Ben!
I agree that someone traveling from Chicago to Miami is unlikely to take the Floridian solely for transportation. However, there are a fair number of riders of the western routes who take trains cross-country for the simple joy of taking a train. I am one of those.
A few years ago, before a vacation in the Denver area, I flew to San Francisco a few days early just to take the California Zephyr from...
I agree that someone traveling from Chicago to Miami is unlikely to take the Floridian solely for transportation. However, there are a fair number of riders of the western routes who take trains cross-country for the simple joy of taking a train. I am one of those.
A few years ago, before a vacation in the Denver area, I flew to San Francisco a few days early just to take the California Zephyr from Oakland (technically, Emeryville) to Denver. I had a roomette so it was an awesome experience! I liked it so much I am planning to do it again later this year. I have to be in Denver for a football game, so rather than fly directly home, I am booked on the rest of the Zephyr’s route to Chicago, from where I will then fly home. I’m a big rail geek and I try to take the train in Europe whenever it is feasible time-wise over flying.
That being said, no, I do not want to take Amtrak in coach. Aside from comfort overnight, your description sounds kind of like Greyhound on rails! I suspect the Northeast corridor routes have a different coach clientele since, as you note, regional rail transit is more common there.
Ben, I am very very excited for your inevitable cross-county USA train trip. Get the roomette.
FWIW I took train from San Diego to Seattle and met so many lovely people. Only one fresh out of prison :)
Ben, I am very very excited for your inevitable cross-county USA train trip. Get the roomette.
FWIW I took train from San Diego to Seattle and met so many lovely people. Only one fresh out of prison :)
Martha Stewart went to prison…..? What’s the big deal?
I've been on this particular train [also Brightline], and my experience more or less mirrors that. One thing you might try some time if you're feeling adventurous: Take a route that involves Amtrak Thruway Bus Service [for example, connecting from this train to Gainesville]. It's kinda like Greyhound, but without the benefit of the brand name.
The experience is significantly less downscale in the sleepers, I've taken these a couple of times back-and-forth between New York and New Orleans. It can be charming if you have the time.
You come to find out that a lot of people do this who are afraid to fly but want to go south and not drive there.
Wondering how you're getting back home. Another train or will you fly?
Let's hope @Ben takes the train again for episode #2 of his amtrak adventures!
As others have commented already. Florida. But have none of these issues traveling in California, the Capital Corridor and the Surfliner are very nice convenient ways to get around. Again Florida, what an awful place.
Florida man takes a train ride and.........
It should not come as a surprise because the US has the largest jail bird population in the world (followed by China) and CA has the largest prison system in the world. I live in a city where all young able bodied males, who I crossed path with, have been in and out of jail/ prison and live on government assistance. CA's two most powerful unions are teachers and prison guards. There is a negative...
It should not come as a surprise because the US has the largest jail bird population in the world (followed by China) and CA has the largest prison system in the world. I live in a city where all young able bodied males, who I crossed path with, have been in and out of jail/ prison and live on government assistance. CA's two most powerful unions are teachers and prison guards. There is a negative chance (which is below zero) that we can rehab this growing distinct population. I am sure other states experience this same problem at maximum magnitude but do not garner big bad publicity like CA. The Democratic Party leadership is filled with lunacy and incompetence while the Republican Party leadership is stacked up with apparatchiks whose emphasis is chaos, racism/ sexism/ institutional classism, and incompetence. The country's destiny is sliding down into rabbit holes. But the law and law enforcement are content with high inmate population because judges, lawyers and cops maintain and expand their job security.
This is coming across as pretty snobby Ben.
You choose to live in Florida, so you know the people who live there but you're still looking down on them.
Agreed. Ben sounding very out of touch having to deal with "the poors". C'mon Ben, you are better than that, at least I think you are.
Local man "shocked" to find that not everyone is AA EP Pro with 32 credit cards in their wallet, and would, gasp, take something else besides a shiny new 737 or A321 to go between American cities.
1) To be fair, Florida.
2) The Floridian as a train exists to combine the previous Silver Star (NY-Miami) and Capitol Limited (Chicago-DC). The idea is that they need to cut back on the number of trains headed into Penn Station in New York, and this was a creative way to preserve service for everyone while still doing so.
Yes, this train is essentially 2 amtrak services combined to 1
Additionally, much like airplane delivery logistics, Amtrak is dealing with similar issues. Waiting in line for new equipment. And the sidelining of the Horizon fleet just means the Amfleets have to continue to do their job well. Thankfully Budd knew how to build them back then!
Living in FLL I would love to see more intrastate rail connectivity here in Florida. I-95, I-75 and the Turnpike are all congested and miserable to drive. Problem are the NIMBYs across the state who are only for themselves and not community benefit. Brightline is lovely, but crazy-expensive at times.
If you can do amtrak you can do domestic economy and international premium economy. Would be a nice change of pace and you'd have very useful insights.
For example, is AA really giving a second beverage service now, or just apron water the second go-round? How is AA's new buy on board rollout going? How is WN's new experience? How bad is UA's catering out of SFO right now? How bad are FA's to...
If you can do amtrak you can do domestic economy and international premium economy. Would be a nice change of pace and you'd have very useful insights.
For example, is AA really giving a second beverage service now, or just apron water the second go-round? How is AA's new buy on board rollout going? How is WN's new experience? How bad is UA's catering out of SFO right now? How bad are FA's to the masses? (I'll venmo you the $6 for an Illy cold brew on UA). Not to mention you can get in 3-4 flights a day and end up back home with your family.
Premium econ sure, but I'd argue that Amtrak coach is much closer to a domestic first class flight in every respect other than beverage service. It's not comparable in the slightest to domestic econ or "premium econ" (read: extended legroom).
My wife simple prefers rail travel to air travel. To indulge her we have taken some incredible rail journeys, on most continents in the past forty years.
For a comprehensive world wide rail travel website, I can recommend:
https://www.seat61.com/
Seat 61 is awesome! I use it extensively when planning rail journeys in Europe! Great recommendation!
Thank you for your endorsement ’OldMan, we have used the site for about two decades now. I can attest to what you see on the site is what you get, however, I don’t think that it is quite up to date as far as the Brightline service concerned.
Think of the colorful content Ben could give us by being married to Slingback Sally and her foul mouth. He carries the bags, and she shouts obscenities at strangers. And wherever a four-hour Amtrak takes them, you can bet there will be stitches of laughter and stitches that bleed.
Sponsored by Rold Gold!
I hope when you got off the train, you texted Ford to tell him this story and remind him that he is, in fact, one lucky little wife at home.
Train travel could be more efficient in the US and Canada if they find the way to square a circle, namely abolishing priority for freight traffic. Since most of the tracks are single, basically your passenger train is held at the passing track, if there is a freight train coming from the opposite direction. That makes arriving on schedule almost impossible. On the other hand, these freight trains are super long...
Trains remain a...
Train travel could be more efficient in the US and Canada if they find the way to square a circle, namely abolishing priority for freight traffic. Since most of the tracks are single, basically your passenger train is held at the passing track, if there is a freight train coming from the opposite direction. That makes arriving on schedule almost impossible. On the other hand, these freight trains are super long...
Trains remain a necessity for many remote communities. Let's hope Amtrak and Via Rail continue investing in the track maintenance and in the rolling stock
You can't "abolish priority for freight traffic" on rail lines that are owned and operated by the freight railroads. Those rails belong to them, and they'll use them as they see fit.
If Amtrak wants more reliable service, tell them to build their own damn railroad tracks. As long as they're borrowing someone else's, they're beholden to that system's schedule.
@JamesW
In reality, Amtrak legally has priority over freight traffic. That was part of the deal during deregulation to allow the freight lines to stop running their passenger services and pass them to Amtrak. The problems are that the freight lines have failed to adequately maintain their own rolling stock and tracks, and also intentionally run freight trains so long that they can't physically fit on existing sidings, meaning they can't give priority to...
@JamesW
In reality, Amtrak legally has priority over freight traffic. That was part of the deal during deregulation to allow the freight lines to stop running their passenger services and pass them to Amtrak. The problems are that the freight lines have failed to adequately maintain their own rolling stock and tracks, and also intentionally run freight trains so long that they can't physically fit on existing sidings, meaning they can't give priority to Amtrak. Congress or the FRA could put a stop to this, but have sat on their hands.
I agree Amtrak should have it's own dedicated right-of-way for multiple reasons, but unless Congress funds that we're stuck with existing tracks.
By federal law, Class I freight railroad company is required to give priority to Amtrak train, however there is no enforcement of this particular law.
Nice review and nice switch up from the airline reviews. I'd love to see more of these regional Amtrak trip reviews. It's incredibly sad that this is actually a viable rail corridor, but it's only served by a once a day frequency as part of an ultra-longhaul service. That's par for the course for Amtrak outside of the NEC unfortunately, and it could and should be so much better. It doesn't even need to be...
Nice review and nice switch up from the airline reviews. I'd love to see more of these regional Amtrak trip reviews. It's incredibly sad that this is actually a viable rail corridor, but it's only served by a once a day frequency as part of an ultra-longhaul service. That's par for the course for Amtrak outside of the NEC unfortunately, and it could and should be so much better. It doesn't even need to be HSR, as long as it can do 90-100mph and not have to wait on freight rail it'd be an attractive alternative to driving or flying.
So when are you taking
A) a greyhound from Jackson, MS to Savannah, GA?
B) a „Chinatown bus“ from Manhattan, NY to Washington, D.C.?
C) the 261 line from DTW to Detroit, MI?
Real OGs take the bus from the west coast to the east coast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8QGTaGwxxc
Back in the 1990s before the Acela I used to take the MetroLiner between Baltimore and New Jersey for work and the ride was comfortable, the crews great, the crowd not from Prison Break, albeit usually behind schedule. From Palm Beach to Tampa I'd drive, from Miami to Tampa I'd fly. I bought a car out of an auction a few years back in Tampa and drove back to Miami. It was a six hour plus ordeal. That sealed the deal for always flying.
You should review more trains!
Simon Wilson has done Amtrak cross-country to the Caledonian Sleeper with Vietnam and Kazakhstan sleepers thrown in.
I've always wanted to do HSR from the Shinkansen to something in Europe.
Brilliant! I've taken Amtrak a few times in the US. My favourite was from Chicago to San Francisco over three days. Got talking to a group of Amish people in the dining car, who were headed to Mexico for some cheap medical treatment. Lovely people! More recently I went with a friend from Los Angeles to Seattle. Amtrak is really quite fun and on the long trips you have different people at your table for...
Brilliant! I've taken Amtrak a few times in the US. My favourite was from Chicago to San Francisco over three days. Got talking to a group of Amish people in the dining car, who were headed to Mexico for some cheap medical treatment. Lovely people! More recently I went with a friend from Los Angeles to Seattle. Amtrak is really quite fun and on the long trips you have different people at your table for each meal and people are generally quite friendly. It's a shame the US has no proper high speed rail though - it's very much a country that could use it, considering how concentrated the population is in certain areas.
In concentrated areas we do have reasonably good rail. Acela qualifies as high speed between DC, Philly, NYC, and Boston. Regional commuter rail in this corridor is also decent.
I think they mean something like Japan's Shinkansen or France's TGV.
Unfortunately infrastructure is an obstacle as Acela shares trackage with commuter and freight rail along with steep turns on parts of the corridor.
Honestly, you don't even need true Shinkansen or TGV style high speed rail for regional trips like Ben's or many places in the Southeast or Midwest. A regional service capable of 90-120mph is more than enough as long as it can have its own right-of-way and be relatively frequent, think every two hours at most. The real killer outside the NEC is that a multitude of bad business practices by the freight operators make Amtrak an exercise in frustration.
And these are areas that correspond with population density that's most similar to that of Europe. Which is why rail service works in this region. True, we could do better in the Midwest, west coast, Florida and Texas triangle.
But rail will never be a practical mode of transit in most of the country - which is something that snooty Europeans do not seem to understand nor fathom.
@stogieguy7
Car mandate dictates suburban sprawl dictates car mandate dictates suburban sprawl ad infinitum. It was a bad decision fueled by cheap land that's leading to bankrupt suburban "cities" and hellish traffic for residents and workers. Most people in the US live within the metro area of a medium to large city. Many cities, my own included, have been densifying their downtowns and inner suburbs to reduce the need for private vehicles, which has...
@stogieguy7
Car mandate dictates suburban sprawl dictates car mandate dictates suburban sprawl ad infinitum. It was a bad decision fueled by cheap land that's leading to bankrupt suburban "cities" and hellish traffic for residents and workers. Most people in the US live within the metro area of a medium to large city. Many cities, my own included, have been densifying their downtowns and inner suburbs to reduce the need for private vehicles, which has a knock-on effect of making the areas easier to serve with local and regional rail. We don't need to look like Europe or Asia to build it now, and it's going to be cheaper to build that rail now than it would be to build it a decade down the road when station locations and ROWs are even more built-up.
Love taking Amtrak in the Northeast!
As you say, the long-distance trains provide once per day regional connectivity, especially to smaller/mid-size communities that are not well-served by busses or direct flights (or have none at all without driving an hour or more!) and for people that cannot drive, period. Each train basically serves a few different corridors/city-pairs put together based on the long-distance routes Amtrak "inherited" from private/freight operators in the 1970s. Most people definitely...
Love taking Amtrak in the Northeast!
As you say, the long-distance trains provide once per day regional connectivity, especially to smaller/mid-size communities that are not well-served by busses or direct flights (or have none at all without driving an hour or more!) and for people that cannot drive, period. Each train basically serves a few different corridors/city-pairs put together based on the long-distance routes Amtrak "inherited" from private/freight operators in the 1970s. Most people definitely don't take them end-to-end except maybe the scenic Western US routes.
Some people ask, if I’m equity partner making $6MM, why keep coming back to this website?
The reason, and Ben I mean this in the most polite way, is so I don’t lose touch with the world, which is gritty and shitty. That’s the reason I knew I had to make partner and not flame out and go in-house making merely $800k.
Ben, respectfully, the “shocking” observations you report are completely par for the course....
Some people ask, if I’m equity partner making $6MM, why keep coming back to this website?
The reason, and Ben I mean this in the most polite way, is so I don’t lose touch with the world, which is gritty and shitty. That’s the reason I knew I had to make partner and not flame out and go in-house making merely $800k.
Ben, respectfully, the “shocking” observations you report are completely par for the course. I reckon you’ve only exposed yourself as sheltered. Again I don’t mean that in the pejorative sense at all.
Dude, you are annoying AF. Stop with this BS already. Jesus!
Lukas, that’s exactly the reason you’re a total f**kface loser. You whine, complain, you’re stupid. You achieve nothing but show off to the world your ability to have a tantrum.
@Arps
How about you try to show up at least one proof of your equity partner status and, big law partner and having a big penis.
Oops, right, you can't.
Because none of that actually applies to you. Sorry to remind you this way around.
Ben, why do you let one-inch Arps continue to spew his hatred? He is 100x worse than Tim. He’s a loser that adds nothing to the comments section…the worst kind of troll. A pathological liar like the dotard in chief.
Is that a lot of money for you?
Yes, Alex, it's a lot of money for anybody. Get your head out of your ass. Were you born into money?
Let's also look at things this way.
How much money do you have?
100x that. I consider that a lot of money. I consider you poor and deserving of cancer and death! G'day!
You are an impressively pompous blowhole.
What a strange flex.
@Arps - Are you looking for a husband, by chance? If so, look me up!! Woof!!!!
This is the most niche, hyperspecific troll I’ve ever seen and I really wanna know what the inside joke is
Nobody asked, because nobody cares!
No doubt an unemployed 30 year old living in his mom’s basement. People who make 6mm a year are smart enough to keep it to themselves without bloviating to the world. In poker, they call this a “tell”. Watch for this idiot to post a forged income statement in his next post.
Yes, that's basically the Amtrak experience. All the people on there are people that can't fly - not that they won't fly, but they can't (no fly list, etc)
Not true. Some of us just prefer to take trains to complement our air travel when it makes more sense (just like Ben did on this trip).
Wrong.
That’s definitely not the case in the Northeast
I have taken Amtrak all over the Northeast, North Carolina, Southern California, the PNW and into Canada. For the most part, it’s a decent system, considering it’s all we have. That being said, sometimes the crowd can be fairly special. It’s usually fairly crowded, which shows there is a demand for rail, even if it’s not generally on time or convenient.
That being said, it is reminiscent of public transportation in NYC where you have...
I have taken Amtrak all over the Northeast, North Carolina, Southern California, the PNW and into Canada. For the most part, it’s a decent system, considering it’s all we have. That being said, sometimes the crowd can be fairly special. It’s usually fairly crowded, which shows there is a demand for rail, even if it’s not generally on time or convenient.
That being said, it is reminiscent of public transportation in NYC where you have people traveling for business and others threatening violence. It is a great equalizer and cross-section of humanity.
Public transport in NYC is leagues better than other American cities, because for some reason for the most part,* it’s safe and free of overt…problems. That cannot be said of e.g. Bart or MUNI in SF which is plagued with druggies and exposed penes.
*sticking to lower Manhattan; once you get into the outer boroughs all bets are off
Amtrak: Helping Gay Men Find Wives
New article title ;D
You didn’t discuss my favorite part of Amtrak: the employees. In the hundreds of Amtrak trips I’ve taken, I have yet to see a single one smile or say something in a nice way.
You've got to watch Simon Wilson!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sdEfx6nyjg
So you're saying Amtrak recruits from AA's flight attendant ranks? ;)