Calling it 'business' is a misnomer, but the $20 does buy a less populated and quieter car (few/no kids).
I mostly miss the diner, though. White Castle twice over a weekend gets old.
The last trip I drove over to Deland, an hour east, and took the Silver Star down. If you want a sleeper and diner, and if you can convince people to drive the hour to get you, it is worth it.
In the past two years I've taken the Palmetto several times to Washington DC or to New York. The business class is alright,but no more than that. I would suggest reserving coach, and if you find that too busy or too noisy, to upgrade to business class. Also, it's not encouraging to sprend extra money for a southbound train that is now scheduled to arrive around 4:15 am. (But at least we still have service.) It would be wonderful if Amtrak went back to splitting the Star or the Meteor in Jacksonville.
Also, as you may know, be sure to have someone meet you because the train office is now often closed on weekends and you can't count on a taxi being at the station waiting for you.
I've also driven to DeLand for the Star or the Meteor, both for the daylight schedule and for having a dining car available.
Quite simply, there should be a train through that area offering full amenities and at a civilized hour.
The Ocala MSA is one of the fastest growing in the State with a rate of growth far exceeding that of the SE Tri-Counties (Dade, Broward, Palm) where most Amtrak service is directed.
Further, Gainesville/Waldo is a college town; I realize it becomes less true with every passing year, but not every college kid has access to an automobile.
Lastly, the SAL rus along the perimiter of the massive retirement community at The Villages (on A-Day the residents there were beef cattle). This seems like a traffic opportunity to good to pass up (nearest existing station: Wildwood). Every time I have reason to go there, it seems to have grown another "quantum leap".
Naturally, Orlando, or at least since the rodent decided to be indigenous to Fla as well as Calif, remains the "top draw" for Amtrak and any airline serving the region. No way would I suggest diverting any existing service away from Orlando, but somehow I would think with three trains Daily in the market, one of them could provide service over the Seaboard at civilized hours.
For what it be worth, to me this change should be of much greater priority than the oft-discussed but never enacted service along the East Coast via the FEC.
[This message has been edited by Gilbert B Norman (edited 01-13-2004).]