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Word has it that CSX will do a major maintenance blitz on part of the line to Florida beginning in late April. There are rumors that trains 97 & 98 will either run on an altered schedule or be combined with 91 & 92 to forma mega-train during those 9 weeks. Has anyone heard anything?
CG96 Member # 1408
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CSX will be doing a considerable amount of much-needed track maintenance on the line from Savannah, GA to JAX. The lion's share of the work is to be on the Nahunta Sub, and the timeframe involved will extend until the end of June. The consist will most likly be something along the following lines: 2 engines, 2 Heritage Baggage, 2 Heritage Dorms. 4 Viewliner Sleepers, 2 Heritage Diners, 1/2 Amfleet II Lounge(s), 6-8 Amfleet II Coaches. IOW, the pairs of trains will be combined.
jp1822 Member # 2596
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There's no way the trains could be re-routed? Will this mega consist depart from NY or combine/split at Savannah (which would be the best alternative for passengers)?
SilverStar092 Member # 2652
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If the trains are combined, I expect it to be a through operation. The Amtrak bean counters see this as a chance to save crew costs as they can reduce the number of engineers in half and can save at least 1 conductor job on each segment. I would think theis may affect some ticket agent jobs on the short term as recently they have closed stations when there is no train service. The Palmetto presumably still would run but its station agent jobs, in many cases, are covered by relief agents.
jp1822 Member # 2596
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Amtrak would temporarily lay these people off and then re-hire them once this temporary arrangement is rectified? Have a hard time coming to terms with this one. Will any of the Florida bound trains traverse the route that the Silver Star now covers during this period?
SilverStar092 Member # 2652
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Word has it that #97 & 98 will be annulled from late April thru late June. Extra equipment is supposed to be added to #91 & 92.
dcfan Member # 2311
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Just tested a few June 2004 dates for 97/98 RT south from Washington. All dates show "Sold Out". Hmmmmmmm.
notelvis Member # 3071
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The NARP website hotline today reports that the Silver Meteor will be annulled altogether from late April through late June and that the Silver Star (91/92) will operate on a modified schedule.
Spot checking Amtrak's website this modified schedule, at least through the Carolinas, has the Star running about 90 minutes earlier northbound, three hours earlier southbound. Palmetto is mostly unaffected.
Apparently any extra capacity on the Star has not been added to the computer yet. Most trains on the website currently show as 'sold out'.
What a pity that no one has thought to shift the Meteor's diner and at least one sleeper onto the Palmetto while the Meteor is annulled.
------------------ David Pressley
jp1822 Member # 2596
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Would be nice if they added a Viewliner to the Palmetto during this time. But doubt Amtrak will be that smart.
SilverStar092 Member # 2652
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The word is that some of the Silver Meteor's equipment will be shifted to the Silver Star during the trackwork period. This better than nothing but it would be more sensible to add it to the Palmetto. But then, it might prove that people will ride the Palmetto (ex-Silver Palm) which Amtrak apparently does not want.
SilverStar092 Member # 2652
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A friend of mine was booked and ticketed on #97 from New York to Florida in May. Th early departure of #91 cannot be made via any connection from where he will be coming on the previous leg of his trip. Amtrak tells him it's not their responsibility and refuses to put him up overnight in a hotel in New York or somewhere. This isn't the way to make customers come back...messing up vacations a month before they begin.
notelvis Member # 3071
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quote:Originally posted by SilverStar092: The word is that some of the Silver Meteor's equipment will be shifted to the Silver Star during the trackwork period. This better than nothing but it would be more sensible to add it to the Palmetto. But then, it might prove that people will ride the Palmetto (ex-Silver Palm) which Amtrak apparently does not want.
And scads of people ride the Palmetto. Spend several days watching it arrive and depart the station in Fayetteville, NC. This train is being ridden!!!!
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