The Capitol Star? Silver Limited? MAYBE??!!

Рет қаралды 4,579

Күн бұрын

We might be on the brink of witnessing one of the most significant changes to Amtrak’s national network in over a decade. According to some eagle-eyed rail fans and amateur sleuths, it appears Amtrak is on the verge of combining two of their most successful overnight services into a single, 2,060-mile mega route. The trains being considered for this exciting mashup are the New York to Miami Silver Star and the Washington DC to Chicago Capitol Limited. If true, what would this new train be called? The Capitol Star? The Silver Limited? Join me as I dive into what this potential merger could mean for Amtrak’s network, why it could be a brilliant move, and ponder some of the less auspicious implications of this alleged new power couple.
Despite no official announcement from Amtrak, intriguing clues have surfaced. A quick search on Amtrak’s reservation system shows the Silver Star is “sold out” from November 9th onward, a curious anomaly. Meanwhile, all “Family Bedrooms” are booked on the Capitol Limited from November 10th onward. This suggests a shift from Superliner to single-level cars for the Capitol Limited and a truncation of the Silver Star to run only from Miami to Washington. Put these pieces together, and the most likely conclusion is a combined train. Imagine the Silver Star departing Miami, arriving in Washington DC, and continuing as the Capitol Limited to Chicago. This would create the only eastern train with two overnight segments. In this video, we’ll explore the potential benefits of such a change, including increased capacity, improved connectivity, and enhanced passenger experience, all without significant new resources or funding from Amtrak. Join the discussion and share your thoughts on this potential game-changer for Amtrak’s national network!
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Пікірлер: 71

@danlilly1790 24 күн бұрын

Love the idea and definitely see the benefits. Maybe summa those Superliners could find their way to Amtrak's OTHER bastard red headed stepchild, The Texas Eagle.

@toddinde 24 күн бұрын

People whine about the Eagle all the time. What about the City of New Orleans? That train should be a showcase.

@danlilly1790 23 күн бұрын

@toddinde Certainly for both food AND music, w/CHI, MEM, & NOL all on its route and each city's contributions to both, it oughta be lotta better, too, I agree. TE is my home road and it's dispiriting because of lots of reasons. Although: It DOES have FIVE Presidential Libraries on its route in addition to gliding past Dallas' Dealey Plaza on the triple overpass where JFK was killed.

@oddjob1795 24 күн бұрын

Hope you’re watching this Amtrak.

@Stanf954 24 күн бұрын

Finally, a positive service change with benifits.

@danielboone3770 22 күн бұрын

Love the sound of this!

@E-man5375 24 күн бұрын

The old Floridian is being revived

@osmanjeffrey 24 күн бұрын

Love it! How long since Amtrak has really tried hard to make something work and resolve the several issues you outlined? Brava! Bravo!

@tinytim0623 22 күн бұрын

See Amtrak's release from Friday. This is all happening due to the Gateway Project beginning on 11/11/24 with East River Tunnel rehab work. The Silver Star is the long-distance train affected. The Capitol Star (Train 40/41) will be in effect for three years during the course of the tunnel work.

@GevoJoe 10 күн бұрын

YES! We need Superliners SO BAD. Especially on the Starlight.

@pahogger 24 күн бұрын

If Amtrak is going to do this, then follow the route of the old Floridian or the South Wind. Why take the train to DC when you could take a more direct path to Chicago and give cities like Chattanooga and Nashville train service that they currently don’t have.

@TriceHopkins 24 күн бұрын

The Former route of Amtrak Discontinued Floridian isn't all there, some of that is Property owned for residential living, meaning some Tracks are no longer laid down. Plus it was a slow Restricted speed route, it would need much upgrade to finance that old route and can't run straight from Chicago to Florida anymore. The Carter Administration is to blame!!!

@RailWeekly 24 күн бұрын

Thanks for this info. I was unaware of what became of that route.

@TriceHopkins 2 күн бұрын

@@RailWeekly also the Floridian train ran on poor track conditions from different Railroad trackage rights back then , the ex- PC, L&N ex-Chicago & Eastern Illinois, ex-Monon RR. Those were poor train travel bad then , definitely Not in competition with Air travel or car travel 🧳.

@c.d.porter9366 12 сағат бұрын

How about using the names like Floridian or southern wind farm better than what only be assumed are tongue in cheek names that keep being presented

@toddinde 24 күн бұрын

This is a fantastic idea. I used to ride the Capitol to the Star often. This improves connections, equipment utilization, and provides a through Chicago to Florida train. The downsides are very few. Importantly, it shows creativity by Amtrak’s management. All in all, a fantastic idea.

@sargentrowell81 24 күн бұрын

This would also mean that in future when Amtrak gets their next gen bi-levels, they could then use those on this route, since clearance wouldn't be an issue.

@RailWeekly 24 күн бұрын

That’s cool! I can’t wait to see what those cars end up looking like.

@rwboa22 22 күн бұрын

Another possible confirmation is to check out the reservations for NEC trains (Acela or Regional) that would be be slotted into the Silver Star's slot, as Amtrak would not want a former long-haul slot (even if mimicking the old NYC-DC Metroliner service) to go to waste. Also, a new Chicago-Miami route would not only allow transfers to NYC at DC, but would also allow those that want to go to NYC, via Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia, to get a Pennsylvanian train in Pittsburgh (subsidized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania), of which Amtrak wants to expand that service as well (two trips each direction per day instead of the single trip each direction per day), although hopefully Amtrak, when the new dual-powered SC-42 locomotives and Airo trainsets are acquired, would restore full NYC-Chicago (Broadway Limited) service.

@nathanjiang100 24 күн бұрын

A few notes I have: Amtrak is notorious for experimenting with things on their reservation and then backtracking on them later, November is still super far out and usually they only finalize schedules about 1-2 months in advance. I use the Silver Star somewhat regularly (at least one round-trip a year) so this would be a bummer not having a one-seat ride between Tampa and NYC. Overall I think it would make sense for them to reschedule the Meteor somehow to connect with the Capitol Limited because the Palmetto serves all destinations between NYP and SAV with a one-seat ride and the Star serves the rest (except Jesup, GA) in Florida. With the Star being truncated to Washington, DC, Tampa, FL, Columbia, SC, and Raleigh, NC would lose a one-seat ride to the Northeast Corridor, though Raleigh still has the Carolinian. Having said this, I think it's a pretty good idea though given the Superliner shortage (thanks CN forcing the Illini, Saluki, and City of New Orleans to eat up 5 8-car superliner sets) and I'll definitely try to ride the Capitol Limited while it still has Superliners. Oh, and switching the Capitol Limited to Amfleet II/Viewliners would mean that they could add/remove through cars from the Pennsylvanian at Pittsburgh if they wanted, creating a one-seat ride from Philly and Harrisburg to Chicago that isn't the Cardinal.

@Neillan 24 күн бұрын

Another amazing video ❤

@RailWeekly 24 күн бұрын

Thank you so much 😀

@ncmainlineproductions9290 24 күн бұрын

Great video! The Silver Star stops in my hometown in North Carolina, and having this direct route to Chicago will be a wonderful thing!

@RailWeekly 24 күн бұрын

Totally. No more stressing about the connection in DC!

@RichardinNC1 22 күн бұрын

Same here. And the Piedmont connects to many other NC cities.

@metromaster2010 23 күн бұрын

I would love this, So I, for one, am hoping that these changes happen

@mikeymutual5489 24 күн бұрын

I don't care about the through-route, but I would love to be able to take a Viewliner train between D.C. and Chicago. The current Capitol Limited is a dreary ride on a train without good food, without an observation car, *and without WiFi.* The only thing to do is to sit in the cafe car and chat with other passengers and/or the conductor, and that is only good until 10:00 pm (going westbound), when both the cafe and the cafe car are closed. Then you are forced to go back to your seats and scratch your nuts until you fall asleep. If you are a sleeper car passenger, your rooms will be smaller on the Superliner cars, which hardly makes them worth it for one night. Upgrade the experience, Amtrak!

@bwcbiz 23 күн бұрын

Clearly something is happening, but they could do it like the Lakeshore Limited or Empire builder where the consist splits along the route. Merging the Capitol Limited with the Silver Star in DC would avoid reducing service on the NYC to DC leg. The NYC to DC service would probably get a cafe car but no diner in this case. OTOH, it could be as simple as two unrelated changes: a consist change for the Cap Limited and a schedule/route change for the Star.

@charlesbaran1106 23 күн бұрын

A couple of commenters have wisely suggested having a New York section. Whatever time the train arrives from Florida, the New York section could be attached to the next Northeast Regional.

@hawktb9 22 күн бұрын

Would make more sense to have Amtrak increase the NUMBER of trains per day rather than increase the size of the consist for ONE trip. I'd rather see at least 2 trips each way per train in order to maintain the connectivity factors (or increase them for the connections in Washington, Chicago, Jacksonville, and/or Indianapolis). Let's see how this all pans out because I'm not holding my breath at this moment.

@SleepTrain456 22 күн бұрын

I just found this video via the home page, and I found this quite informative! I didn't know about this potential _Silver_ _Star/Capitol_ _Limited_ combination. We'll see if it happens. Thanks for the video! I'll subscribe!

@RailWeekly 14 күн бұрын

Thank you so much! I’m really hoping it happens!

@SleepTrain456 10 күн бұрын

@@RailWeekly, you're welcome!

@thomasstambaugh5181 24 күн бұрын

I love the concept. I take at least one "Amtrak vacation" a year, and this offers a cool new alternative -- BOS to CHI on the Lakeshore, CHI-Miami on the new train, Miami to NYP on the Silver Meteor, and back to BOS on the NE Regional. Sounds like 4 nights and five days on the rails -- the perfect distance. Meanwhile, I loved the shots of Gaithersburg and Point of Rocks in this video. I grew up there, and I've watched many a train pass through. I think, though I may be mistaken, that there were also some shots of Brunswick. Did you know that there's still a turntable in the Brunswick yards? The scenery from DC to Cumberland is breathtaking. It would be cool if the westbound Capitol could depart a few hours earlier, especially during the winter.

@45Steamer 23 күн бұрын

I like the idea of bringing single level cars on the Capitol Limited, but i don't like the idea of combining the Capitol Limited & Silver Star. Personally I think Amtrak should combine the Capitol Limited & Pennsylvanian or some New York to Pittsburgh train, like between 1981-1986 Amtrak combine the Broadway Limited & Capitol Limited trains.

@paulw.woodring7304 24 күн бұрын

I was an Amtrak On Board Service (OBS) employee in Washington, DC from the mid-1980s to 1999. I worked the Cap on and off over that time period, both single-level and Superliner as a Lead Service Attendant (LSA), but mostly I worked the corridor in cafe service. First, I don't think this move saves an engine change in DC. There is no good way to fuel engines on the train at Washington, so if they need to go to the house for fuel, they will probably just swap out power. Also, for a couple of years in the late 1980s there was a through coach on the Cap to the Star and vice-versa. I'm not sure how long it lasted, but it did happen. Mostly I think this means that the Washington Crew Base loses it's last long-distance train for OBS attendants, as I would imagine that the OBS crews will either come from Chicago or Florida. That could also mess with the crews for the Star, if the train is crewed out of NY, they've done it both ways over the years, but I've been gone for 25 years now so I don't know what they are doing these days. I do know that NS and CSX are going to have to quit screwing around with getting those trains over the road if the change is going to work.

@RailWeekly 24 күн бұрын

Thank you for watching! So, you’re completely right about the inability to fuel in DC. Since posting this video, it has come to my attention that they are exploring the option or refueling and completely servicing the train in Richmond to avoid swapping locos. You’re also correct about the OBS crews. And I knew about the through coach too. Amtrak also used to run a few through cars to Chicago from NY that got tacked onto the Capitol at Pittsburgh if I’m remembering correctly.

@paulw.woodring7304 23 күн бұрын

@@RailWeekly A wrinkle in this story. An Amtrak official high up in planning told me directly today that they had not heard about this change, and that it couldn't happen without Congress approving it. So take it for what it's worth. I do not believe they were deliberately lying to me, I think they were being truthful to the best of their knowledge. It leaves the possibilities that the rumor is wrong, or it is only being discussed in another department, (Government Affairs is where the person who first told me about it got the story). It may not be firm, or it's only a proposal and they just decided to withhold reservations for the present service into November in case it does come to pass. I don't know about cars from NY being added to the Cap at PGH, but I didn't keep track of it for several years in the late '80s/early 's90s. That would not have happened after the train was converted to Superliners in '93.

@7233bill 24 күн бұрын

I would rather see the Floridian brought back, going through major southern cities which don't have service now. But as that is unlikely I believe your suggestion would be an excellent way to connect Florida and the mid-west with less capital cost and bureaucratic hassle. One note....I could just see Amtrak instituting a stupid, anti-passenger policy which you mentioned, i.e. making the through passengers get off the train in Washington and then reboarding the same equipment to continue their journey . The would probably be done for the convenience of Amtrak.

@pacificostudios 23 күн бұрын

Now that we have Borealis, where are all these Superliners going? I'd like them on a overnight SF-LA train, probably the only eligible corridor service that makes sense. However, a private company is already planning to operate a "hotel" train on that route. Is Amtrak about to lease them out for refurbishment to this operator?

@tallflguy 23 күн бұрын

Makes to much sense. Which means it won’t happen. 😊

@PiplupJames 24 күн бұрын

It’ll be very interesting, if implemented

@nolantherailfan5048 21 күн бұрын

Amtrak also recently reintroduced the dining car on the crescent. Ik that's not a lot but still it's something

@icylycan 23 күн бұрын

AMTRAK! MAKE THIS TRAIN A REALITY AND MY LIFE IS YOURS

@coleallen3895 24 күн бұрын

Love it!

@peakster753 22 күн бұрын

I live along the one of the Silver Star's route and the thing I wonder is would it change the time it passes through CLB as I would like to use it CLB-RVR without having to leave in the middle of the night from CLB like I'd currently have to do...

@matttjaden 24 күн бұрын

I do not think it will be a one seat ride between CHI and MIA. I do however see the Star and the Capital using the same consists for both trains to simplify operations. I know Amtrak is low on availability Superliner equipment in the national fleet. Converting the Capital Limited to single level equipment would free up 4-5 sets of superliners. Great video by the way, keep up the great work!

@andrewschmid5917 24 күн бұрын

Well what they really should implement is this plus what they use to do on the Pennsylvanian…run a view liner on the Pennsylvanian to Pittsburgh, it then hooks onto the capital limited to go to Chicago. But with the Capital limited there’s an extra sleeper/set of couches that will detach and run through to Miami when the train hits dc coming eastbound

@RailWeekly 24 күн бұрын

That would be awesome! Or they could really go all out and bring back the Broadway Limited too! One can dream.

@fishfighter2 23 күн бұрын

The silver Star takes way too many people from the south to New York and vice versa. They would never cancel that train. Now they might do something where the train is split in half like the Lakeshore limited that splits in Albany I believe we're 1/2 goes to Boston and the other half goes to Manhattan.

@johnsons74thsquadron74 24 күн бұрын

The thing I love about this idea is more Superliners for the western routes! I’m sure hoping they will make their way to the “Red Headed Stepchild” Texas Eagle!! This shadow of its former self train runs with ONLY 4 cars since Amtrak downgraded it in 2020!! No diner, No sightseer lounge, no transition car, no baggage car!!!

@Robloxity_News 23 күн бұрын

Chicago to Miami!

@904jay 24 күн бұрын

It's happening!

@Charger_84 24 күн бұрын

Ive been saying that the cap should have had amfleets and viewliners bc of the shortage of Superliners. Just a couple months ago the train was 3 cars long+baggage car

@adambuesser6264 24 күн бұрын

What is the possability of connecting Chicago to Miami via Indianapolis, Nashville, and Atlanta?

@RailWeekly 24 күн бұрын

They would have to bring back The Floridian. I have not heard any talk of this personally. But who knows?

@traintrak 18 күн бұрын

There's an FRA study that considers these cities but that seems decades away.

@vivyan92 24 күн бұрын

I like that idea of the extension route. If Amtrak can rename something from Chicago to Miami, personally I would think the Silver Flordian would be my idea of that route name. Also have you heard anything about the new Amtrak route that they're talking about the one from New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama?

@RailWeekly 24 күн бұрын

I would think they might want to save the Floridian name just in case they ever bring back that route (although it’s unlikely). But I could totally see them calling the train something like that because it will be a Chicago to Florida service. And I don’t really know too much about the Gulf Coast train. But last I heard it seemed like it was going to happen.

@vivyan92 24 күн бұрын

@@RailWeekly and that goes the same for the extension of the route to Orlando on the Sunset Limited (since after Hurricane Katrina from 2005) to which New Orleans is as far as it goes from Los Angeles.

@thetrainguy1 24 күн бұрын

I feel like first we need to send some viewliners to be refurbished.

@RailWeekly 23 күн бұрын

That’s supposed to be in the works. I have no idea if there has been any progress on this though.

@mmi16 24 күн бұрын

While the equipment may run between Chicago & Miami. The terminal for both trains will still be Washington DC. The Star will be DC to Miami. The Capitol will be between to DC & Chicago. I am sure passengers would love a six hour stop in DC.

@cryorig_transit05 24 күн бұрын

I would like to see it electrified

@CrazyWhiteBoomer 7 күн бұрын

Just restore dining car service on all the overnight trains east of the Mississippi for crying out loud and will someone please teach the attendants in the "snack-cars" how to prepare a mixed beverage...