Amtrak Launching the Floridian, with Daily Service Between Chicago and Miami

[thelakelander]

WASHINGTON – Amtrak customers can now purchase tickets on the Floridian, a new temporary route offering a direct round-trip between Chicago and Miami with intermediate stops in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa that will take customers to these cities in comfort and style. This train combines the routes of the Capitol Limited and Silver Star for a limited time and makes its inaugural trip on Sunday, Nov. 10.

"The Floridian offers customers an exceptional and sustainable journey to great destinations between Chicago and Miami, providing the amenities and delicious food our guests enjoy when traveling with us," Amtrak Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Eliot Hamlisch said.

https://media.amtrak.com/2024/09/amtrak-launching-the-floridian-with-daily-service-between-chicago-and-miami/

[jaxlongtimer]

This is apparently combining two existing routes, the Capitol Limited and Silver Star, saving having to switch trains in DC, and due to the NYC East River Tunnel (ERT) Rehabilitation Project, which will "restore the two tubes that were damaged by Superstorm Sandy," according to Amtrak.

Here is a bit more info at:  https://www.foxnews.com/travel/amtrak-announces-floridian-train-2-day-route-sparking-reactions-social-media

[Lunican]

Brutally long route.

[Lostwave]

And from what I could see on the amtrak site, going between here and DC is all red eyes.  I would totally take the amtrak up to DC, but I want to do it during the day so I can enjoy the scenery.

[Ocklawaha]

For over 100 years all Florida trains have been heavy northbound in the evening and southbound in the morning. This fact has much to do with the stage length of each train. In the 60's most railroads offered an evening train that ran against that grain. With Amtraks pathetic offerings we are lucky to have anything at all.

This new 'temporary route' is more about Amtraks horrible management, lack of maintenance and dwindling fleet than it is about restoring the Floridian. There are famous trains that have 'grown' from 18, to 12, to 5, cars. Why? They sent everyone home during Covid. Lost thousands of workers, including many specialists. Today the repair lines are measured in miles... CRICKETS!

With backs to the wall and the President proclaiming the 'rebirth of the passenger train,' they are in desperate condition.

[marcuscnelson]

I have some friends planning to take the first run of the new Floridian from end to end, obviously this train is a product of compromises, but seems to be doing its best to make things work in light of them. Having a one seat ride from Florida to the Midwest has been long awaited, even if it could be better with more funding. Traditional dining on the full route is a welcome benefit.

This new 'temporary route' is more about Amtraks horrible management, lack of maintenance and dwindling fleet than it is about restoring the Floridian. There are famous trains that have 'grown' from 18, to 12, to 5, cars. Why? They sent everyone home during Covid. Lost thousands of workers, including many specialists. Today the repair lines are measured in miles... CRICKETS!

I'm sure if they could have more cars in service sooner with more employees, they would do just that. The budgets are what the shareholders, Congress, allows them to be.

[Ken_FSU]

Dumb question, but who's the target market for a 48-hour train ride from Miami to Chicago? It doesn't look like it's substantially cheaper than flying. I'd use the crap out of short range routes between Jax and Savannah, Tampa, Orlando, Tallahassee, St. Augustine, etc. if the arrival and departure times were comparable to flying, but wondering what the main draw of long-haul is? Is it a sight-seeing thing primarily? Could you spend a day or two in connecting cities and reboard en route to Chicago, or is it truly just a fixed straight shot?

[marcuscnelson]

There are a number of reasons that come to mind to ride Amtrak Long Distance:

• Using it as a land cruise with no rush (sightseeing)
• Your origin or destination being further from an airport than the train station
• Traveling between intermediate points instead of from end to end
• Can be cheaper than a flight at a different time and a night in a hotel room, though this depends
• More convenient to not be bothered by the hassle of airports
• Luggage that can go into a baggage car
• If you were not going to fly in the first place, it would be nice to not have to drive

[jaxlongtimer]

There are a number of reasons that come to mind to ride Amtrak Long Distance:

• Using it as a land cruise with no rush (sightseeing)
• Your origin or destination being further from an airport than the train station
• Traveling between intermediate points instead of from end to end
• Can be cheaper than a flight at a different time and a night in a hotel room, though this depends
• More convenient to not be bothered by the hassle of airports
• Luggage that can go into a baggage car
• If you were not going to fly in the first place, it would be nice to not have to drive

Just to add, some people have a fear of flying so they will take the train when travelling longer distances.  Sightseeing America might be another reason.  Not sure what goes nowadays, but I thought at one time Amtrak sold a ticket that let you get on and off a train during a journey or had unlimited travel for some time for a fixed price.

[Lostwave]

There are a number of reasons that come to mind to ride Amtrak Long Distance:

• Using it as a land cruise with no rush (sightseeing)
• Your origin or destination being further from an airport than the train station
• Traveling between intermediate points instead of from end to end
• Can be cheaper than a flight at a different time and a night in a hotel room, though this depends
• More convenient to not be bothered by the hassle of airports
• Luggage that can go into a baggage car
• If you were not going to fly in the first place, it would be nice to not have to drive

I've done Amtrak and Via (in Canada) a bunch.  The reasons have been a mixture of the above... number 1 being a Land Cruise.  Viewing the scenery... which many places you cannot see by car.  I have done it specifically to ride the train...  not to replace flying.  Its usually not much cheaper and takes 10x longer.  Basically I have used the long distance trains as a road trip replacement so I can just relax and enjoy the ride.