Recent content by Palmland

Yes, that is what the 1971 timetables show. By 1973 it originated in LAX. There was a daily Coast Daylight on the same schedule LAX to Oakland on the days the Starlight didn't operate. By 1976 it was 6 each way. By the way, the 1973 a roomette Chicago-LA would set you back $149. Using an...

Fascinating history lesson, thanks for posting. Jim McClellan was a bit like Forest Gump- he was everywhere at that exciting time, as this article describes. I remember watching the evening news and seeing Secretary Volpe describe the routes. At that time there was a lot of enthusiasm for...

And that's a real oversight. Hard to find a faster growing area then the Triangle in NC and the coastal cities in SC and GA. Our son is in the process of moving to Beaufort, SC (and reduce the need for us to use AutoTrain) and I was amazed at the amount of developments between Charleston and...

Because Amtrak moves at glacial speed, I suspect we'll see Jax- West Palm service via Brightline long before Amtrak gets around to it. But it's fun to talk about the 'what if's'. For us, the drive to Daytona is maybe 15 minutes longer than the drive to the Deland station. And the extension of...

Those were the days when railroads competed for passenger business. Amtrak seems to be motivated by cost control and hands off management of day to day operations.

And it really was superior service. I especially liked the special PPC menu and service and being able to sit at a table of your choosing for just the two of us and sitting across from each other.

I don't think Amtrak would compete with Brightline if they were 'stops only to discharge passengers' West Palm and south. Where they would compete is for track time and would probably get a priority behind Brightline, Tri-iRail, and FEC. I know CSX/Amtrak ran an inspection train down the FEC...

Ironically, Continental was one of the last airlines to offer meals to coach passengers. I don’t remember the reason I was on a Continental flight but thinking the hamburger was pretty good. According to this article it apparently ended in 2010. Continental coach food

More train time for the same price! With a current Deland ETA for 2:02, you may meet 98 (Deland 2:40) and get to use the new double track south of there.

Interesting, I didn't realize the Florida Special lasted that long. That prompted me to pull out the timetable from that winter and not only did it have the features you mention but the scheduled time had been reduced to a flat 24 hours - 11:15 am departure and arrival. Aside from the dome...

Interesting they had that so long ago. Here is the ad in the ACL timetables for the winter 63/64. 64/65. Note the hostess talking with happy passengers in the recreation car. Can you imagine what the fashion show was like. I suspect the TV's were a short lived feature as that could be really...

Somewhere I have a photo of the dome/sleeper being added in Richmond on a snowy day during my college years in Ashland. The screenshot is from the January 1966 Official Guide, courtesy of Timetable World. Also in this consist are the 7 Dbr-2 Dr cars. These had been modified by Pullman in 1961/62...

B&O feature cars, domes and observations, always started in Washington. They were used on the National and Capitol Ltd, Columbian, and Shenandoah. Even in ‘59, after NY service ended, they were added in Washington although the train began in Baltimore at Camden station. One of the highlights of...

Part of the email from O’s: You (xxx.com) received this commercial email messages from orioles.com Partners or purchased a ticket from orioles.com. Amtrak NEC sale for MLB

Amtrak has 30% fare discount for NEC travel if you’re a baseball fan. Not sure how they verify if you’re actually going to a game. Learned about this from an email sent by the Orioles (going to a game in June). It’s lists all the MLB teams on the NEC. Can be extra for business class.