Amtrak Ridership Poll

[Roadtrp]

The correct answer (when I reveal it) will be based on official Amtrak projections for FY 04.

[:)]

[AntonioFP45]

IMHO, has to be Silver Service. Trains are often packed. Silver Meteor, Silver Star, and Palmetto between New York and Florida.

I know that Senator McCain was "whining" about the Sunset Limited's low ridership, ( I wish he'd retire!!)though those numbers are growing.

The Crescent (I wish Amtrak would just go ahead and re-name it Southern Crescent) is another patronized train. I may be mistaking, but the Amtrak train that you see on the opening credits of the syndicated show "In the Heat of the NIght" is the Crescent coming or going to New Orleans.

[Anonymous]

My guess is its the Auto Train.

[Anonymous]

Probably the Auto train.

[Roadtrp]

I voted for the Empire Builder. That was my pick before seeing the Amtrak figures, which may or may not support that choice.

The Empire Builder is a big train covering a long distance, and the times we took it the train was quite full. The Empire Builder also covers parts of the country (North Dakota, Montana, Idaho) that are not well-served by the airlines.

[AggroJones]

I'll say Auto train. But I have no clue.

[Anonymous]

Silver Service I would guess. Having ridden it a few times, it's quite a crowded train at times. I don't know if its the train, the crowd, or the tedium of the journey, but next time I go to FLA, I'm flying. [V]

[AntonioFP45]

Kbfcsme,

Sorry you had a "not so good" experience. [V]

I've enjoyed riding Amtrak from Florida to New York, and I've always ridden coach. [:)][:p] Been riding trains for years, never tried a sleeper though. I enjoy the scenery cruising through the Carolina's. A few small towns look like they're frozen in time in the 60s and the forests, river, swamps for me are relaxing. [^][8D][:D] When I last rode the Silver Meteor, we were hitting close to 100mph between Washington and New York. [:0][;)] Along the way I saw a GG1 parked on a siding and an old Alco RS-something. I know that flying does get me there quickly, but as a railfan "taking in" the scenery, ride, speed and overal experience is why I'm on the train. [C=:-)][dinner]

I did encounter one rude attendent in the lounge car (young guy about 24), but from what I've heard the onboard personnel now are more courteous----guess David Gunn battened down the hatches.[C):-)][tup]
What specifically turned you off on Silver Service riding?

[Roadtrp]

Well, this poll didn't draw much action. Some time I will remember that just because folks are interested in MR, it doesn't necessarily mean they are passenger train freaks like I am. And yes, I know... this post is really kind of off-topic.

At any rate, the first person to answer was correct. The Silver Service trains had the most passengers by a fairly significant margin. I have my statistics at work, but if memory serves me correctly the Silver Service trains were followed by:

2) Auto Train
3) Empire Builder
4) Southwest Chief

[:)]