Greetings all,
I will be in the States for a business trip next month in North Carolina (I have been living in Germany for about 9 years now), and I am considering riding the Silver Meteor back to New York City to visit my parents. Does anybody have any positive or negative expiriences on this route, and what kind of equipment is used on this train. The last time I have travelled with amtrack was 10 years ago from NYC to Albany NY and I was pleased with the service.
Thanks in Advance
John
XRAY Greetings all, I will be in the States for a business trip next month in North Carolina (I have been living in Germany for about 9 years now), and I am considering riding the Silver Meteor back to New York City to visit my parents. Does anybody have any positive or negative expiriences on this route, and what kind of equipment is used on this train. The last time I have travelled with amtrack was 10 years ago from NYC to Albany NY and I was pleased with the service. Thanks in Advance John
When we were in Folkston (GA) in late 2007, I was sad to see that the coaches on the Silver Meteor looked like regular Amfleet of the kind used on the Northeast Corridor (NEC). The train doesn't stop there, we just saw it pass through, but I know that kind of coach and IMO would find it uncomfortable for an overnight trip. I've been hoping Amtrak will replace those day coaches and replace them with something more l-d or overnight: with more space between seats and seats that truly recline, that sort of thing.
The "Silver Service" trains pass through North Carolina in the middle of the night, so that's something to consider too.
XRAY: Depends on where in NC you have business. If it is Charlotte, Winston Salem, Greensboro, Durham, Raleigh areas or west of there then the Carolinian (train #80 ) is your best bet. If business is in the Wilmington or Fayetteville area then the Meteor ( train # 98 ) is probably the best bet. Carolinian has fairly nice equipment and is daylight now until Baltimore and can be daylight all the way to New York by late May ( if on time ). Also Carolinian has Business class available. and Dinette for all passengers. Meteor is not daylight until Alexandria, Va but has sleeping cars ( hard to get accomodations ) and full dinning car. Part of decision is where in NY your parents live for connection possibilities. Arrival times Carolinian 2100 and Meteor 1130 Palmetto 2350. Coach fare from Charlotte approx $118.00 and Business class approximately $157.00 US dollars for a may reservation. Exact day may be different. Got a date? .
My guess is the equipment will be the same, only nine years older with Ace Hardware retrofits for parts no longer available.
blue streak 1XRAY: Depends on where in NC you have business. If it is Charlotte, Winston Salem, Greensboro, Durham, Raleigh areas or west of there then the Carolinian (train #80 ) is your best bet. If business is in the Wilmington or Fayetteville area then the Meteor ( train # 98 ) is probably the best bet. Carolinian has fairly nice equipment and is daylight now until Baltimore and can be daylight all the way to New York by late May ( if on time ). Also Carolinian has Business class available. and Dinette for all passengers. Meteor is not daylight until Alexandria, Va but has sleeping cars ( hard to get accomodations ) and full dinning car. Part of decision is where in NY your parents live for connection possibilities. Arrival times Carolinian 2100 and Meteor 1130 Palmetto 2350. Coach fare from Charlotte approx $118.00 and Business class approximately $157.00 US dollars for a may reservation. Exact day may be different. Got a date? .
I will be in the departing the fayetteville area in early April, and I have already looked at the Amtrak website for schedules and prices, and I am aware of the connection possibilities in NYC, Metro North serves my home town. Thank you for the information.
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