From : Bill Jereb
Date : Sun, 19 Nov 2000 15:03:52 -0500
Subject : {A-A} Train 97/98 Trip Notes

I just returned from my annual golf trip from NJ to Myrtle Beach, SC. Here are some of my trip notes:

I picked up Train 97 in Newark, NJ on time last Wednesday Nov 15th. I had booked a standard bedroom and was in the 9710 car. We didn't receive a call for dinner until we were almost to Trenton, NJ but I believe this was the best meal I ever had on Amtrak. Prime Rib and sweet potato casserole. It was delicious!!!! The crew was attentive and very friendly. We arrived in Florence, SC (my destination) about 15 min late.

On the day of my return I had checked the web site that said train 98 was running just over an hour late. Well that hour turned to 2 and then to 3! We did not leave Florence until after 1am which put us about 3 hours down. According to what they told me in the station there were CSX signal problems south of Jacksonville. Then they lost more time between Jacksonville & Charleston. We did however make up about an hour, arriving in Newark around 11:00am.

This delay afforded me the chance to see train 53, the southbound Auto Train which stops in Florence for refueling and a crew change. It arrived at 11pm which someone said was about 15 minutes early. That puzzled me as everytime I have ridden it we always stopped in Florence around midnight when going southbound.

I did find the Viewliners on this trip to be cleaner and in better working condition than my last trip on the Lake Shore in June. Everything worked in my room and there was nothing rattling or broken. Both dinner and breakfast were excellent and the on board crew was as good as you can get. My sleeping car attendant on 98 was named Jimmy and I would rate him up there as one of the best. All in all a good trip.

Bill