Soon there will be a train from Chicago to Miami

While countries like Japan and Switzerland are often associated with excellent intercity train travel, the United States remains primarily a country of car and plane travel.

The sheer size of the continent means that train routes that span more than a few nearby East Coast states are more of an enthusiast experience than an efficient means of transportation. While one can easily find a low-cost plane ticket from New York to Los Angeles for $200, an Amtrak train between the two cities would take 65 hours and cost at least $450 for a single seat and several thousand dollars for a room with a bed. .

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There have, however, been some recent efforts to change this situation. Launched in 2018, privately owned Florida East Coast Railway’s Brightline train route began running between Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach and over the next five years was slowly expanded to Miami and Orlando.

Here’s what you need to know about Amtrak’s new line to Miami

The line has proven revolutionary for a state not known for particularly strong public transportation, and in what is likely an effort to capitalize on growing interest in train travel, the nation’s main rail provider, Amtrak, has announced a new route that will run from Chicago. to miami

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Combining the existing Capitol Limited and Silver Star lines, the new Florida line will make its maiden voyage on November 10. Stops between the two cities include Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, DC, Orlando and Tampa, while the entire journey will take 47 hours. .

The line is temporary, put in place to ensure service between certain cities can continue while Amtrak undertakes ongoing resurfacing of certain rail networks and tunnels on East Coast rail lines.

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“Temporarily combine trains to create the Floridian”

“Amtrak is temporarily combining the Capitol Limited and Silver Star trains to create the Floridaian due to the upcoming East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project in New York,” according to an Amtrak statement about the Floridian. “During this project, one tunnel tube will be closed at a time, minimizing service impacts, maximizing construction access and upgrading infrastructure the tunnel. to serve customers for another 100 years”.

Similar to other lines, Floridaian will feature Coach Class with regular seats and Business Class, including smaller rooms with pull-out beds and full sleepers — the latter two are chosen by those going on a longer cross-country train adventure. Those traveling in Business Class also benefit from meal service in the train’s dining car for breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the journey, while those in Coach can either bring food or buy it in the cafe the train.

“Our members have long dreamed of restoring single-seat travel from the Midwest to Florida, and we’re excited that a new generation of American passengers will be able to experience this service for themselves,” Jim Matthews, who heads the Rail Passenger Association , said in a press statement. “This move will free up much-needed equipment while taking pressure off the Northeast Corridor infrastructure during the renovation of the ERT Project.”

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