32+ Hours in a NEW Amtrak Viewliner II Bedroom

About ensuring that you get a new (VLII) sleeper: First off, nothing is guaranteed. Amtrak occasionally substitutes a VLI for a VLII, or vice versa. Second, the other FL train, the Silver Meteor, is currently suspended, and its cars have been added to the Silver Star. As Jeb said, the even-numbered cars are the VLII's. But Amtrak is planning to resume service on the Silver Meteor on 10/3//22, at which time the Silver Star will probably go back to its normal consist of just 2 sleepers. Prior to the Meteor's suspension, the Star's sleeper ending in 10 was the VLl, and the new VLII was the car ending in 11, which is opposite of what they are currently. We won't know until 10/3 which car or cars will be VLII's after that date.

I love bringing my radio scanner and headphones when riding Amtrak long distance. Gives you a little more insight into what's going on when the train is just sitting there due to a delay. You also hear about track work and traffic ahead from the dispatchers. Bonus, you get to hear your conductors and engineers make fun of each other when one Amtrak passes another. 😂

I have done the car train between DC and Florida twice and both times it was excellent. It was so much better than driving… It was definitely worth it. It was also faster because during the eight hours that I slept, we covered a ton of ground. During the time I was awake, I got a bunch of work done, I saw some nice sites and scenery out the window and ate delicious food including a very tasty steak. I would love to see Amtrak do more car trains to other parts of the country, and I would like to see Amtrak train service expanded in general, especially more high-speed trains. When I lived in Boston, I took the high speed Acela to New York and back several times and it was great. I was able to easily park my car and walk about four minutes through a parking lot then board the train. I loved not having to arrive to an airport 90 minutes before takeoff … And that saved me a lot of time. I also loved arriving in Manhattan and not having to take a taxi or Uber from an airport. I find it between hard and impossible to get work done on an airplane with the super cramped seats, Not much space for a laptop and a person 1 inch from me etc. I got far more work done on an Amtrak train, plus the scenery is nice, plus the spaciousness and legroom is great, plus I love having the freedom to get up and walk around. Everything about it is better.

First time I took Amtrak was the Auto Train, and I was hooked!! I was in the military, transferring out of South Florida to Staten Island. My parents lived near Sanford, so this was great for me! I was traveling in the dead of winter, so took a lot of interstate driving stress off me (and my car!). I got a sleeper, and it was WONDERFUL!! I had already eaten before boarding, so all I needed that evening was a little snack. I arrived in Lorton the next morning fully rested, and ready to take on the day, jumping onto I-95 enroute to my new home! I highly recommend it to anyone making the trek north or southbound who wants to take their car with them. I currently live between Deland and Sanford FL. I have used Amtrak often to travel to Tampa. So relaxing, far better than fighting I-4 to get to the other side of the state. The seats in coach are comfortable, and the leg room is great. For those departing Sanford... LOCAL PRO TIP----- The city of Sanford operates a free trolley to take you into old downtown Sanford (loads of great local restaurants to choose from, but I tend to favor long time favorites like Hollarbach's Willow Tree Inn, The Colonial Room, Zorba's and Christo's. Drop off your vehicle as early as you can if you have kiddos, and take advantage of a trolley ride to the Sanford Zoo (psssst.... they have ziplines!). If you want to adventure out a little further, get off the trolley at the Sanford SunRail station (literally about 1.5 miles from the Amtrak station) and check out places like Winter Park (SunRail shares stations with Amtrak in Winter Park, Orlando (Orlando Health station) and Kissimmee). Winter Park has a lovely area for shopping and dining, and it starts right across the street from the station... and right down the street is the Morse Museum (home to the most expansive collection of Tiffany glass!). The AdventHealth station is home to the Orlando Science Center. Looking for great BBQ? Check out Big John's Rockin' BBQ... literally just across the tracks from the Kissimmee Amtrak station, and to the right. I'm truly looking forward to Brightline's second phase to open up next year from South Florida to Orlando (the new intermodal station at Orlando International Airport is ready to go, and just awaiting SunRail and Brightline trains to make travel here in the Sunshine State more seamless!) Brightline currently operates between Miami and West Palm Beach... after the Orlando extension opens, they will be extending service to Tampa and Jacksonville. The terminals are sleek and modern, have all the amenities you could possibly want, and beautiful waiting rooms. The trains are sharp looking, and move at a higher rate of speed than Amtrak . If you have the opportunity, check it out!

fun fact, P42DC #207, the one leading your train, was the last P42 delivered to Amtrak in 2001 completing the order of 207 locomotives which are starting to be replaced by the new ALC-42s. also every time you post one of these videos it always makes me want to take a true overnight Amtrak train. I've taken countless Northeast Regionals and other Northeast Corridor trains, but the longest train I've taken was 15 hours on the Palmetto, which covers much of the same route as the Silver Meteor, but does not offer sleeper or diner accommodations.

Thanks for the shout out Jeb and I'm so glad my videos helped you get back up and out there! Glad you enjoyed the Silver Star! Question is...did I like it as much on the northbound trip just a couple of days later? 😀

I have to say, Jeb Brooks is the Bob Ross of trip reports!

My father was an engineer for the Coastline RR . He would take the train from Savannah to Jacksonville routinely. My childhood was filled with RR trips! This was very nostalgic for me🚞♥️

Jeb, the best thing about your videos is how excited you are to experience these journeys and, even more, to SHARE them with us. Keep journeying!

A lot of people felt the same way as you during the pandemic but you can be sure that your videos helped a LOT of people get through some tough times so please keep making them 🙂

Just wanted to mention that your comments wether bad or good, makes these trips worth watching and (in the future) the actual adventure!

No matter what or where, you express the fresh-eyed wonder of a novice rail rider, which I know you aren’t. Thanks for the enthusiasm!

This December I decided to do a solo trip for my birthday. Gonna do a full circuit, going from Omaha to Sacramento, then Sacramento to Portland, then Portland to Chicago, then finally back home. I've been rewatching all your amtrak videos in anticipation!

I'm glad your Mrs. talked you into taking a train trip. Your train travels have become the videos I look forward to the most.

It's actually nice that you decided to cover trains. I like your airline reviews, but my most favorite video in this channel is the luxury train you took in the Andes.

I'm so glad YouTube brought me to your channel. I'm also kind of bummed at the same time. I'll never be able to watch anyone else's reviews of planes and trains. The way you narrate and describe things is so genuine. We hear the excitement and joy in your voice. Top notch video quality and music selection.

What I love about taking Amtrak? You go through areas throughout the entire United States that has not been touched by man. No buildings, no towns, all open untouched land. Beauty at its best!

Train travel is so underrated. Great video as always. Keep it up.

As a Brit, I'm quite jealous of the long train journey's you guys get to take. The best I can get is to get on the caledonian sleeper here in London up to Edinbrugh and as the name says it's not nescessarily the best one for seeing the country! Would love to see you come over to Europe to try out some of our trips you can do by train!

You are absolutely right. I used to take a book on the train but never cracked it open. I sit in my roomette, look out the window, and feel my blood pressure drop. It's a marvelous surprise. Every time! Just so you know, I'm from Alaska and usually go to Southern California for a vacation once a year. Coast Starlight Seattle to LA & back. Wonderful!