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Amtrak Dining Car

by Kev
written by Kev

What you need to know about Amtrak Dining Cars

Over my years of traveling on Amtrak, many great memories and “interesting” conversations happened over a meal in the Amtrak Dining Car.

Even a long-term friendship started aboard the combined Sunset Limited/ Texas Eagle train over lunch in the dining car. (Hi Sean and David)

Amtrak food update

Amtrak modified all Eastern long-distance trains to the new contemporary meal service on October 1st, 2019. For information on the latest changes, check out this article. This article has been updated to reflect those changes.

The dining car is the heart and soul of the train, where people gather for a common goal, food!

Topics Covered

  • What Amtrak trains have or do not have Amtrak dining cars
  • Links to dining car menus
  • The type of dining cars used on Amtrak trains
  • Mealtimes
  • How to make meal reservations
  • Car etiquette

Diner on the Silver Meteor

What Amtrak Trains Have Dining Cars & What Sleeper Lounges?

Trains that do not have dining cars at all

Amtrak Silver Star

Amtrak’s Silver Star in Orlando, FL

  • Regions trains (trains that travel less than 750 miles)
    • Examples of regions trains routes include the Midwest Corridor or the Northeast Corridor ( and there are others)
    • These trains have cafe cars instead of dining cars
    • Short-run regionals, like the Hiawatha and others, often do not have food service
  • Silver Star (long-distance train) Dining car service in returning in 2020
  • Palmetto (long-distance train but not an overnight train)

Amtrak trains with traditional dining cars

Amtrak trains with flexible dining

As of right now, this service is only available to sleeping car passengers, and Amtrak is looking to expand this service to coach and business class passengers.

Amtrak's Capital Limited

Capitol Limited at a station stop in Cumberland, Maryland

Wait, let’s back up for a second, what is a dining car?

A dining car is where Amtrak serves meals in a restaurant-style; a cafe car sells grab and go food, beverages, and snacks.

Amtrak Dining Car Menus

The menus seem to change quarterly, and some trains have off-menu specials, but not all. Occasionally some meal choices run out along the way, but other options are usually are available if your first choice isn’t. Sidenote: trains are stocked with food at the endpoint and not restocked er route.

If you have special food requirements or questions on special meals, click here.

Capitol Limited Sleeper Lounge

A dining car that now serves as a lounge for sleeper car passengers

Two Types of Amtrak Dining Cars

Amtrak runs both bi-level and single-level trains and single-level trains on routes in and out of New York Penn Station. The bi-level trains do not fit in the tunnels.

  • Sleeping Car Lounge
    • These lounges are either Viewliner or Superliner dining cars
    • Amtrak uses these for sleeping car passenger to relax
    • The “contemporary meals” are served out of these cars
  • Superliner Traditional Diners
    • Bi-level cars
    • The dining area in on the upper level while this kitchen is on the lower lever in Superliner dining cars
    • Booths seating on the top level with the kitchen below
    • Found the long-distance train that does not go through New York Penn, but the City of New Orleans and Capitol Limited use a modified version of this car (see below)
Amtrak Signature Steak dinner served on the Silver Meteor

Amtrak Signature Steak dinner

Mealtimes for Traditional Amtrak Dining Cars

Meal services operate during the local time, but for the Eastbound Cardinal and Capitol Limited. The meal times on these trains star and continue on Central time even after it crosses over to Eastern Time,

General dining car note

  • Abridged or omitted meal services may occur if the train reaches its final destination during the typical meal service
    • Ask onboard staff if you have questions
  • The cafe car is available to purchase food from early in the morning to late at night but does close for the attendance breaks

Breakfast

  • Breakfast services time is from 6:30 am – 10:00 am
  • Last boarding time to receive breakfast service is 9:30 am
  • Reservations are usually not needed
  • There are no announcements for the start of this service; you may go for breakfast anytime after  6:30  am

Lunch

  • Lunch Service is from 11:30 am – 3:00 pm
  • Last boarding time to receive lunch service is 2:30 pm
  • Reservations could be required

Dinner

  • Dinner service is from 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm
  • Final boarding time to receive dinner service is 8:30 pm
  • Reservations are required

Be advised, all this can change at any time and can vary from train to train.

Amtrak's salad and dinner roll

Amtrak’s salad and dinner roll

Info on Meal Reservation

You need a reservation for supper, possibly for lunch (depending on the train), but never for breakfast.

Sleeping car passengers

There are times when your car attendant will make the reservations for you; an example is if you are not on board during the time reservations are being made.

For sleeper car passengers, making reservations is easy. The dining car makes an announcement stating that they are coming around to take reservations, and during that time, have at least one person in the room to make the reservation. Often when you make your reservations, they give you a reservation reminder slip.

Coach passengers

For passengers in coach class, after they take the sleeper’s reservations, the dining car steward walks through the coach cars to make reservations for those passengers, wait at your seat till after they come through if you want a ticket. There is a chance that you could catch them in the observation car, but your reservation choice could be limited. If you board the train after they take reservations, you can ask in the dining car if there are any openings or wait and see if they have the last call. The cafe is always available for food as well.

If you miss booking a reservation

If there are open seats at the end of the service, they may announce that seating is available for people without reservation. During that time, if the diner becomes too full, they take names in order of that you arrive and call you back as seats open.

Ask your car attendant if meal services the announce reservations or if you should walk to the dining car at your reservation time.

Be aware at times the dining car is busy, and 6:30 reservation could get called at 6:45, but they still call it a “6:30.” This congestion can be due to passengers lingering too long after their meal or not coming at their scheduled time.

When You Enter Traditional Amtrak Dining Car

Skip this section if you plan on riding the Capitol Limited, Lake Shore Limited, and Silver Star and go the next section for more about the services on those trains

Below is common practice for eating in an Amtrak Dining Car

The exceptions are the Capitol Limited and Lake Shore Limited, more on those later.

  • When arriving in the dining car, wait to be seated
    • The steward will often tell you where to sit
  • Amtrak practices community seating mostly when they are busy
    • If there are fewer than four people in your party, others may join you
  • Sleeping car passengers
    • Before you order your meal, the staff will hand you a piece of paper fill in your sleeper car number, room number/letter (this info is on your ticket), and then sign the staff will fill everything else out for you
    • All scheduled meals come with the price of your room ticket (so pick what you want), a meal includes one entree, plus meal appropriate extras such as breakfast meat, cheese, desserts with lunch and dinner, and salad and dinner roll
    • Meals include beverages but not alcohol (except for the Capitol Limited and Lake Shore Limited)
  • Coach passengers
    • You will not have to sign a slip
    • You are responsible for paying for your meal
    • The experience is similar to that of a restaurant
Amtrak Meal

Amtrak Contemporary Meal: Red Wine Braised Beef – Photo Courtesy of Amtrak

Eastern Trains Flex Dining

  • Dining car service is not available to coach passengers on these two trains
  • Amtrak offers a “contemporary” food selection
    • These trains meals are pre-made
      • Offerings include both hot and cold meals
      • Breakfast is similar to a hotel set up with a heated up sandwich and drinks available from the attendant
    • Amtrak is still working on these new meal programs
    • Mealtimes on these cars are flexible to your needs.
  • On these trains, the diner cars are now lounge cars and only for sleeper car passengers
  • Meals include your first alcoholic beverage
  • Unlimited non-alcoholic beverages throughout the whole trip
  • Menu for these trains
Lake Shore Limited

Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited in Albany.

Sleeping Car Passengers Meals Aboard The Eastern Routes

You are now able to get your meal when they are convenient for you. I have not been on these trains since the recent changes have come into play. Ask your car attendant what the procedure is for your train.

Current protocol in these cars

You can order your meals with your car attendant to have them brought to you. The other option is to eat in the Sleeper Lounge Car. If you chose this option, walk to the car and place your order with the attendant in that car. After they prep your meal they will bring it to your table, or you can carry it back to your accommodation.

Diner and lunchtimes are open to when you are hungry, and ask for current breakfast times, probably available after 6 am.

Anytime there is an attendant in the car, you can ask for complimentary soft drinks anytime and adult beverages during dinner.

Box meal on the builder

A meal I had on the Portland section of an Eastbound Empire Builder.

This meal was handed out after leaving Portland, OR.

Trains That Split ~ Empire Builder & Lake Shore Limited

A few trains like the Empire Builder and the Lakes Shore Limited that split or join another train with the same name en route. During your part of your trip, there may not have a dining or cafe car. Often your section of the train will have one or the other.

For example, the Portland section (28) of the Empire Builder joins the Seattle section (8) in Spokane, WA. The Seatle section has the diner, and the Portland section has a cafe car. If you are a Portland sleeper passenger, you are handed a meal soon after you leave, and after the two trains combine, you will enjoy the rest of your meals in the dining car.

Tipping

Tipping is appreciated, and many passengers base the tip amount off the menu prices.

Safe Travels!

Kev

For more information on traveling on Amtrak, check out this page. To keep up to date when new information becomes available or when the older post gets updated, sign up from the newsletter/email list. If you are interested in more details about riding Amtrak, check out this growing page.

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From Charleston, SC, to Disney World by Amtrak

by Kev
written by Kev

Disney World by Amtrak (Charleston, SC to Kissimmee, FL)

Disney World by Amtrak is at the bottom of the story (feel free to skip the rest if that is what you are looking for)

For now, I am going to skip the post of my visit with Abby in Charleston, SC, but jump to the next phase of the trip, traveling to Disney World by Amtrak. Mainly Abby and I went to the dog park, she got brushed, fed, and repeat, but I may come back to it though if you want.

Charleston, S.C. to Disney via Kissimmee, FL

Charleston SC Amtrak Station

The new North Charleston SC Amtrak Station.

On Sunday, March 31, my brother-in-law drove me to the new North Charleston Amtrak Station.

When I arrived last week, it was a quick walkthrough because my little niece was not happy that she and her mom had to pick me up at 5:30 am. So I was not able to see much of the station, but with this visit, I was able to enjoy the new station and take a few photos. They are still working finishing things up, such as parking, landscaping, and interior decorating.

Inside the new Charleston (SC) Amtrak Station

Inside the new Charleston (SC) Amtrak Station

While waiting, I heard my name announced over the PA system to come to the ticket office, the first time this ever happened. As I walked up, I thought something happened or who died?

Long story short, the agent noticed my ticket and said that she could save me time and money on my trip, and that was the reason she called me up. It was very kind of her. This station has the best agents I have ever dealt with years of Amtrak travel. To get Kissimmee, I had three trains routes to choose from, and I decided on the most extended way because I could, and it fit everyone’s schedule the best.

If the agent only knew I rode Amtrak for fun as well as transportation.

Palmetto coming into CHS

Amtrak’s Palmetto pulling into the new Charleston Station

The first train: Charleston, SC to Wilson, NC

The Palmetto was the first train of this adventure; from Charleston, S.C. to Wilson N.C., Yes I went north to go south. You might remember last year rode the Palmetto from Philadelphia, PA, to Charleston, SC., and like then I used business class.

The ride was pleasant but for a gaggle of gals who also boarded in Charleston. There were a little louder than I would appreciate, but it worked out.

I don’t mind others having a good time, but people should remember they didn’t invite everyone else in the car to their party, so it can be a little annoying when they do get a little too loud — this why I pack over the ear headphones to block the noise out, and we are all happy.

Moral of the story is, be respectful of your fellow passengers.

The mural inside the Wilson, NC Amtrak station

The mural inside the Wilson, NC Amtrak station

At Wilson, N.C.

Waiting area Wilson NC Amtrak Station

One of two waiting areas at the Wilson NC Amtrak Station

The Wilson, (NC) Station, an old 1924 Atlantic Coastline Railroad Station, has a nostalgic charm. To celebrate the 100 plus years of railroad history in  Wilson, the NCDOT commissioned a mural for the station.

The station has two waiting rooms, a larger waiting room, where the mural is the focal point and a smaller place off on the side that works well if you need work or want less traffic.

If you need a snack or beverage, there are vending machines in the hallway between the two waiting areas.

This staffed station offers check bag service, (if applicable to your trip). Because this is a small station, the agents may not be available for ticket sales or other in station assistance right before a train comes or while the train is in the station because they are working on getting passengers on and off the train. The station also has Amtrak Connecting Bus services.

Miss Rail Rose

Miss Rail Rose

On your next visit to Wilson, say hello to Miss Rail Rose, a mosaic lady who greets and bidding farewell to all passengers.  I am not for sure if she is waiting for a train, but when it does arrive, she is ready.

While in Wilson, I forgot that most southern cities close on Sundays, so nothing was open around the station.

The City of Wilson does offer free Wifi, but it is spotty in the stations. When you have free Wifi, you can’t complain.  The station owned by the City of Wilson offers a parking lot for passengers.

To Raleigh, NC

Amtrak's Carolinian at Raleigh Union Station

Amtrak’s Carolinian at Raleigh Union Station

The short trip to Raleigh happened aboard the Carolinian in business class. I sat next to a lady on her way to stay with her daughter, who had an upcoming surgery. We started chatting while waiting for the train and then quickly became seatmates.

One enjoyable feature of business class on the Carolinian is the car attendant. The attendant help passengers on and off the train, assist with ticket collection, and offers hot and cold complimentary beverages. I experienced a similar service on the Pacific Surfliner in CA.

The train came in on time at the Raleigh Union Station. After de-training, I walked from the platform to the station through a tunnel.

Raleigh Union Station

Raleigh Union Station

At the Raleigh station

Gayle and I

Gayle and I at Raleigh Union Station

During the layover, I met with a Facebook friend and TWK follower, Gayle McCurry. Gayle was a wealth of knowledge of the Amtrak in NC and my guide to the city.

Gayle is an active member and the contact person for the North Carolina’s Train Host Association. The Hosts serve as “Goodwill Ambassadors” to for the North Carolina Department of Transportation sponsored Amtrak trains, the Piedmont and Carolinian. According to the NCDOT brochure, “volunteers assist passengers with travel questions and information; assist train crew in duties as required by them, and promote rail safety.”

Cow Bar Burger

Cow Bar Burger, Fries, and Brew

After Gayle a quick look at the station, we walked to the Food Hall to get something to eat. The Morgan Street Food Hall offers a variety of food and beverage vendors. After scouting around the Food Hall, we, found the Cow Bar, a burger and fries joint. To wash it down, I walked over to the bar located near the center of the building for a brew.

The food was excellent and filling! The burger was enough, but the fries were too tempting, so I ordered those in addition to the burger.

After the delicious meal, we walked back, and Gayle showed me the grounds and interior of the station.  What an impressive station with room for growth.

After this short visit to Raliegh, N.C. it is now on my list of cities I want to return to and explore.

Trains to Disney-Amtrak’s Silver Service Trains

Amtrak Silver Star

Amtrak’s Silver Star in Orlando, FL

I took the Silver Star down to the Kissimmee Amtrak Stations; the other option being the Silver Meteor. From Charleston, the Meteor is a more direct route. Both trains run from New York Penn to Miami, FL; the differences between the two train are:

  • The Star does not have a dining car
  • Different schedules
    • The Star is an earlier train
    • The Meteor runs later
  • The routes split between Selma-Smithfield, NC and Savana, GA
    • The Meteor stays closer to the coast
    • The Star travels more inland

The Auto Train will take you to Stanford, FL from Lorton, VA, and then you have a car to drive the rest of the way.

My experience with the Silver Star was pleasant,  I did miss the dining car, but I only had lost one meal on this train because of when I got on and off of the train,

The only regret I had for this part of the trip was I didn’t get in line at hot dog stand line early enough at the Orlando Station. We were at the station longer than I thought,  so when I did get inline they started calling All Aboard, I missed out on that.

From the Amtrak’s Kissimmee Station to the Disney Transportation and Ticket Center

Getting from the Kissimmee Amtrak Station to Walt Disney World is relatively easy, especially with a basic knowledge of public transportation.  Look for a bus stop sign with the number you are looking for and your destination. Apps like Google Maps will tell you what bus or train you need to ride. Remember that buses go in two directions, so pay attention to the destination signs on the bus to ensure it’s going to the right location.

If you want to take the bus to Disney

Aboard the 56 Lynx Bus headed to Disney

Aboard the 56 Lynx Bus headed to Disney

From the Kissimmee Station, the closest #56 Lynx Bus Stop is on West Neptune Rd; just a short walk from the Amtrak station (about .2 of a mile). #56 travels to Disney every 20 minutes and terminates at the Transportation and Ticket Center at Disney, so you will never miss your destination.

Once on board, insert two dollars in the machine, and you are off! Remember to have the exact amount because drivers do not give change. Then sit back for the roughly hour-long ride to the park.

From Disney’s Transportation and Ticket Center, you can find a ride to wherever you need to go on the Disney complex via bus or monorail. There is a security check before you get on the Monorail at the Ticket and Transportation Center. Disney Security checks all bags brought into the parks, including luggage. It is easier than getting through them than the TSA.

There is public transportation from Orlando, but then there are transfers while Kissimmee was one bus.

Rideshares like Uber and Lyft are also available that works better for you.

Disney World Monorail

Disney World Monorail entrance at the Ticket and Transportation Center

 

I hope you have been enjoying this part of the trip!

Safe travels!

Kev

Looking for more information on traveling Amtrak, check out this page! Have other questions feel free to contact me!

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Planning of my first trip of 2019, part 2

by Kev
written by Kev

Planning of my first trip of 2019, Part 2 ~ from Charleston, S.C. to Florida

Recap of the this series

If you are interested in what I packed for this trip, check out Part One and the basics are listed.

Recap of what is going on in the section

As you might remember, while my family is enjoying Disney Abby and I will be holding the fort down back home at my sister’s for a week.

My brother-in-law will be flying back on the Saturday of that week, and this means I might drive his dream sports car to pick him up from the airport. I am a little nervous about this because of it his “baby.”

According to an Inc.com article, South Carolina drivers have a reputation for careless driving and speeding. From my experience, they don’t know how to merge and don’t realize that turn signals aren’t an invasion of their privacy.

The V-8 has a few more horses under the hood than my four-cylinder Saturn. I know I can handle the eight-mile drive.

If he decided to get an Uber or Lyft, I wouldn’t be upset.

The dilemma

I have three choices of train routes to go from Charleston, S.C. to Kissimmee, FL.

  • Option one
    • Downside
      • The Meteor leaves at 4:50 AM.
      • My brother-in-law probably won’t want to get up that early especially after he just got home the night before, but I know he would
    • Upside
      • The fastest way is on the Silver Meteor (the train I took to Charleston)
  • Option two
    Amtrak Coffee

    Coffee from Amtrak’s Cafe Car

    • Downside
      • Three times longer and two layovers
      • Times that work for everyone
        • Late morning departure and early afternoon arrival
    • Plus side
      • I get to ride two trains I have never down before
      • The pauses are decent and not too long
      • Extra points are available if I book business class on either of the first two trains
  • Option Three
    • Downside
      • Only one layover BUT  it is overnight seven-plus hour layover in Savannah, GA from 9 pm to 4 am (rounded times)
      • Not a fan of overnight station stays like that, too short or economical  for a hotel
    • Upside
      • On paper, this trip sounds good,
      • Late departure 7:19 pm
      • I would get to Kissimmee at the same time as the other second option, but I would have more time with Abby

What did I pick?

I did pick the second choice, the longest one. This route gives me more train and solo time before spending five night with six adults and a baby in an RV and visiting a busy park filled with a plethora of people and fantasy.

Option two route

Train one: The Palmetto

Amtrak in CHS

The Silver Meteor arriving at Charleston, SC

  • The Palmetto runs from New York, NY to Savana, GA
    • My travels are from Charleston, S.C. to Wilson, N.C.
    • My run time 4 hours 24 minutes
    • Miles: 252
    • Single level equipment
  • Accommodations
  • Food
  • Route note, I rode the Palmetto last year from Philadelphia to Charleston, S.C.

 First layover

My first layover is in Wilson, N.C., at a 1920’s train station. The wait time is about an hour and a half, enough time to stretch my legs and get some fresh air. Maybe get a snack if there is something close.

Train two: The Carolinian

  • The Carolinian runs from New York, NY to Charollet, NC
    • My section is Wilson, N.C. to Raleigh, N.C.
    • My run time: 1 hour 13 minute
    • Miles: 55 mile
    • Single level equipment
  • Accommodations
    • Reserved coach
    • Business class
  • Food
  • Route note: A new route for me, and this journey is my shortest route of this whole adventure. This part takes longer than the 63 mile Hiawatha route that I rode to start this entire trip. Mostly due to a few more stops.

Layover two

Raleigh, N.C. is my next rest break, not that I need one after that a less than an hour train trip. During the almost 3 hours 30 minute breather, I plan on grabbing some food at a local restaurant and maybe a drink.

There was a change of route times since I booked the trip, but it doesn’t affect me that much at all because it’s in the middle of the journey and only 10 minutes.

During my time on the ground, I might be meeting up with a few Amtrak fans and Travels with Kev followers!

On the ground is a term that train (and other travelers) use to talk about the time, not on a train, bus, or plane, but physical on the ground.

Last train: The Silver Star

Viewliner Hallway

Looking down the hallway of a Viewliner Sleeper car.

The Silver Star is one of the remaining Amtrak long-distance trains that I have not been on; after this trip, the AutoTrain will be the only long-distance train that I have yet to ride! Problem with that one is you need a car to ride the train (and I don’t feel like driving Diane (my car) out there).

  • The Star Runs daily from New York, NY to Miami, FL (Similar to the Meteor but splits from the Meteor route around Selma, N.C. to travel inland and joins back onto the Meteor Route around Savannah, GA.)
    • My section Raleigh, N.C. to Kissimmee, FL
    • My run time: 13 hours 43 minute
    • Miles: 611
  • Accommodations
    • Reserved Coach class
    • Viewliner Sleepers
  • Food
    • Cafe car
    • This train DOES NOT HAVE A DINING CAR
  • I will have a roomette on this train

Why Kissimmee and not Orlando?

When people think of Disney, the City of Orlando comes to mind, and it did for me too. Disney provides transportation to the park from the airport but does not offer the same service from either Kissimmee nor Orlando Amtrak Stations.

Amtrak Train

Amtrak train pulling into Orlando, FL

The ticket price between the two stations is minimum, like a dollar, but when I looked closer, rideshares were cheaper from Kissimmee to the park than Orlando (at least at the time I was booking) My original plan was to rideshare to the park.

A few years ago I departed from the Orlando Station, but I have never been to Kissimmee before so that was part of the decision.

I can take a city bus to the park or a short Sunrail trip up to Orlando and then a bus to the park as well. There are enough fun options, but the final decision will be made the day I arrive because with travel you have to be flexible.

It looks like if I take Sunrail, I can use my ticket for one bus transfer and that is all I would need.

At Mouse Land

While I am there, I am letting the experts in my family guide me, but if you have any suggestions let me know!

I am looking forward to riding monorail while I am there.

If you are looking to plan a trip, there is a blogger/vlogger you should check out, Disney Food Blog. They provide information on both Disney parks and cover more than just food.

Going  back by Abby aka (back to Charleston)

Abby and I

Abby and I are posing for the camera!

One reason that I was invited to come down was to help drive back with my sister since my brother-in-law is flying home due to work. With the baby aboard it is easier if someone can take care of her as someone else drives.

After this original plan, things changed again, for our mother is now riding back with us. She is staying with my sister for and family a few weeks before they drive her back home.

I will be in Charleston for a few days before heading home to Wisconsin, and the plans for that is on the next post.

Wrap up

If you want to know what I am packing check out Part One, that has the basics of what I am packing.

I hope this post encourages you to travel, whether by rail, air, or however else.

Thanks for reading about my planning for this trip. I hope that it might help you plan your trip. If you want more information on traveling on Amtrak check out my Amtrak travel page.

Safe Travels!
Kev

 

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