topic Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida in Community Chat

Amtrak from DC to Florida

skatting44 — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 16:46:40 GMT

Heard that an Amtrak train that departed Union Station in DC that was headed to Sanford, Florida which is usually a 17 hr trip was held up 37 hrs .

Apparently, it was stuck in rural South Carolina . This was definitely an ordeal . The article excerpt below :

" Several of the 563 passengers made 911 calls alleging they were being kidnapped The calls came after people were informed they couldn't exit, open their windows, smoke, or let their pets outside during what one passenger dubbed the "train from hell." The train was traveling from Lorton, Virginia, to Sanford, Florida, a trip that was initially supposed to last 17 hours, according to the Daily Mail. "

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

JaneMarple — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 16:49:42 GMT

The amtrak train was delayed on account of a freight train derailment.

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

PA Mom-mom — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 18:07:45 GMT

@skatting44 We used that auto train in the past. It runs from Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL. DH and our friends seemed to enjoy the ride, but I thought it was interminably long. It travels unimaginably slowly, and there is no scenery to speak of. I can't imagine being stuck on that train for an extra day.

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

skatting44 — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 17:07:17 GMT

@PA Mom-mom

I had considered taking this train on one of my last trips to Fl . I understand it was delayed due to an accident somewhere on the tracks, but to make everyone keep their animals inside without being able to use the outdoor bathroom was cruel to the animals .

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

PA Mom-mom — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 17:09:56 GMT

@skatting44 wrote:
@PA Mom-mom

I had considered taking this train on one of my last trips to Fl . I understand it was delayed due to an accident somewhere on the tracks, but to make everyone keep their animals inside without being able to use the outdoor bathroom was cruel to the animals .

Not to mention the ensuing health hazard!

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

smoochy — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 17:48:43 GMT

@skatting44 wrote:
@PA Mom-mom

I had considered taking this train on one of my last trips to Fl . I understand it was delayed due to an accident somewhere on the tracks, but to make everyone keep their animals inside without being able to use the outdoor bathroom was cruel to the animals .

There is always more to a story. Amtrak officials stated that they assisted with taking pets out to potty, provided snacks and beverages to the psssengers, gave regular updates as to the status of the delay.
shame on the ppl who called 911. Wasting the time and resources of emergency personnel. The train was delayed because of a derailment of a freight train. No one's fault.
I feel like if you're going to post news stories that we can all read on a million news outlets ( I don't come to a shopping forum for national or world news), at least post the entire story and not just edited portions

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

RollTide2008 — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 17:45:39 GMT

The train was stopped in a wooded rural area with uneven terrain in the dark. Seems like not allowing passengers to disembark was a safety measure.

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

JaneMarple — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 17:50:36 GMT

@smoochy wrote:
@skatting44 wrote:
@PA Mom-mom

I had considered taking this train on one of my last trips to Fl . I understand it was delayed due to an accident somewhere on the tracks, but to make everyone keep their animals inside without being able to use the outdoor bathroom was cruel to the animals .

There is always more to a story. Amtrak officials stated that they assisted with taking pets out to potty, provided snacks and beverages to the psssengers, gave regular updates as to the status of the delay.
shame on the ppl who called 911. Wasting the time and resources of emergency personnel. The train was delayed because of a derailment of a freight train. No one's fault.
I feel like if you're going to post news stories that we can all read on a million news outlets ( I don't come to a shopping forum for national or world news), at least post the entire story and not just edited portions

Exactly!

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

deepwaterdotter — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 17:52:27 GMT

@RollTide2008 wrote:
The train was stopped in a wooded rural area with uneven terrain in the dark. Seems like not allowing passengers to disembark was a safety measure.

This makes sense to me.

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

skatting44 — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 18:00:25 GMT

@smoochy @JaneMarple

I had not read abt those details of the story you mentioned . The news article I read did not include this added info. Thanks for posting the additional info .

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

mspatmac — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 18:38:15 GMT

I took that train years ago with family and it was an adventure. No issues at all. Having our car available was terrific. Coming home went smooth too. Great to jump into car and go home made it stress free.

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

Greeneyedlady21 — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 19:24:16 GMT

That's why the Daily Mail is not a good news source. It's a tabloid that tailors stories for clickbait. That's why they make things up and leave other things out.

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

ValuSkr — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 20:03:11 GMT

Regardless of what really happened, it seems on-site Amtrak personnel could have done a better job keeping their customers - i.e. the passengers - informed. I don't blame folks for calling 911 if they were really in the dark as to what was going on.

My mother took a trip on Amtrak recently and said she couldn't even understand what they were saying on the PA most of the time. That's just great.

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

msgb — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 20:12:44 GMT

I have taken the train many times. Each time they have been delayed. It is due to the fact that AMTRACk does not own the rail lines and the freighters have the right away.

One of the times I was delayed was for quite a long time outside of Truckee, California. We were not allowed out of the train due to insurance issues.
I was delayed outside of Buffalo, NY too this was for a less amount --this was about 5 hours. It is an inconvience. It is frustrating.

Due to a health issue I am unable to fly. I give myself at least a two day window because of the known delays.
I have taken this route from DC to Florida as well and it had a delay as well. It is more the norm than the exception.

There is nothing that is perfect in the travelling business.

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

ALRATIBA — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 20:28:23 GMT

Quite a few years ago,one summer I was enroute on Amtrak to WDC hoping to make my connection in DC to catch my train to New York.

Somewhere between WV and DC - there was an issue with the weather/heat/tracks and we were delayed HOURS! I should have been in NYC mid-afternoon ... didn't get in until almost midnight.

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

Stelladorable — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 20:28:49 GMT

@Greeneyedlady21 wrote:
That's why the Daily Mail is not a good news source. It's a tabloid that tailors stories for clickbait. That's why they make things up and leave other things out.

It's a tabloid. You have to fact check everything they say. So manipulative, but they know what sells and it isn't peace and light. Or else they'd have lead with the kind workers who organized the potty breaks for the animals.

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

JoyFilled Warrior — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 20:59:19 GMT

I appreciate @skatting44 posting this "original news," & as well as her "source," esp since it pertains to news & updates I'm quite interested in.

I appreciate @fairygodmother providing us with additional info concerning this, important developing news.

I appreciate @skatting44 acknowledging & thanking @fairygodmother for posting her additional info. @skatting44 also apologized that her news was brand new, & absent some addt'l info that some would find even more helpful.

All 'round, to the ppl of this entire Forum, I appreciate the news & info I read by the many contributing, generous people on this entire Forum, as well as the incredible compassion here that so many share, from their heart, in their kind effort to help others.

May this Forum continue to be filled with such special ppl.

There! I've shared my "selfish" wish.

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

Mindy D — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 22:00:27 GMT

My mother in law was held over almost as long coming from Orlando to Hollywood, FL or Hollywood, FL to Orlando. I can't remember which. I think her trained was stopped for around five hours. This is not uncommon with Amtrack. There are many accidents with people on the tracks and train problems. Of course, this is just an inconvenience when it's compared to 37 hours.

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

JaneMarple — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 22:02:57 GMT

I love Amtrak, I travel at least four times a year by train. It's more relaxing to me than flying. I took the Acela for the first time this past August and from now on that's what I'm taking.

Re: Amtrak from DC to Florida

giova — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 23:02:24 GMT

I feel like if you're going to post news stories that we can all read on a million news outlets ( I don't come to a shopping forum for national or world news), at least post the entire story and not just edited portions.

I totally agree.