I love trains and am going to take the "Silver Meteor" from Boston to Orlando.

1. 66

   Billrrrrposted 13 years ago

   I love trains and am going to take the "Silver Meteor" from Boston to Orlando.  Any advice or tips?
   
   I am going to be in the coach, no roomette, will I get meals in the dining car?   Is the food included in the ticket price?  Has anyone made a similar train trip.

   replyreport
2. 88

   LHwritingsposted 13 years ago

   In coach, you can certainly access the diner, but meals are not included in the fare. When you leave your seat, I'd recommend you take anything really valuable with you to the diner. (Overnight kit, reading material, etc. can usually be left in your seat or perhaps stuffed into your main piece of onboard luggage.)
   
   I haven't ridden the Meteor, but I've ridden the Silver Star, Tampa to Baltimore, which runs in a lot of the same route in Virginia and Florida. Great scenery. Middle of coach is best if you can find a seat there. Standard electrical sockets at seats, so you can plug in laptop, DVD player, recharger, etc.
   
   I've written a couple of articles with tips that may be helpful for overnight Amtrak travel, including coach:
   
   • Planning a Trip on Amtrak? Tips for Getting Yourself in the Right Frame of Mind
   http://lhwritings.hubpages.com/hub/Plan … me-of-Mind
   
   • Riding an Amtrak Train Overnight — Tips for First-Time Rail Travelers
   http://lhwritings.hubpages.com/hub/Ridi … -Travelers
   
   The second one (Riding an Amtrak Train Overnight) includes a number of very practical tips for a coach trip — things to take with you, what to expect, how to prepare, etc. Like a light blanket, change of clothing, etc.
   
   Hope it goes well — LH

   replyreport
3. 90

   ThelmaCposted 13 years ago

   I love trains too!  Hope you write a hub about your journey!!!

   replyreport
4. 68

   Specialist5posted 13 years ago

   Safety first; sleep second.  I hope you have a sleeping berth.  I trained from New London, CT, to Palm Beach, Fla., in a regular traing sitting up the whole 30+ hours in the middle of strangers.  It was not the most pleasant experience I could have had but than I was alone. 
   Make sure you and your things are safe.  Sleep only in a sleeping car.  Bring snacks and drinks, trains are very expen$ive.  You may get hungry and bored even if you eat a meal on the train.  Bring a companion, if you can, or make one in Boston that's also travelling a long way south.  Talk to people around you.  You'll feel safer and be safer.  Walk and stretch from time to time so your feet won't swell and your body parts won't go numb.  Bring those wet towels to wash up with at different junctions of the trip.  Don't get out at any stops.  Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes if you plan to watch the scenery for hours and hours.  Wear comfortable clothes and shoes and have a light jacket for when it cools down on the train.  Going south, sit facing south and on the left side of the train so you'll be on the side where you get ocean views as you go.  Pretty exciting stuff.  The opposite for the return trip unless you want to see what the other side has to offer for views.  Make friends with the train personnel.  They'll be more helpful.  Men should consider wearing a hat of some kind.  If you keep your wallet in your pant's pocket, wear a shirt outside your pants to cover the bulge where you keep your wallet.  Carry travellers checks instead of a lot of cash as they are protected.  Cash them when you get there.  Have cash for tips and buying things on the train and cabs to and from the train, if that's what you'll be using.  Don't spend a lot of time on your cell phone.  That will annoy a lot of people, and they may let you know about it.
   I think that will get you started.  Have a safe and wonderful trip.

   replyreport