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32+ Hours in a NEW Amtrak Viewliner II Bedroom



Watch this video to see the highlights of Amtrak’s most popular overnight train journey – and it’s probably not the one you think.

Each month, Amtrak publishes data about their performance. Recently, a surprising train journey has risen to the top of the list. If you’d like to see the data for yourself, there’s a link at the bottom of the description!

Our trip starts from the Amtrak Moynihan Train Hall and we’ll even explore the Amtrak Metropolitan lounge in New York city!

In this video, you’ll see Amtrak’s NEW Viewliner II Bedroom. This is the first new carriage for Amtrak in more than 25 years and you’ll see all of its highlights. Including the Viewliner II Roomette, Viewliner II Accessible Bedroom, and – of course – the Viewliner II Bedroom!

You’ll even see Amtrak meals on their East Coast journeys, which are…still a bit disappointing.

If you’d like to learn more about the other room types, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54SqYY_KwO0

Here’s a link to Paul “Wingin’ It” Lucas’s Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/PaulsTripReports/videos

Here’s one about the Empire Builder:

Here’s a link to our video about Amtrak’s Southwest Chief: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYiMihP0OHU

And, here’s a video showcasing the California Zephyr: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1gRPEZdKyI

Oh! Here’s one we made comparing the Acela to a plane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVLnQFTazz8

Let’s make this easy, here’s a playlist of all of our train videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQhp4hw0kFepS_ZVMUVMsf43z3FYjn4cc

0:00 Introduction
2:20 Boarding Amtrak Overnight Train
4:51 Amtrak Viewliner II Bedroom Tour
13:58 Day Two Begins onboard Amtrak
21:24 Bloopers

For more trip reports, please subscribe to my channel!
http://www.JebBrooksFlies.com

Check me out on Instagram:
https://www.Instagram.com/JebBrooksFlies

Check me out on Twitter, too:

And don’t forget to take a look at my travel blog:
https://greenergrass.com/

Music:
Mimicking Your Breathing – Harper Rey
Taking Things Easy – Benjamin Carey
In a Dream (Instrumental Version) – Benjamin Carey
Run (Instrumental Version) – Daniel Gunnarsson
Picking Petals – View Points
Under the Hood – Benjamin Carey
Boots and Laces – Lindsey Abraham
On the Road Again – Nylonia
Vagabond Heart (Instrumental Version) – Arch Tremors
Mountain Spring High – Gabriel Lewis
Not Quite There – Water Mirrors
Watchers and Doers (Instrumental Version) – Christopher Malley
Stuck With What I Left – Harper Rey
It Can Be Done – Airae

And here’s a link to the Amtrak data:
https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/monthlyperformancereports/2022/Amtrak-Monthly-Performance-Report-June-2022.pdf

27 Comments

  1. joel k

    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.

  3. ZEZERBING

    Ive been to Chicago and just got back from Washington. a lot of homeless people begging for money in the station. Is Amtrak addressing this?

  6. Burby Geek

    Years ago my mom made me take the train NYC to Orlando

    If I want to punish my kids I might do the same

  11. Jason Summers

    Jeb, I love your videos; this Silver Star Amtrak was another prime example. I recently had the pleasure of travel aboard the Silver Star from Raleigh to Miami and Miami to Philadelphia on 8/22 and 8/28 respectively. I had a roomette both directions and made sure to request an even car for the new Viewliner II. The new cars are soooo much better than the older rolling stock IMO. On the way back I had the opportunity to sit in a bedroom for a few minutes and I think if finances allow I'll book one on my next trip. It's cavernous compared to a roomette.

    My favorite meals are the salmon and the short ribs; breakfast was so so. The butter cake is amazing! They ran out of them on the northbound trip they were so popular. Although I haven't experienced the cafe car yet it's on the list to sample the new menu.

    Philadelphia is my travel city so I have yet to experience the new Metropolitan lounge but I'm very much looking forward to it. Miles ahead of the old lounge in the old Penn. Although I'm a foamer, I'm planning a trip to SF in March in which I'll fly out of Newark (EWR). Have you flown United's domestic 777? It seems like a unique way to travel transcontinental.

  14. Paul Smith

    In FY21 the Silver Star had an operating loss of $34.5 million before depreciation, interest, and miscellaneous charges. The average taxpayer subsidy was $184.29 per passenger.

    Actually, the entire trip is powered by electric motors. From New York to Washington, the locomotives draw the power from catenary. From Washington to Miami, the power is generated by an onboard diesel engine, which turns a generator that provides electric energy to the electric motors that drive the locomotive.

    A bedroom from New York to Miami on the Silver Star for October 4th, as an example, costs $1,619, compared to $557 for an economy room and $130+ for a coach.

    Amtrak is making a mistake by not allowing coach passengers to eat in the dining car. It is time to remove this pandemic induced constraint. Most of Amtrak’s long-distance passengers are not riding end point to end point. They ride from one intermediate point to another. For many of them, eating in the dining car adds value to their trip.

    In FY21 the Silver Star’s on-time-performance at its end points was 44.6 percent. On time at the intermediate points was even worse. This year, the situation appears to have deteriorated even more. Through the first six months of FY22 the Star’s on-time performance at its end points was 35.4 percent.

    Irrespective of the challenges associated with traveling on Amtrak’s long-distance trains, the opportunity to watch a diverse country roll by is a high point. On many if not most of the company’s long-distance trains, it makes putting up with the shortcomings worthwhile.

  15. Cristian Mendoza

    Have you ever thought about taking another go at an Amtrak route you’ve done before maybe see a route in a different season, like the zephyr in summer or fall?

  17. Jonathan Martens

    Hey jeb. I have a brilliant idea for your channel. You should make us be able to have channel memberships! I think that will be a great addition for all of us. You are my favorite creator and always will be. You work very hard for us and it is greatly appreciated. 😊😊

  21. Bruce Wortmann

    Loved riding the Auto train (I think 2010) and still good in Fall of 2021 though the food service had not returned to full dining. I hope it has returned before riding it again. Not cheap, but considering if you need a more than 5 passenger auto in FL (tough and expensive rental) it is a good option to the 800 miles of additional driving at my advanced age.

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