#Amtrak Silver Star

[mrsmoose54]

Florida - Rail Options

Central Florida continues to attract increasing numbers of visitors annually. In 2021 is was reported that there were around 57 million visitors, the majority are US domestic travellers but 2 million are from overseas. Numbers are going up and certainly recovering from the impact of the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic. Would travelling through the Sunshine State by rail be an option for anyone instead…

[amtrak-official]

Round 2 poll 9

About 40 miles from the 2 coasts

[aryburn-trains]

Amtrak 804 Richmond VA Mar 2001 by Pete Piszczek Via Flickr: A southbound Twilight Shoreliner leaves Acca yard heading for Newport News, VA. The northbound Silver Star is easing into Acca, heading for Washington Union Station.

[trainingtofreedom]

December 28, 2023, Amtrak Silver Star

While it was dark out, I kept trying to sleep through the "toot toot". About eight hours of my trip was in darkness. The seats aren't too bad, but my back injury wasn't kind. Still, even when my back hurts, what can I do? I took a THC edible and tried to sleep through it. I skipped all the "smoke breaks" for this one.

Amtrak smoke breaks are a big deal. Raleigh station itself is a smoke break; they schedule them every four hours at the better-equipped stops. The conductor lets everyone know, and they all stand outside for about ten minutes. The train crew takes a fresh air break, and the small group of passengers don't stray far from the train so that they don't get left behind. There's no "double-check" for anyone who gets off and on again.

Even though I'd rolled a few smokes in my cane, I decided it was too much trouble to concentrate on which stop was a smoke and which wasn't. I stayed on-board for all twelve hours of my Raleigh trip.

I woke up sitting up, because there's no lying down on an Amtrak coach trip. My back was killing me. I remember the guy across the aisle was a colorful, talkative dude who spent 50% of his trip laying across two seats. He was harassed frequently by the conductor not to put his feet on the seat. He got off in Cary without me.

The dude that filled in next to me around Jacksonville was very quiet, and I felt bad every time I had to climb over for the bathroom or the cafe car. I learned, though, it's unavoidable, we just accept each other as seatmates for hours and hours. We didn't talk.

Many, many people got off in Cary. It was a much emptier train to Raleigh; I even got the seat next to me alone for that trip from Cary to Raleigh. Back up, though: I'm still not that far when the sun comes up.

Once the sun was high enough, the announcement was made that the cafe car was open. I'd never traveled across cars, never ate on a train. This was intimidating for me. Still, I was hungry, and I knew I couldn't starve myself across the country. I clambered over my seatmate and stumbled down the train aisle.

I can't express strongly enough how nervous I was. I looked up how the train was constructed, to figure out which way to go. Once I was standing up, the train wasn't a smooth ride, so I would lose balance frequently. Thank goodness for those high-backed coach seats.

Crossing cars was scary, too. Walk to the door, and press the big pressure-plate handle, and the door automatically slid open to a loud, windy, wobbly chamber between cars. I couldn't close the door behind me, which was unsettling because it is LOUD in there. I had to walk across the car-joint, which is 100% safe, but it looks terrifying. Then hit another door plate by hand, it slides open. Now I have two doors open between the cars that I can't close. I stepped through, looked back. FINALLY, the first door is sliding closed. I waited for door #2 to close, and...I was still a few doors away from the cafe car.

Repeat a few more times. I got to see the whole coach section this way. The trains split the sleeper cars from the coach cars by putting the cafe car in-between. One side of the cafe counter faces coach, the other side faces sleepers. There's eight or so tables, too.

I stumble, unbalanced, into the cafe car. All of the tables are taken, and I see the area to fix coffee, but it's not at all clear where to get food. The cafe counter bumps out a bit, so it's not visible from the door. I walk in anyway, and then...ah! A menu! I stop and look for a while, until someone startles me with, "The menu is over here, too, come around."

I didn't see the dude behind the cafe counter. I didn't even know it WAS the cafe counter. He had only about six linear feet of space to do his cafe work, and barely wide enough to fit a human sideways. I had to slide past the customers to get to the register, too; I gazed longingly at the sleeper side, then focused on the least-obtrusive order I could make. There was hot food, but I was feeling pretty poor and like a sore-thumb in the moment. Just a muffin and a coffee.

There were still no open tables, so I guess I would stumble back through the train cars again to enjoy my breakfast. Remember how I kept losing my balance? I definitely had my hand covered in coffee by the time I got to my seat. I prayed the whole time, please don't spill on anyone. I hope I didn't. I know my coffee was empty enough not to spill on my seatmate, anyway.

More than one person asked me where I got the goods. Before boarding, no one explains how the cafe car works, or where it is, so I got there by a guess. There must have been a half dozen others on my travels who were too afraid to make that guess themselves. I was happy to overexplain the process: Walk through two cars, don't worry, you'll know when you get there. Just keep walking that direction.

The muffin was a welcome relief to my growling stomach. The coffee was a warm comfort from the cold train car. Goodness, I was dehydrated too. I was pleased with myself; something worked out, I finally got food and drink.

Cary was uneventful; many people got off, a few people got on. I enjoyed a mostly empty car. I was sore, though, and the train was already an hour or two behind. I was supposed to be in Raleigh at 9am, and I wasn't even close. Just watch the window and hope you don't miss it.

The conductors are good about that, though. They wake everyone up before their stop. They track every person's destination. So they knew I would stay seated in Cary, and they made sure I was clear in Raleigh before anyone else got on.

Raleigh's a smoke break, a bunch of us got off. I was only one of a few, though, who would actually leave the platform for my next adventure.

[ocs-posting-mt05]

My Amtrak Gijinka

Left to right: Amtrak, Acela, Saluki, Avelia Liberty and Silver Star

[sunny-in-gotham]

Saw the beautifully preserved/restored art deco architecture of the Cincinnati Union Station (now the Cincinnati Museum Center)

They had an amazing architecture tour led by volunteers for the heritage program, and we got to go behind the scenes to look at more hidden/restricted areas.

The Rotunda

The 10 story tall half dome featured 2 massive glass mosaic murals with figures representing the history of Cincinnati. Beautiful earth tones in the marble and stucco, accented by aluminum and sometimes silver paint/flakes. The skylight windows over the street entrance were made of two layers of cross hatched glass that can be opened for ventilation, and they diffused the sunlight to give that classic art deco indirect lighting.

More Rotunda from the Catwalk

Tour guide told us the flag is 30 feet by 60 feet but wasn't sure how big a single star was, probably around 2 feet, she guesstimated.

The Tea Room (now an ice cream shop!)

Beautiful original tile and light fixtures, plus the window has a surreal view of the fossils on display in the natural history museum's section! The natural history and Cincinnati city history museum's wings were originally outdoors, an underpass for cars and taxis. Except for the windows from this tea room, you'd never have guessed the museum wings used to be outdoors because they're still so ornamented and polished.

Also the green tile is so gorg

The Secretary and President's Offices

Nice and shapely custom desks with drool-worthy geometric curves and angles. The key cabinet resided pointedly in the secretary's office. This area plus the Boardroom are a bit out of the way and are still being restored, so we were lucky to have special privileges on the tour!

The Boardroom

Each sofa had its own cigar tray with holder. Railroad execs and their Cuban cigars, amirite.

The Men's Lounge (now Amtrak lounge)

The light fixtures and inlaid wood murals are killer. There are some telephone booths I couldn't fit on here, but apparently they used to be shower stalls. It would have been nice to see them in their original form!

The Dining Room

The murals were applied with airbrush, so they were understandably challenging to restore. Even so, the colors are distinctly earthy!

[fabioperes]

Taking the TRAIN from Miami to Alaska! Try Tru Earth and use discount code DOWNIE for 10% OFF: https://ift.tt/eq0d1ML And subscribe to the Tru Earth YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TruEarthMovement Get the Postcards & Artwork from this series!👇🏼 Get the 10 pack with artwork from each episode: https://ift.tt/Gvdt4ik Follow me on Instagram: @DownieLive All my favourite products! 👇🏼 Mike’s Wool Shirts: https://anianmfg.com Mike’s Hats: https://wirthhats.com Mike’s shoes: https://vessi.com (use Discount code DOWNIE) Tru Earth: https://ift.tt/Z3E5Hbx... (use discount code DOWNIE) Athletic Greens: https://ift.tt/8OTNlaQ Incogni: https://ift.tt/BCWEyqV (discount code DOWNIE) Surfshark VPN at https://ift.tt/nYycAp6 (discount code DOWNIE) Become a Lord at: https://ift.tt/HwNdWQY (discount code DOWNIE) Click the JOIN button to support the channel and watch the BONUS behind-the-scenes videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvjJzc-UcTv2P5LR6NGP2lg/join Edited by: @WarwickHughes & @MattMort Thumbnail by: Matt Mort 0:00 - Introduction to DownieLive Travels by Train: America 0:38 - America's Most Southern Train 1:01 - America's Most Southern Station 2:14 - Brightline Train 5:14 - Tru Earth Laundry Eco-strips 6:13 - Amtrak Silver Star 13:10 - Washington, DC 13:48 - Season 2 Trailer 14:33 - America's Fastest Train, Amtrak Acela via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8--9veN7EUk

[psychiccyclerebel]

Amtrak may be planning to combine Capitol Limited and Silver Star: Analysis (updated) https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/amtrak-may-be-planning-to-combine-capitol-limited-and-silver-star-analysis/

[brookston]

Holidays 5.1

Holidays

Agriculture Day (Haiti)

Americanism Day (Pennsylvania)

Amtrak Day

Anxiety Disorders Screening Day

Armour Day (India)

Ayrton Senna Day

Batman Day

Chimney Sweeps Day

Couple Appreciation Day

CSS Reboot Day

Dipping Day

Doctor’s Day (Canada)

Empire State Building Day

EuroMayDay

Executive Coaching Day

501st Legion Day

First Responders Day (Ontario, Canada)

Frequent Flyer Day

Gambrinus’ Teufelstisch (Midnight Feast at the Devil’s Table; Germany)

Garland Dressing (UK)

Global Developmental Delay Awareness Day

Global Love Day

Go Fetch! National Food Drive For Animals

Gujarat/Maharashtra Day (India)

Half-O-Ween

Hobby Horse Parade (a.k.a. ‘Obby ‘Oss; Cornwall, UK)

International Day of the Podenco

International Doodle Dog Day

International Franconi Anemia Day

International Jockstrap Day

International Mesh Awareness Day

International Samoyed Day

International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day

International Victims of Communism Day

International Workers’ Day

Iodized Salt Day

Kallemooi (The Netherlands)

Keep Kids Alive! Drive 25 Awareness Day

Keep Pounding Day

Kevadpuha (Spring Day; Estonia)

Labour Day (Mexico)

Lei Day (Hawaii)

Loyalty Day

Maharashtra Day (Gujarat, Maharashtra; India)

Marvin Gaye Day (Washington, D.C.)

Masonic Awareness Day

Mati-Syra-Zemlya Pregnancy Day (Mati-Syra-Zemlya, Slavic Goddess of the Earth)

May Day (see below)

Mici Day (Romania)

Mother Goose Day

Moving Day (Colonial New York City)

National Black Barber Shop Appreciation Day

National Blessing Day

National Bubba Day

National College Decision Day (a.k.a. College Signing Day)

National Dance Day

National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

National Fitness Day

National Heatstroke Prevention Day

National High Potassium Awareness Day

National Infertility Survival Day

National Love Day (Prague, Czech Republic)

National Mantra Day

National Pole Dance Day (UK)

National Purebred Dog Day

National Show Your Smile Day

National Silver Star Banner Day

National Testing Coordinator’s Day

New Homeowner's Day

’Obby ‘Oss Parade (Padstow, Cornwall, England)

O’Donohugh’s Ghost Day (Ireland)

Pack Rag Day

Patient Empathy Day

Phone in Sick Day

Plant A Flower Day

Play of Saint Evermaar (Belgium)

Repentance Day (Scotland)

Riding of the Bounds (Berwick-upon-Tweed, England)

Rite of Vigyld (Elder Scrolls)

Sainfoin Day (French Republic)

Santacruzan (Philippine Girls' Festival)

Save the Rhino Day

School Principals’ Day

Silver Star Day

Skyscraper Day

Spring Astronomy Day [Saturday at or before 1st Qtr Moon]

Staffordshire Day (UK)

Stepmother’s Day

Take Out the Garbage Day

Tammany’s Day

Teacher’s Day (Jamaica)

Therapeutic Massage Awareness Day

Traditional Fertility Festival

Unity Day (Kazakhstan)

Walpurgis Night (Central & Northern Europe)

White Rabbit Day

World Lyme Day

World Naked Gardening Day

World Push-Up Day

Worthy Wage Day

Zuni Green Corn Dance

Food & Drink Celebrations

Bread Pudding Recipe Exchange Day

Cheerios Day

Chocolate Parfait Day

Exaltation of Ribeiro Wine (Spain)

Louisiana Breakfast Dressing Day

Mild Ale Day

National Kosher Food Day

National Rotate Your Beer Day

National Salad Day

World Sauternes Day

1st Wednesday in May

Book Buddy Day [1st Wednesday]

Great American Grump Out Day [1st Wednesday]

National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day [1st Wednesday]

National Day to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy [1st Wednesday]

National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day (Australia) [1st Wednesday]

National Interpreter Appreciation Day [1st Wednesday]

National (Deaf) Interpreter Day [1st Wednesday]

National Skilled Trades Day [1st Wednesday]

National Travel Advisor Day [1st Wednesday]

Occupational Safety and Health Professionals Day [1st Wednesday]

Project Aces Day (All Children Exercise Simultaneously) [1st Wednesday]

Water Professionals Appreciation Day (Georgia) [1st Wednesday]

World Carnivorous Plant Day [1st Wednesday]

World Maternal Mental Health Day [1st Wednesday]

Weekly Holidays beginning May 1 (1st Week)

Choose Privacy Week (thru 5.7)

International Mariachi Week [thru 5.5]

National Pet Week (thru 5.7) [1st Week]

National Physical Education and Sports Week (thru 5.6) [1st Week]

National Wildflower Week (thru 5.7) [1st Week]

Independence & Related Days

BlueSkies (Declared; 2010) [unrecognized]

Constitution Day (Marshall Islands)

Convocation of the Constitutional Assembly Day (Latvia)

De Witt (Declared; 2020) [unrecognized]

Fellovia (Declared; 2020) [unrecognized]

Gujarat Formation Day (India)

Kingdom of Nána (Declared; 2017) [unrecognized]

Maharashtra Day (India)

Royal reformed States of America (a.k.a. RrSA; Declared; 2009) [unrecognized]

Scotland (from England, 1328)

Union of Scotland and England (Proclaimed; 1707)

Yeblon (Declared; 2021) [unrecognized]

Festivals Beginning May 1, 2024

Armadillo Festival (Hamburg, Arkansas) [thru 5.4]

Cheltenham Jazz Festival (Cheltenham, UK) [thru 5.6]

International Short Film Festival (Oberhausen, Germany) thru 5.6]

Palo de Mayo (Bluefields, Nicaragua) [thru 5.31]

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (Aviemore, Scotland) [thru 5.6]

Feast Days

Acheolus (Christian; Saint)

Acius (Christian; Saint)

Adelsteen Normann (Artology)

Amator, Bishop of Auxerre (Christian; Saint)

Andeolus (Christian; Saint)

Asaph, Bishop of Llanewy, in North Wales (Christian; Saint)

Augustin Schoeffler, Jean-Louis Bonnard (Christian; Part of Vietnamese Martyrs)

Beltane Festival (Celtic Book of Days)

Beltane (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Benedict of Szkalka (Christian; Saint)

Brioc (a.k.a. Briocus of Wales; Christian; Saint)

Calends of May (Ancient Rome)

Catherine the Great Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Efisio (Christian; Saint)

Faint-Hearted Fairies May (or May Not) Ball (Shamanism)

Festa Del Serpari (Procession of the Snake Catchers; Italy)

Festival of the Hare

Floria (Goddess of Flowers; Ancient Rome)

Frederick Sandys (Artology)

George Inness (Artology)

Illuminati Day

Jacqueline Comerre-Paton (Artology)

James the Less (Anglican Communion)

Joseph Heller (Writerism)

Joseph the Worker (Roman Catholic)

Jules Breton (Artology)

Klymentiy Sheptytsky (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

Maia Festival (Ancient Rome; Everyday Wicca)

Marcouf (a.k.a. Marcon, Abbot of Nanteu, in Normandy; Christian; Saint)

Maya Monster (Muppetism)

May Day [1st Day of Summer in Many Traditions] (a.k.a. …

Araw ng Manggagawa (Philippines)

Beltane, Day 2 (Celtic, Pagan) [3 of 8 Festivals of the Natural Year]

Beltane (Northern Hemisphere)

Calan Mai (Wales)

Dag van de arbeid (Suriname)

Darba Svetki (Latvia)

Den na Trudot (Macedonia)

Día Internacional de los Trabajadores (Cuba)

Dia Mundial do Trabalho (Brazil)

Dita Ndërkombëtare e Punës (International Labor Day; Albania, Estonia)

EuroMayDay (EU)

Fiesta del Trabajo (Spain)

Första maj (Sweden)

James the Apostle (Christian; Saint)

Jum il-Haddiem (Malta)

Kevadpüha (Estonia)

Labour Day (everywhere but U.S., Canada & Bermuda)

Law Day (US)

Majdoor Divas (Nepal)

Morning Dew Day (UK)

Praznik Rada (Croatia, Serbia)

Samhain (Southern Hemisphere)

Staatsfeiertag (Austria)

Swieta Panstwowe (Poland)

Vappu (Finland)

Workers’ Day (Ghana)

Ziua Muncii (România)

No Pants Day (Pastafarian)

Peregrine Laziosi (Christian; Saint)

Philip (Positivist; Saint)

Philip the Apostle (Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church)

Race of the Old Men Day (Ancient Greece)

Richard Pampuri (Christian; Saint)

Rodonitsa (Feast to the Ancestors; Asatru/Slavic Pagan)

Romaine Brooks (Artology)

Sigismund of Burgundy (Christian; Saint)

Tamenend (Christian; Saint)

Theodard of Narbonne (Christian; Saint)

Ultan (Christian; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day (Philippines) [24 of 71]

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

Ain’t We Got Fun (WB MM Cartoon; 1937)

Alice’s Wild West Show (Disney Cartoon; 1924)

All the Pretty Horses, by Cormac Mcarthy (Novel; 1992)

Avengers: Age of Ultron (Film; 2015)

Battle for Terra (Animated Film; 2009)

The Bold Eagle (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1969)

Bridge Ahoy (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1936)

Chili Con Corny (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1972)

Citizen Kane (Film; 1941)

Commander Great Guy (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1968)

The Compleat Enchanter, by L. Sprague de Camp (Short Stories; 1940)

Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoevsky (Novel; 1866)

Crime on My Hands or Hickory Dickory Drop (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 46; 1960)

David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens (Novel; 1849)

Desk Set (Film; 1957)

Donald Gets Drafted (Disney Cartoon; 1942)

Dream Walking (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1950)

The Elephant Mouse (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1951)

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, by Neil Young (Album; 1969)

Eye of the Needle, by Ken Follett (Novel; 1978)

Fall Out, by The Police (Song; 1977)

Featherweight Champ (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1953)

Fever, recorded by Little Willie John (1956)

Fool’s Train Ride (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1959)

The Foolish Duckling (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1952)

Foundation, by Isaac Asimov (Short Story; 1942)

Foxed by a Fox (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1955)

Gaston is Here (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1957)

Gaston Goes Home (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1958)

G.I. Pink (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1968)

The Girl from Ipanema, by Antônio Carlos Jobim (Song; 1964)

Give ‘Em the Works or Rocky Around the Clock (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 45; 1960)

The Great Gatsby (Film; 2013)

The Happy Cobblers (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1952)

The Hard Way, 10th Jack Reacher book, by Lee Child (Novel; 2006)

Haunted House Cleaning (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1966)

Hot Pursuit, by Stuart Woods (Novel; 2015)

The Inspector General, by Nikolai Gogol (Play; 1836)

The Itch (Modern Madcaps Cartoon; 1965)

I Walk the Line, by Johnny Cash (Song; 1956)

Johnny Corncob (Animated Hungarian Film; 1973)

The Kitten Sitter (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1949)

Legend, by Bob Marley and the Wailers (Album; 1984)

Les Misérables (Film; 1998)

Little Ol’ Bosko and the Pirates (Happy Harmonies Cartoon; 1936)

Lonesome Road, recorded by Tommy Dorsey (Song; 1939)

The Lords of Flatbush (Film; 1974)

Love is Blind (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1957)

The Marriage of Figaro, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Opera; 1786)

Mary’s Little Lamb (Ub Iwerks ComiColor Cartoon; 1935)

A Merry Chase (Heckle & Jeckle Cartoon; 1950)

The Ministry of Fear, by Graham Greene (Novel; 1943)

Mint Men (Heckle & Jeckle Cartoon; 1960)

Murder on the Links, by Agatha Christie (Mystery Novel; 1923) [3]

Musical Madness (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1951)

My Life as a Dog (Film; 1987)

Mystery in the Moonlight (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1948)

No Exit, by Jean-Paul Sartre (Play; 1944)

No Parking Hare (WB LT Cartoon; 1954)

Nothing But the Tooth (WB MM Cartoon; 1948)

Oceans of Love (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1956)

Off to the Opera (Heckle & Jeckle Cartoon; 1953)

Oscar’s Thinking Cap (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1971)

Peck Your Own Home (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1960)

Phony News Flashes (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1955)

The Pine Barrens, by John McPhee (Novel; 1967)

Playful Puss (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1953)

Plumber’s Helpers (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1953)

Reaper Man, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 1990) [Discworld #11]

Rebel Trouble, featuring Deputy Dawg (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1962)

The Red Swamp (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1969)

The Remains of the Day, by Kazuo Ishiguro (Novel; 1989)

Riverboat Mission (Hector Heathcote Cartoon; 1962)

Roadside Picnic, by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (Novel; 1972)

Rocket Ship Galileo, by Robert A. Heinlein (Novel; 1947)

Rogue Male, by Geoffrey Household (Novel; 1939)

Rolling Stones, featuring Farmer Al Falfa (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1936)

Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard, by Robert Wyatt (Album; 1975)

Quantum Solace, by Ian Fleming (James Bond Short Story; 1959)

Satisfied Customers (Heckle & Jeckle Cartoon; 1954)

The Secret Life of Plants, by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird (Book; 1974)

Short-Term Sheiff (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1964)

Silly Science (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1960)

Small Gods, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 1991) [Discworld #13]

Smoke on the Water, by Deep Purple (Song; 1973)

Snakes & Arrows, by Rush (Album; 2007)

Something in the Air, by Thunderclap Newman (Song; 1969)

Soul Music, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 1994) [Discworld #16]

SpongeBob SquarePants (Animated TV Series; 1999)

The Strange Case of Peter the Lett, by Georges Simeon (Mystery Novel; 1931) [1st Maigret]

Survivor, by Destiny’ Child (Album; 2000)

Sweets from a Stranger, by Squeeze (Album; 1982)

The Tall Tale Teller (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1954)

Tea Party (Hector Heathcote Cartoon; 1963)

Thief of Time, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 2001) [Discworld #26]

Traffic Trouble (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1967)

Tricky Business (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1942)

Tusk, Tusk, featuring Sidney (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1960)

Upload (TV Series; 2020)

Weather Magic (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1965)

The Wee Free Men, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 2003) [Discworld #30]

The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin (Novel; 1978)

White Fang, by Jack London (Novel; 1906)

The Wise Quacking Duck (WB LT Cartoon; 1943)

Woodland, featuring Farmer Al Falfa (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1932)

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Film; 2009)

Today’s Name Days

Josef, Staatsfeiertag (Austria)

Ermen, Ermena, Maya (Bulgaria)

Jeremija, Josip, Prokul, Sigmund (Croatia)

Svátek Práce (Czech Republic)

Jacob, Philip, Valborg (Denmark)

Valba, Valbe, Valli, Volber (Estonia)

Valpuri, Vappu (Finland)

Brieuc, Florine, Jérémie, Tamara (France)

Arnold, Berta, Josef (Germany)

Filosofos, Isidora, Jeremia, Tamara (Greece)

Fülöp, Jakab (Hungary)

Brunella, Efisio, Giuseppe (Italy)

Ziedīte, Ziedone, Ziedonis (Latvia)

Vydmantė, Zigmantas, Zigmas, Žilvinas (Lithuania)

Filip, Valborg (Norway)

Aniela, Filip, Jakub, Jeremi, Jeremiasz, Józef, Lubomir (Poland)

Ieremia (Romania)

Berta, Florinda, Jeremías, José (Spain)

Valborg (Sweden)

Jeremiah, Jeremy, Tamara (Ukraine)

Mae, May, Patience, Sigmund, Sigmunda (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 122 of 2024; 244 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of week 18 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Saille (Willow) [Day 18 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Wu-Chen), Day 23 (Yi-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 23 Nisan 5784

Islamic: 22 Shawwal 1445

J Cal: 2 Magenta; Twosday [2 of 30]

Julian: 18 April 2024

Moon: 50%: 3rd Quarter

Positivist: 10 Caesar (5th Month) [Demosthenes]

Runic Half Month: Lagu (Flowing Water) [Day 7 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 44 of 92)

Week: 1st Week of May

Zodiac: Taurus (Day 12 of 31)

Calendar Changes

May (Gregorian Calendar) [Month 5 of 12]

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 5.1

Holidays

Agriculture Day (Haiti)

Americanism Day (Pennsylvania)

Amtrak Day

Anxiety Disorders Screening Day

Armour Day (India)

Ayrton Senna Day

Batman Day

Chimney Sweeps Day

Couple Appreciation Day

CSS Reboot Day

Dipping Day

Doctor’s Day (Canada)

Empire State Building Day

EuroMayDay

Executive Coaching Day

501st Legion Day

First Responders Day (Ontario, Canada)

Frequent Flyer Day

Gambrinus’ Teufelstisch (Midnight Feast at the Devil’s Table; Germany)

Garland Dressing (UK)

Global Developmental Delay Awareness Day

Global Love Day

Go Fetch! National Food Drive For Animals

Gujarat/Maharashtra Day (India)

Half-O-Ween

Hobby Horse Parade (a.k.a. ‘Obby ‘Oss; Cornwall, UK)

International Day of the Podenco

International Doodle Dog Day

International Franconi Anemia Day

International Jockstrap Day

International Mesh Awareness Day

International Samoyed Day

International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day

International Victims of Communism Day

International Workers’ Day

Iodized Salt Day

Kallemooi (The Netherlands)

Keep Kids Alive! Drive 25 Awareness Day

Keep Pounding Day

Kevadpuha (Spring Day; Estonia)

Labour Day (Mexico)

Lei Day (Hawaii)

Loyalty Day

Maharashtra Day (Gujarat, Maharashtra; India)

Marvin Gaye Day (Washington, D.C.)

Masonic Awareness Day

Mati-Syra-Zemlya Pregnancy Day (Mati-Syra-Zemlya, Slavic Goddess of the Earth)

May Day (see below)

Mici Day (Romania)

Mother Goose Day

Moving Day (Colonial New York City)

National Black Barber Shop Appreciation Day

National Blessing Day

National Bubba Day

National College Decision Day (a.k.a. College Signing Day)

National Dance Day

National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

National Fitness Day

National Heatstroke Prevention Day

National High Potassium Awareness Day

National Infertility Survival Day

National Love Day (Prague, Czech Republic)

National Mantra Day

National Pole Dance Day (UK)

National Purebred Dog Day

National Show Your Smile Day

National Silver Star Banner Day

National Testing Coordinator’s Day

New Homeowner's Day

’Obby ‘Oss Parade (Padstow, Cornwall, England)

O’Donohugh’s Ghost Day (Ireland)

Pack Rag Day

Patient Empathy Day

Phone in Sick Day

Plant A Flower Day

Play of Saint Evermaar (Belgium)

Repentance Day (Scotland)

Riding of the Bounds (Berwick-upon-Tweed, England)

Rite of Vigyld (Elder Scrolls)

Sainfoin Day (French Republic)

Santacruzan (Philippine Girls' Festival)

Save the Rhino Day

School Principals’ Day

Silver Star Day

Skyscraper Day

Spring Astronomy Day [Saturday at or before 1st Qtr Moon]

Staffordshire Day (UK)

Stepmother’s Day

Take Out the Garbage Day

Tammany’s Day

Teacher’s Day (Jamaica)

Therapeutic Massage Awareness Day

Traditional Fertility Festival

Unity Day (Kazakhstan)

Walpurgis Night (Central & Northern Europe)

White Rabbit Day

World Lyme Day

World Naked Gardening Day

World Push-Up Day

Worthy Wage Day

Zuni Green Corn Dance

Food & Drink Celebrations

Bread Pudding Recipe Exchange Day

Cheerios Day

Chocolate Parfait Day

Exaltation of Ribeiro Wine (Spain)

Louisiana Breakfast Dressing Day

Mild Ale Day

National Kosher Food Day

National Rotate Your Beer Day

National Salad Day

World Sauternes Day

1st Wednesday in May

Book Buddy Day [1st Wednesday]

Great American Grump Out Day [1st Wednesday]

National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day [1st Wednesday]

National Day to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy [1st Wednesday]

National Domestic Violence Remembrance Day (Australia) [1st Wednesday]

National Interpreter Appreciation Day [1st Wednesday]

National (Deaf) Interpreter Day [1st Wednesday]

National Skilled Trades Day [1st Wednesday]

National Travel Advisor Day [1st Wednesday]

Occupational Safety and Health Professionals Day [1st Wednesday]

Project Aces Day (All Children Exercise Simultaneously) [1st Wednesday]

Water Professionals Appreciation Day (Georgia) [1st Wednesday]

World Carnivorous Plant Day [1st Wednesday]

World Maternal Mental Health Day [1st Wednesday]

Weekly Holidays beginning May 1 (1st Week)

Choose Privacy Week (thru 5.7)

International Mariachi Week [thru 5.5]

National Pet Week (thru 5.7) [1st Week]

National Physical Education and Sports Week (thru 5.6) [1st Week]

National Wildflower Week (thru 5.7) [1st Week]

Independence & Related Days

BlueSkies (Declared; 2010) [unrecognized]

Constitution Day (Marshall Islands)

Convocation of the Constitutional Assembly Day (Latvia)

De Witt (Declared; 2020) [unrecognized]

Fellovia (Declared; 2020) [unrecognized]

Gujarat Formation Day (India)

Kingdom of Nána (Declared; 2017) [unrecognized]

Maharashtra Day (India)

Royal reformed States of America (a.k.a. RrSA; Declared; 2009) [unrecognized]

Scotland (from England, 1328)

Union of Scotland and England (Proclaimed; 1707)

Yeblon (Declared; 2021) [unrecognized]

Festivals Beginning May 1, 2024

Armadillo Festival (Hamburg, Arkansas) [thru 5.4]

Cheltenham Jazz Festival (Cheltenham, UK) [thru 5.6]

International Short Film Festival (Oberhausen, Germany) thru 5.6]

Palo de Mayo (Bluefields, Nicaragua) [thru 5.31]

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (Aviemore, Scotland) [thru 5.6]

Feast Days

Acheolus (Christian; Saint)

Acius (Christian; Saint)

Adelsteen Normann (Artology)

Amator, Bishop of Auxerre (Christian; Saint)

Andeolus (Christian; Saint)

Asaph, Bishop of Llanewy, in North Wales (Christian; Saint)

Augustin Schoeffler, Jean-Louis Bonnard (Christian; Part of Vietnamese Martyrs)

Beltane Festival (Celtic Book of Days)

Beltane (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Benedict of Szkalka (Christian; Saint)

Brioc (a.k.a. Briocus of Wales; Christian; Saint)

Calends of May (Ancient Rome)

Catherine the Great Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Efisio (Christian; Saint)

Faint-Hearted Fairies May (or May Not) Ball (Shamanism)

Festa Del Serpari (Procession of the Snake Catchers; Italy)

Festival of the Hare

Floria (Goddess of Flowers; Ancient Rome)

Frederick Sandys (Artology)

George Inness (Artology)

Illuminati Day

Jacqueline Comerre-Paton (Artology)

James the Less (Anglican Communion)

Joseph Heller (Writerism)

Joseph the Worker (Roman Catholic)

Jules Breton (Artology)

Klymentiy Sheptytsky (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

Maia Festival (Ancient Rome; Everyday Wicca)

Marcouf (a.k.a. Marcon, Abbot of Nanteu, in Normandy; Christian; Saint)

Maya Monster (Muppetism)

May Day [1st Day of Summer in Many Traditions] (a.k.a. …

Araw ng Manggagawa (Philippines)

Beltane, Day 2 (Celtic, Pagan) [3 of 8 Festivals of the Natural Year]

Beltane (Northern Hemisphere)

Calan Mai (Wales)

Dag van de arbeid (Suriname)

Darba Svetki (Latvia)

Den na Trudot (Macedonia)

Día Internacional de los Trabajadores (Cuba)

Dia Mundial do Trabalho (Brazil)

Dita Ndërkombëtare e Punës (International Labor Day; Albania, Estonia)

EuroMayDay (EU)

Fiesta del Trabajo (Spain)

Första maj (Sweden)

James the Apostle (Christian; Saint)

Jum il-Haddiem (Malta)

Kevadpüha (Estonia)

Labour Day (everywhere but U.S., Canada & Bermuda)

Law Day (US)

Majdoor Divas (Nepal)

Morning Dew Day (UK)

Praznik Rada (Croatia, Serbia)

Samhain (Southern Hemisphere)

Staatsfeiertag (Austria)

Swieta Panstwowe (Poland)

Vappu (Finland)

Workers’ Day (Ghana)

Ziua Muncii (România)

No Pants Day (Pastafarian)

Peregrine Laziosi (Christian; Saint)

Philip (Positivist; Saint)

Philip the Apostle (Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church)

Race of the Old Men Day (Ancient Greece)

Richard Pampuri (Christian; Saint)

Rodonitsa (Feast to the Ancestors; Asatru/Slavic Pagan)

Romaine Brooks (Artology)

Sigismund of Burgundy (Christian; Saint)

Tamenend (Christian; Saint)

Theodard of Narbonne (Christian; Saint)

Ultan (Christian; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day (Philippines) [24 of 71]

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

Ain’t We Got Fun (WB MM Cartoon; 1937)

Alice’s Wild West Show (Disney Cartoon; 1924)

All the Pretty Horses, by Cormac Mcarthy (Novel; 1992)

Avengers: Age of Ultron (Film; 2015)

Battle for Terra (Animated Film; 2009)

The Bold Eagle (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1969)

Bridge Ahoy (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1936)

Chili Con Corny (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1972)

Citizen Kane (Film; 1941)

Commander Great Guy (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1968)

The Compleat Enchanter, by L. Sprague de Camp (Short Stories; 1940)

Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoevsky (Novel; 1866)

Crime on My Hands or Hickory Dickory Drop (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 46; 1960)

David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens (Novel; 1849)

Desk Set (Film; 1957)

Donald Gets Drafted (Disney Cartoon; 1942)

Dream Walking (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1950)

The Elephant Mouse (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1951)

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, by Neil Young (Album; 1969)

Eye of the Needle, by Ken Follett (Novel; 1978)

Fall Out, by The Police (Song; 1977)

Featherweight Champ (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1953)

Fever, recorded by Little Willie John (1956)

Fool’s Train Ride (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1959)

The Foolish Duckling (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1952)

Foundation, by Isaac Asimov (Short Story; 1942)

Foxed by a Fox (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1955)

Gaston is Here (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1957)

Gaston Goes Home (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1958)

G.I. Pink (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1968)

The Girl from Ipanema, by Antônio Carlos Jobim (Song; 1964)

Give ‘Em the Works or Rocky Around the Clock (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 45; 1960)

The Great Gatsby (Film; 2013)

The Happy Cobblers (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1952)

The Hard Way, 10th Jack Reacher book, by Lee Child (Novel; 2006)

Haunted House Cleaning (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1966)

Hot Pursuit, by Stuart Woods (Novel; 2015)

The Inspector General, by Nikolai Gogol (Play; 1836)

The Itch (Modern Madcaps Cartoon; 1965)

I Walk the Line, by Johnny Cash (Song; 1956)

Johnny Corncob (Animated Hungarian Film; 1973)

The Kitten Sitter (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1949)

Legend, by Bob Marley and the Wailers (Album; 1984)

Les Misérables (Film; 1998)

Little Ol’ Bosko and the Pirates (Happy Harmonies Cartoon; 1936)

Lonesome Road, recorded by Tommy Dorsey (Song; 1939)

The Lords of Flatbush (Film; 1974)

Love is Blind (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1957)

The Marriage of Figaro, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Opera; 1786)

Mary’s Little Lamb (Ub Iwerks ComiColor Cartoon; 1935)

A Merry Chase (Heckle & Jeckle Cartoon; 1950)

The Ministry of Fear, by Graham Greene (Novel; 1943)

Mint Men (Heckle & Jeckle Cartoon; 1960)

Murder on the Links, by Agatha Christie (Mystery Novel; 1923) [3]

Musical Madness (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1951)

My Life as a Dog (Film; 1987)

Mystery in the Moonlight (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1948)

No Exit, by Jean-Paul Sartre (Play; 1944)

No Parking Hare (WB LT Cartoon; 1954)

Nothing But the Tooth (WB MM Cartoon; 1948)

Oceans of Love (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1956)

Off to the Opera (Heckle & Jeckle Cartoon; 1953)

Oscar’s Thinking Cap (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1971)

Peck Your Own Home (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1960)

Phony News Flashes (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1955)

The Pine Barrens, by John McPhee (Novel; 1967)

Playful Puss (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1953)

Plumber’s Helpers (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1953)

Reaper Man, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 1990) [Discworld #11]

Rebel Trouble, featuring Deputy Dawg (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1962)

The Red Swamp (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1969)

The Remains of the Day, by Kazuo Ishiguro (Novel; 1989)

Riverboat Mission (Hector Heathcote Cartoon; 1962)

Roadside Picnic, by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (Novel; 1972)

Rocket Ship Galileo, by Robert A. Heinlein (Novel; 1947)

Rogue Male, by Geoffrey Household (Novel; 1939)

Rolling Stones, featuring Farmer Al Falfa (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1936)

Ruth Is Stranger Than Richard, by Robert Wyatt (Album; 1975)

Quantum Solace, by Ian Fleming (James Bond Short Story; 1959)

Satisfied Customers (Heckle & Jeckle Cartoon; 1954)

The Secret Life of Plants, by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird (Book; 1974)

Short-Term Sheiff (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1964)

Silly Science (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1960)

Small Gods, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 1991) [Discworld #13]

Smoke on the Water, by Deep Purple (Song; 1973)

Snakes & Arrows, by Rush (Album; 2007)

Something in the Air, by Thunderclap Newman (Song; 1969)

Soul Music, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 1994) [Discworld #16]

SpongeBob SquarePants (Animated TV Series; 1999)

The Strange Case of Peter the Lett, by Georges Simeon (Mystery Novel; 1931) [1st Maigret]

Survivor, by Destiny’ Child (Album; 2000)

Sweets from a Stranger, by Squeeze (Album; 1982)

The Tall Tale Teller (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1954)

Tea Party (Hector Heathcote Cartoon; 1963)

Thief of Time, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 2001) [Discworld #26]

Traffic Trouble (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1967)

Tricky Business (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1942)

Tusk, Tusk, featuring Sidney (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1960)

Upload (TV Series; 2020)

Weather Magic (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1965)

The Wee Free Men, by Terry Pratchet (Novel; 2003) [Discworld #30]

The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin (Novel; 1978)

White Fang, by Jack London (Novel; 1906)

The Wise Quacking Duck (WB LT Cartoon; 1943)

Woodland, featuring Farmer Al Falfa (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1932)

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Film; 2009)

Today’s Name Days

Josef, Staatsfeiertag (Austria)

Ermen, Ermena, Maya (Bulgaria)

Jeremija, Josip, Prokul, Sigmund (Croatia)

Svátek Práce (Czech Republic)

Jacob, Philip, Valborg (Denmark)

Valba, Valbe, Valli, Volber (Estonia)

Valpuri, Vappu (Finland)

Brieuc, Florine, Jérémie, Tamara (France)

Arnold, Berta, Josef (Germany)

Filosofos, Isidora, Jeremia, Tamara (Greece)

Fülöp, Jakab (Hungary)

Brunella, Efisio, Giuseppe (Italy)

Ziedīte, Ziedone, Ziedonis (Latvia)

Vydmantė, Zigmantas, Zigmas, Žilvinas (Lithuania)

Filip, Valborg (Norway)

Aniela, Filip, Jakub, Jeremi, Jeremiasz, Józef, Lubomir (Poland)

Ieremia (Romania)

Berta, Florinda, Jeremías, José (Spain)

Valborg (Sweden)

Jeremiah, Jeremy, Tamara (Ukraine)

Mae, May, Patience, Sigmund, Sigmunda (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 122 of 2024; 244 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of week 18 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Saille (Willow) [Day 18 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Wu-Chen), Day 23 (Yi-Chou)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 23 Nisan 5784

Islamic: 22 Shawwal 1445

J Cal: 2 Magenta; Twosday [2 of 30]

Julian: 18 April 2024

Moon: 50%: 3rd Quarter

Positivist: 10 Caesar (5th Month) [Demosthenes]

Runic Half Month: Lagu (Flowing Water) [Day 7 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 44 of 92)

Week: 1st Week of May

Zodiac: Taurus (Day 12 of 31)

Calendar Changes

May (Gregorian Calendar) [Month 5 of 12]

[zponds]

What-If: American Railroads — Section 3: Named Passenger Trains and Streamliners

With the 20 American railroads still around and Amtrak not being a thing in my alternative history on American railroads, that means that the 20 railroads will still own and operate passenger services and streamliners, and some will operate some passenger trains and passenger train route legs from the smaller railroads absorbed by the bigger ones. And the names of the passenger trains and streamliners are below.

A. New York Central

20th Century Limited

Empire State Express

Pacemaker Express

The Mercury

Berkshire Hills Express

Southwestern Limited (NYCS train)

Twilight Limited

The Colonial

Bar Harbor Express

Cape Codder

Comet

East Wind

Dan’l Webster

Flying Yankee

Ohio State Limited

B. Pennsylvania Railroad

Broadway Limited

Liberty Limited

Trail Blazer Express

Federal Express

Congressional Limited

Maple Leaf

Black Diamond

Asa Packer

Crusader

The Admiral

Cincinnati Limited

The Keystone

Birmingham Special (PRR side)

Southland (PRR side)

Spirit of St. Louis

C. Chesapeake and Ohio

George Washington

Fast Flying Virginian

Sportsman

Pere Marquette

The Chessie

Atlantic Express

Pacific Express

Erie Limited

Lake Cities

Phoebe Snow

D. Baltimore and Ohio

Cincinnatian

Capitol Limited

National Limited

Blue Bird

Wabash Cannon Ball

City of St. Louis

Columbian

Royal Blue

E. Union Pacific

Challenger (UP side)

City of Denver

City of Portland

City of San Francisco

City of Los Angeles

Overland Limited (UP side)

Exposition Flyer (UP side)

Forty-Niner Express

Butte Special

City of Las Vegas

Los Angeles Limited

F. Chicago and Northwestern

The 400’s — Twin Cities 400, Dakota 400. Flambeau 400, Kate Shelley 400, Minnesota 400, Peninsula 400, Rochester 400, Shoreland 400 and Capital 400

City of San Francisco

City of Los Angeles

Overland Limited (CNW side)

G. Milwaukee Road

The Hiawathas — Twin Cities Hiawatha, Midwest Hiawatha, North Woods Hiawatha, Chippewa Hiawatha and Olympian Hiawatha

City of Denver

City of Portland

Pioneer limited

Challenger (MILW side)

Varity

H. Burlington Route

The Zephyrs — Twin Cities Zephyr, Pioneer Zephyr, Texas Zephyr, Nebraska Zephyr, Mark Twain Zephyr, Denver Zephyr, Kansas City Zephyr, Silver Streak Zephyr, American Royal Zephyr and General Pershing Zephyr

Zephyr Rocket (CB&Q side)

Sam Houston Zephyr (CB&Q side)

Black Hawk

California Zephyr (CB&Q side)

New Orleans Zephyr

I. Missouri Pacific

Colorado Eagle

Texas Eagle

Valley Eagle

Sunshine Special

Firefly

Meteor

J. Northern Pacific

North Coast Limited

Mainstreeter

Coast Pool Train

Great Western Limited

Omaha Express

Mills Cities Limited

K. Great Northern

Empire Builder

Cascadian

Oriental Limited

Red River Limited

Western Star

Winnipeg Limited

L. Norfolk and Western

Pocahontas

Powhatan Arrow

Tennessean (N&W side)

The Cavalier

Birmingham Special (N&W side)

M. Southern Pacific

Coast Daylight

City of San Francisco

Sacramento Daylight

Shasta Daylight

Sunbeam

Golden State (SP side)

Challenger (SP side)

Argonaut

Sunset Limited (SP side)

Overland Limited (SP side)

N. Santa Fe

Chief

Super Chief

San Francisco Chief

El Capitan

San Diegan

Texas Chief

West Texas Express

Chicagoan

Kansas Cityan

Grand Canyon Limited

O. Illinois Central

City of Miami (IC side)

Panama Limited

Green Diamond

Land O’Corn

Seminole Limited (IC side)

Southwestern Limited (IC train)

Lone Star

Morning Star

P. Gulf Mobile and Ohio

Gulf Coast Rebel

Gulf Coast Special

Alton Limited

Rebel

Midnight Special

Q. Rock Island

The Rockets — Choctaw Rocket, Des Moines Rocket, Quad Cities Rocket, Rock Island Rocket, Twin Star Rocket, Golden Rocket and Rocky Mountain Rocket

Sam Houston Zephyr (CRIP side)

Zephyr Rocket (CRIP side)

Golden State (CRIP side)

R. Southern Railway (USA)

Tennessean (SOU side)

Southener

City of Memphis

Birmingham Special (SOU side)

Carolina Special

Royal Palm

Piedmont Limited

Ponce de Leon

S. Seaboard Air Line

Silver Comet

Silver Meteor

Gulf Wind

Orange Blossom Special

Man O’War

Nancy Hanks (II)

City of Miami (SAL side)

Sunset Limited (SAL side)

T. Atlantic Coast Line

Champion

Florida Special

Palmetto (ACL side)

Dixie Flagler

South Wind (ACL side)

Southland (ACL side)

[amtrak-official]

Round 1, poll 16

This one will just be a blow out

[bowling-with-ham]

starlight express s/i

Name: Silver “Sylvester” Sky

AKA: the Bar Car

Engine or coach: Coach

Passenger or freight: Passenger

Inspiration: a Superliner II Observation or “Sightseer” lounge car, Bombardier manufactured. These cars were two-level with a wet bar and lounge and large observational windows on the upper floor, and an electric piano and café on the lower floor. (Silver Sky is an actual name of an original California Zephyr dome-top observation car.)

Company: Amtrak

Line: Runs the California Zephyr (Chicago to San Francisco by way of Denver) and Coast Starlight (LA to Seattle) lines.

Characterization: Sylvester embodies a Midcentury or Jazz Age bartender, endlessly sanguine, mellow, entertaining, a good listener. He is a relic of a dying age of passenger train travel and he knows it. He has chosen to think of himself as the last bastion of the 20th century and party like every night is New Year’s Eve at the end of the world, since any day he might be taken out of commission because faster trains mean the train is no longer seen as an experience in and of itself and lounge cars like him are being replaced left and right. Allegorically, he’s a bartender, lounge singer, and piano player, and his signature drink is the Silver, a prohibition-era gin and vermouth cocktail. He’s usually tipsy himself and is sometimes derisively referred to as the ‘drinking car.’ Utterly neutral on racing. Most everyone comes to him to talk, so he knows a lot about everyone. Yet nobody knows almost anything about him. He’d say there’s nothing to know, besides what you see before you.

Headcanon/voiceclaim song: “Diamond Light Boogie” by the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies. “This century is ending / It's your last chance to dance to rock 'n' roll! / Diamond Light - turn on, turn on your light / Diamond Light Boogie is sparklin' bright / Shine on, shine your light / Sunglass Sam kept you up all night / Oh yeah, that's right / Bubblegum girls wear their pants too tight / Oh yeah! Let's go! / Let the 21st century roll!”

Associated genres: rock and roll, swing, 90s swing revival, jazz, lounge, space age pop, and electro swing.

Palette and design: Starlight silver and midnight blue with stars, 60s space age/jet set/atomic age elements, art deco pinstripes and wings (resembling the amtrak logo), glitter, and a jaunty cap somewhere between a fedora and a train attendant hat. On top of the usual StEx train costume, his outfit details evoke a 1920s-1940s bartender, a classic train conductor, and for some reason the god Hermes. Also disco balls. Distinctly musical energy. General vibe of a psychopomp and portent of the end times, but carefree about it. Would have silver face paint as part of the costume.

I’ll update this if I get around to drawing him! I’m just really pleased to be able to cram 1) the train lines I’m autistic about 2) the music I’m autistic about 3) the alcoholic tendencies I try not to worry about and 4) myself into one character. I love the vibes on this guy I’m not even gonna lie

[trainingtofreedom]

December 27, 2023 - Orlando, FL

I can't describe the feeling of leaving home for good. I'd left for college; I'd moved houses; I'd taken vacations; I've traveled with nothing but my car, twice. None of it compared to December 27.

I had two big suitcases, one small suitcase, one backpack, one briefcase. Amtrak said, "Four bags and one carry-on" and I took it seriously. I called an Uber to take me to the Bus Terminal, because the rail system runs through it. Waiting for the Uber was almost painful; I could look back and see where I was living, but I wouldn't ever see that house again.

That was the echo in my head: I'll never see that house again. I won't be going back.

It was almost dark when we got to the bus station, and I rolled myself through the building, out the back, across four lanes of bus traffic, around to the train station. Across two set of tracks, so that I was on the Northbound side.

I could barely carry it all; I recognized that mistake in the bus station, but it was too late to leave anything behind. I didn't know what wasn't important, either; in my mind, every item in every bag was important. So I carried 100+lbs of everything, and I watched the commuter rail go by, thankful that I'd be checking my bags when Amtrak arrived.

I went to the bus teller when I arrived, and asked them about the train. "Train tickets are only purchased at the kiosk. There's a attendant at the track to help you." She had nothing else to tell me. "There's supposed to be an attendant, anyway." She clarified. After I rolled myself to the tracks, I didn't see any attendant. Plus I didn't know what to ask him.

Just a weird guy floating around at the handicap ramp. He didn't look like a train attendant.

The commuter rail rolled by, and that weird guy calls over to me, "Hey, are you taking the train?" I answered him, "Yeah, the big silver one, the Amtrak." He replied, "The Amtrak doesn't come here. It goes to Orlando Health. Also, you can't sit there."

There's a dawning of fear in my mind, now: I'm at the wrong station. I can't walk anywhere, I have too much stuff. How the hell am I going to catch my train in 20 minutes? I was supposed to be heading to Raleigh on the Silver Service. The attendant couldn't help, how would I get there?!?

I caught my breath, but the panic still bounced around in my brain. Call an uber. I called an uber, and tried to drop a pin at my spot on the sidewalk; I couldn't find a good landmark. The first uber says, "I can't drive into the bus station." No, not the bus station, I'm along a downtown city street next to the train tracks. I have twenty minutes to get across town.

That uber cancels. I have 15 minutes.

The next one gets there, and thankfully is clean, comfortable, and prepared. I sent my destination as "Amtrak Station," so now there's no question. I'm watching the tracks the whole drive, praying the train wouldn't beat me to the station. What would I do if I missed it? Sleep in the empty house, I guess.

The Amtrak station is obvious, thank goodness. Big sign on the building, lots of cars and people, nothing related to the commuter rail. (Commuter rail drops off on the same track, about 50m south; I could see it from here.) It didn't matter which side of the tracks anymore: everybody waits on this side.

Checking my bags at the station, I had to walk them back to the cargo area. No one was at the teller. It was an unguided experience, I just got lucky that I met one of the Red Caps at the back. "Where are you heading?"

"Raleigh...well, Charlotte." I answered. They seemed confused, so they asked for my ticket. I showed them I had two tickets: Raleigh, then Charlotte five hours later. "Why is he going to Raleigh instead of Cary?" he wondered aloud. His partner replied, "Must have been a capacity thing."

I remember a few other things he said. "Why isn't there anyone up at the teller? You're not supposed to be staring at your phone!" "Keep the claim tickets." "You don't need them in Raleigh, just Charlotte." He checked my bags to Charlotte, though they would change trains in Cary, NC, even though I went to Raleigh first instead.

(Train stuff: Amtrak's Silver Star usually drops off people in NC at Cary, because it's one stop sooner and has more exchanges, like the Crescent. Raleigh is, uniquely, in between the two Silver-Service routes, and only on the Silver Star route. The only people that ride it to Raleigh are people -specifically- going to Raleigh.)

I still have my backpack and briefcase with me, and I've NEVER left from this station before. There's probably a hundred people here, almost all coach, almost all as confused as I was. Many college kids, many people going many different places. Only a few outdoor benches, and we were all told to line up at the lettered column. I leaned on the bench to help my injured back, and waited amongst the confused throngs.

Boarding was straightforward: they asked where you're going, and they told you which way to go once you got up the stairs. No one checks tickets, even though it's on my phone and ready. Just "Go in to the right, find a seat." I was on the long-distance car, the one that goes past Cary, NC. People were going to NYC, PHL, and all sorts of far-flung stops. No assigned seats, so you just do your best. I found two seats alone (a rare treat), and slumped down.

The train is ROLLING, and they still haven't checked my ticket. This is weird if you're used to planes, where you've been identity-verified and boarding-passed three times before you reach the door. On Amtrak, they don't do any more than count bodies. You're halfway to the next stop before anyone verifies your ticket, and no one ever checks your ID.

Reiterating: You will board the train, and no one checks your ticket or ID. They will never check your ID.

Finally, a conductor comes through and checks the ticket. He writes my three-letter destination on a card, and sticks it on the rail above my seat. Reminds me that my adjacent seat won't remain empty: "This is a FULL TRAIN, there will be no empty seats!"

It's 9pm, I'm exhausted, the train is rolling. I fall asleep to "No empty Seats!" and the sound of the Amtrak train horn, which blows at every single road crossing. All night, toot toooooooooooooot.

Twelve hours to go, then I'll be in Raleigh. Nothing to do but sit and sleep on the dark windows...

[petersfay]

New York to Washington DC in 3.5 hours on the Silver Star line. #amtrak #traintravel #onlywaytogo https://www.instagram.com/p/CnfPDXVvEYU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=