### Amtrak's New Long-Haul Train Route Sparks Mixed Reactions

Amtrak's recent announcement of a new temporary train route, dubbed "The Floridian," has ignited varied reactions across social media. The service, detailed in a post that has since amassed 12 million views, merges two famous routes—the Capitol Limited and the Silver Star—to offer a traditional dining experience throughout its journey.

According to a map released by Amtrak, The Floridian will start in Chicago, travel to Washington, D.C., and then head south to Miami, Florida. The train will make one round-trip per day and will utilize Amtrak's "Viewliner" cars, making stops in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa along the way.

Amtrak's Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Eliot Hamlisch, praised the new route as an "exceptional and sustainable journey" that provides travelers with outstanding amenities and traditional dining options.

Historically, passengers traveling on the Capitol Limited route from Washington, D.C., to Chicago had to settle for flexible dining options which were available only to first-class private room passengers. The Floridian aims to upgrade this experience, offering traditional dining for the entire journey.

This initiative is part of Amtrak's strategy to maintain passenger movement during the East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project, a significant endeavor aimed at repairing the damages from Superstorm Sandy. The project will modernize the tunnel infrastructure, enhancing safety, reliability, and security.

Jim Mathews, President and CEO of the Rail Passengers Association, lauded The Floridian as a creative solution to ensure uninterrupted travel during the tunnel repairs. The route revives a Chicago-to-Florida connection formerly operated by Amtrak from 1971 until 1979, also named "The Floridian."

While some train enthusiasts are thrilled about the return of this iconic route, critics on social media have pointed out several potential drawbacks. For instance, the journey from Chicago to Miami is expected to take 46 hours and 29 minutes—a duration seen as impractical by many. Additionally, the fare prices vary significantly, with a one-way coach ticket costing $466 on the first day of service and dropping to $113 two days later.

Opinions are split online, with some arguing the train's long duration and high costs make it less appealing than flying. "Midwest vs. Everybody," an X account, mentioned that many Midwesterners might still prefer driving the 20-hour journey instead. Others echoed similar sentiments regarding the impracticality of such a lengthy and costly ordeal.

However, a few users were optimistic, noting that train travel offers a more relaxed experience compared to flying. One user remarked, "Ya know, it still sounds more pleasant than dealing with flying though," while another suggested it could be a pleasant trip to take leisurely over a week or so.

Amtrak's representative declined to specify an end date for this temporary service, leaving open the possibility for this route to run until the completion of the East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project.