Palmetto (Amtrak)
Encyclopedia
The Palmetto is a passenger train service operated by Amtrak
over the 829 miles (1,334.1 km) from New York City
south to Savannah, Georgia
via the Northeast Corridor
to Washington, DC, then via Richmond, Virginia
, Fayetteville, North Carolina
and Charleston, South Carolina
. The Palmetto is a shorter version of the Silver Meteor
, which continues south to Miami, Florida
.
During fiscal year 2010, the Palmetto carried a total of 189,468 passengers, an increase of 10.6% from FY 2009's total of 171,316 passengers. The train had a total revenue of $15,365,992 during FY 2010, a 23.1% increase from FY 2009's total of $12,479,621.
, the state tree of South Carolina. The name Palmetto Limited had also been used by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
for a New York—St. Petersburg
train which first ran in December 1909. The Palmetto was the first train in the Southern United States to receive the then-new Amfleet
equipment, and the 828 miles (1,332.5 km) run was the longest at the time for the new coaches. At the time of introduction Amtrak planned to run the Palmetto daily for the summer only, with service ending September 8. In August Amtrak extended the Palmetto indefinitely, citing better-than-expected ridership. In October 1976 the Florida Department of Transportation urged Amtrak to extend the Palmetto south to Miami, Florida
.
Between October 1984 and September 1985 the Palmetto ran combined with the Carolinian
between New York and Richmond, Virginia
. At Richmond the Carolinian continued separately to Raleigh
and Charlotte, North Carolina
. The Carolinian was discontinued after the state of North Carolina withdrew its support for the train.
In December 1988 Amtrak extended the Palmetto south to Jacksonville, Florida
. The train continued to be coach-only, without full dining service. Beginning on May 12, 1990 the Palmetto again combined with a revived Carolinian, although this time the split occurred in Rocky Mount, North Carolina
. The two trains began running independently in April 1991. In October 1994 the Palmetto became a full overnight train with sleeper and dining car service, running through to Tampa, Florida
. This replaced the Silver Meteor's Tampa section. This extension was short-lived: budget cuts under the Clinton Administration led to the Palmetto's discontinuance on February 1, 1995.
From the late 90s to late 2002, the Palmetto was known as the Silver Palm
(part of the Silver Service
brand). Until November 1, 2004 the Palmetto continued south to Jacksonville, Florida
with the Silver Meteor
and Silver Star, but turned west at Jacksonville to Baldwin and then ran south via Ocala to Coleman on the old Seaboard Air Line Railroad
main line. From Coleman it continued southwest to Lakeland, then west to Tampa, reversing direction to Auburndale and running south to Miami. In 1988, the segment between Coleman and Auburndale was abandoned and the Palmetto was run through Dade City. Part of the former SAL line is now the General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
between Mabel and Polk City. With the truncation to Savannah, the Silver Star was rerouted to service Tampa; the old Jacksonville-Lakeland route is now served by a Thruway Motorcoach bus transfer from the Silver Star, which serves all the former stations as well as Gainesville.
In the January 2011 issue of Trains Magazine, this route was listed as one of five routes to be looked at by Amtrak in FY 2011 as the previous five routes (Sunset, Eagle, Zephyr, Capitol, and Cardinal) were examined in FY 2010.
and Kingstree, South Carolina
. Kingstree sees the Silver Meteor as well. The Palmetto added Selma, North Carolina
(Smithfield) in October 1982.
trackage:
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Maryland
District of Columbia
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
passenger cars.
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
over the 829 miles (1,334.1 km) from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
south to Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
via the Northeast Corridor
Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
to Washington, DC, then via Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville is a city located in Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States. It is the county seat of Cumberland County, and is best known as the home of Fort Bragg, a U.S. Army post located northwest of the city....
and Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
. The Palmetto is a shorter version of the Silver Meteor
Silver Meteor
The Silver Meteor is a 1389-mile passenger train route operated by Amtrak in the Silver Service brand, running from New York City, New York, south to Miami, Florida, via the Northeast Corridor to Washington, D.C., thence via Richmond, Virginia; Fayetteville, North Carolina; North Charleston, South...
, which continues south to Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
.
During fiscal year 2010, the Palmetto carried a total of 189,468 passengers, an increase of 10.6% from FY 2009's total of 171,316 passengers. The train had a total revenue of $15,365,992 during FY 2010, a 23.1% increase from FY 2009's total of $12,479,621.
History
Amtrak introduced the Palmetto on June 15, 1976. The train drew its name from the Sabal palmettoSabal palmetto
Sabal palmetto, also known as cabbage palm, palmetto, cabbage palmetto, palmetto palm, blue palmetto, Carolina palmetto, common palmetto, swamp cabbage and sabal palm, is one of 15 species of palmetto palm . It is native to the southeastern United States, Cuba, and the Bahamas...
, the state tree of South Carolina. The name Palmetto Limited had also been used by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad was an American railroad that existed between 1900 and 1967, when it merged with the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, its long-time rival, to form the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad...
for a New York—St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
train which first ran in December 1909. The Palmetto was the first train in the Southern United States to receive the then-new Amfleet
Amfleet
Amfleet is a series of intercity railroad passenger cars built for the operator Amtrak by the manufacturer Budd Company in two series during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Today, Amfleet cars are used extensively throughout the Amtrak system outside the western United States...
equipment, and the 828 miles (1,332.5 km) run was the longest at the time for the new coaches. At the time of introduction Amtrak planned to run the Palmetto daily for the summer only, with service ending September 8. In August Amtrak extended the Palmetto indefinitely, citing better-than-expected ridership. In October 1976 the Florida Department of Transportation urged Amtrak to extend the Palmetto south to Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
.
Between October 1984 and September 1985 the Palmetto ran combined with the Carolinian
Carolinian (train)
The Carolinian is a daily passenger train that runs between Charlotte, North Carolina and New York City. The northbound train 80 departs Charlotte station at 7:40am with intermediate North Carolina stops at Kannapolis, Salisbury, High Point, Greensboro, Burlington, Durham, Cary, Raleigh, Selma,...
between New York and Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. At Richmond the Carolinian continued separately to Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
and Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. The Carolinian was discontinued after the state of North Carolina withdrew its support for the train.
In December 1988 Amtrak extended the Palmetto south to Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
. The train continued to be coach-only, without full dining service. Beginning on May 12, 1990 the Palmetto again combined with a revived Carolinian, although this time the split occurred in Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Rocky Mount is an All-America City Award-winning city in Edgecombe and Nash counties in the coastal plains of the state of North Carolina. Although it was not formally incorporated until February 28, 1867, the North Carolina community that became the city of Rocky Mount dates from the beginning of...
. The two trains began running independently in April 1991. In October 1994 the Palmetto became a full overnight train with sleeper and dining car service, running through to Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
. This replaced the Silver Meteor's Tampa section. This extension was short-lived: budget cuts under the Clinton Administration led to the Palmetto's discontinuance on February 1, 1995.
From the late 90s to late 2002, the Palmetto was known as the Silver Palm
Silver Palm (Amtrak)
The Silver Palm was the name of two former passenger trains operated by Amtrak serving the U.S. state of Florida.- History :Amtrak introduced the first Silver Palm as a single round trip service between Miami, Florida and Tampa, Florida on November 20, 1982. The train was subsidized by the Florida...
(part of the Silver Service
Silver Service
The Silver Service is a brand currently applied by Amtrak to two of its East Coast long-distance passenger trains operating between New York City and Miami:*Silver Meteor*Silver Star...
brand). Until November 1, 2004 the Palmetto continued south to Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
with the Silver Meteor
Silver Meteor
The Silver Meteor is a 1389-mile passenger train route operated by Amtrak in the Silver Service brand, running from New York City, New York, south to Miami, Florida, via the Northeast Corridor to Washington, D.C., thence via Richmond, Virginia; Fayetteville, North Carolina; North Charleston, South...
and Silver Star, but turned west at Jacksonville to Baldwin and then ran south via Ocala to Coleman on the old Seaboard Air Line Railroad
Seaboard Air Line Railroad
The Seaboard Air Line Railroad , which styled itself "The Route of Courteous Service," was an American railroad whose corporate existence extended from April 14, 1900, until July 1, 1967, when it merged with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, its longtime rival, to form the Seaboard Coast Line...
main line. From Coleman it continued southwest to Lakeland, then west to Tampa, reversing direction to Auburndale and running south to Miami. In 1988, the segment between Coleman and Auburndale was abandoned and the Palmetto was run through Dade City. Part of the former SAL line is now the General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
General James A. Van Fleet State Trail is a rail trail in Florida, named after General James A. Van Fleet, who was a distinguished combat commander in both World Wars and the Korean War....
between Mabel and Polk City. With the truncation to Savannah, the Silver Star was rerouted to service Tampa; the old Jacksonville-Lakeland route is now served by a Thruway Motorcoach bus transfer from the Silver Star, which serves all the former stations as well as Gainesville.
In the January 2011 issue of Trains Magazine, this route was listed as one of five routes to be looked at by Amtrak in FY 2011 as the previous five routes (Sunset, Eagle, Zephyr, Capitol, and Cardinal) were examined in FY 2010.
Route
The Palmetto's route has not changed significantly since it first ran in 1976. It parallels the Florida-bound Silver Meteor, making additional station stops. When introduced in 1976 it included two new stations: DillonDillon (Amtrak station)
The Dillon Amtrak station is a train station in Dillon, South Carolina, United States served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system. It was originally built by the Florence Railroad in 1893, but only as a freight station. Once the railroad was consolidated into the Atlantic Coast Line...
and Kingstree, South Carolina
Kingstree (Amtrak station)
The Kingstree Amtrak station is a train station in Kingstree, South Carolina, United States served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system. It was originally built by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in 1909, and is currently part of the Kingstree Historic District.The two tracks at...
. Kingstree sees the Silver Meteor as well. The Palmetto added Selma, North Carolina
Selma-Smithfield (Amtrak station)
The Selma–Smithfield Amtrak Station, located in Selma, North Carolina, was previously known as the Selma Union Depot and is served by two Amtrak passenger trains, the Palmetto and Carolinian. The street address is 500 East Railroad Street, and is located in the heart of historic downtown Selma...
(Smithfield) in October 1982.
Details
The Palmetto operates over Amtrak and CSX TransportationCSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
trackage:
- Amtrak Northeast CorridorNortheast CorridorThe Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
, New York to Washington - CSX RF&P Subdivision, Richmond Terminal Subdivision, North End Subdivision, South End Subdivision, Charleston Subdivision, and Savannah Subdivision, Washington to Savannah
Station stops
The Palmetto, trains 89 southbound and 90 northbound, makes the following station stops:New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
- New York
New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
- Newark
- TrentonTrenton Rail Station (New Jersey)Trenton Transit Center, formerly known as Trenton Rail Station, is the main passenger train station in Trenton, New Jersey. It is the southernmost stop in New Jersey on the Northeast Corridor...
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
- Philadelphia30th Street Station30th Street Station is the main railroad station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and one of the five stations in SEPTA's Center City fare zone. It is also a major stop on Amtrak's Northeast and Keystone Corridors...
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
- Wilmington
Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
- Baltimore
District of Columbia
- Washington Union Station
Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
- Alexandria
- Richmond Staples Mill RoadRichmond Staples Mill Road (Amtrak station)The Richmond Staples Mill Road Amtrak station lies about 5 miles north of downtown Richmond, Virginia, located in Henrico County. The station designed by David Volkert and Associates, and was built in 1975 as a replacement for Main Street Station, which had sustained damage from floods....
- PetersburgPetersburg (Amtrak station)The Petersburg is located at 3516 South Street in the Ettrick area of Chesterfield County, Virginia . The station was built in 1955 by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and is located next to a former station....
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
- Rocky MountRocky Mount (Amtrak station)The Rocky Mount Amtrak Station, located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, is served by four passenger trains, the Carolinian, Silver Meteor, Silver Star and Palmetto. The station is located just south of downtown Rocky Mount, and the street address is 101 Hammond Street. It was named for Helen P...
- WilsonWilson (Amtrak station)The Wilson Amtrak Station, located in Wilson, North Carolina, is served by two passenger trains, the Palmetto and Carolinian. The street address is 401 East Nash Street, and is located in the heart of historic downtown Wilson....
- Selma-SmithfieldSelma-Smithfield (Amtrak station)The Selma–Smithfield Amtrak Station, located in Selma, North Carolina, was previously known as the Selma Union Depot and is served by two Amtrak passenger trains, the Palmetto and Carolinian. The street address is 500 East Railroad Street, and is located in the heart of historic downtown Selma...
- FayettevilleFayetteville (Amtrak station)The Fayetteville Amtrak Station, located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is served by the passenger train. The street address is 472 Hay Street, and is located in the heart of historic downtown Fayetteville....
South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
- DillonDillon (Amtrak station)The Dillon Amtrak station is a train station in Dillon, South Carolina, United States served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system. It was originally built by the Florence Railroad in 1893, but only as a freight station. Once the railroad was consolidated into the Atlantic Coast Line...
- FlorenceFlorence (Amtrak station)The Florence Amtrak station is a train station in Florence, South Carolina, United States served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system. Florence is served by Amtrak's Palmetto and Silver Meteor routes and is a service stop for the Auto Train...
- KingstreeKingstree (Amtrak station)The Kingstree Amtrak station is a train station in Kingstree, South Carolina, United States served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system. It was originally built by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in 1909, and is currently part of the Kingstree Historic District.The two tracks at...
- CharlestonCharleston, South Carolina (Amtrak station)The Charleston Amtrak station is a train station located in North Charleston, South Carolina, United States served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system...
- YemasseeYemassee (Amtrak station)The Yemassee Amtrak station is an Amtrak station in Yemassee, South Carolina. Located at 15 Wall Street , the station consists of a covered platform on the northwest side of the northeast-southwest tracks, a small parking lot, and a building...
Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- SavannahSavannah (Amtrak station)The Savannah Amtrak station is an Amtrak station in Savannah, Georgia. Located at 2611 Seaboard Coastline Drive, the station consists of a terminal building on the east side of the north-south tracks, with a platform between the tracks. The terminal offers ticketing, checked baggage, Amtrak...
Consist
The Palmetto generally operates with a General Electric Genesis P42DC locomotive, a baggage car from Amtrak's Heritage Fleet, and five AmfleetAmfleet
Amfleet is a series of intercity railroad passenger cars built for the operator Amtrak by the manufacturer Budd Company in two series during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Today, Amfleet cars are used extensively throughout the Amtrak system outside the western United States...
passenger cars.