Summary: This article discusses riding Amtrak’s Palmetto, which runs an 829-mile route between New York City and Savannah, Georgia. It highlights the Palmetto‘s unique characteristics as a long-distance train without dining cars or sleeping accommodations. The article also delves into the train’s history, including its origins in 1976, its various route changes and service adjustments over the years, and its historical name origins. It describes the Palmetto‘s journey, including its stops and locomotive changes, and recommends it as a rewarding travel experience. The article also describes Savannah Station and nearby museums.
Imagine seeing the sun rise over the East Coast as you sip coffee and watch skyscrapers give way to rolling countryside over a relaxing 16-hour journey from New York to Savannah, Ga. — called The Hostess City of the South for its spirit of hospitality.
This is the Palmetto experience, a long-distance train with a difference.
Amtrak operates 14 long-distance routes, defined as routes over 750 miles. While each route has its own characteristics and appeal, the Palmetto, train Nos. 89 and 90, stands alone. Running an 829-mile dawn-to-dusk sprint between New York City’s Penn Station and Savannah, the Palmetto is the only long-distance train to offer Coach and Business Class seats, but no dining car or sleeping accommodations.
The Palmetto’s first run was on June 15, 1976, which was also the first run of the then-new Amfleet I cars on a long-distance train. The Palmetto and Colonial, Amtrak’s first service from Northeast Corridor points and Washington to Newport News, Va., began operation on the same day and represented the first step in the development of today’s highly successful Washington-Richmond corridor.
Prior to 1976, the Washington-Richmond service of Amtrak and its predecessors was provided by long-distance trains that were not conveniently scheduled to serve local markets. This service was called the Silver Palm from 1996 to 2002.
Deep roots
As a train name, the Palmetto has deep roots. It was first used by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in 1909 for the Palmetto Limited, which ran from New York City to Augusta and Savannah, Ga., with a connection to Atlanta via the Georgia Railroad. (The train drew its name from the Sabal palmetto, the state tree of South Carolina.) The Atlantic Coast Line train was discontinued in 1968.
When Amtrak introduced its Palmetto in 1976, it planned to run the train daily for the summer months only, with service ending in September. Ridership was better than expected and Amtrak extended the Palmetto to year-round service.
In October 1984, Amtrak began operating the Carolinian, a North Carolina-focused regional train, as a section of the Palmetto. The two trains ran combined between New York and Richmond, Va.
At Richmond, the Carolinian continued separately to the North Carolina cities of Raleigh and Charlotte. It was discontinued in September 1985, after the state of North Carolina refused to increase state support for the train, and then revived in 1990.
In December 1988 Amtrak extended the Palmetto south to Jacksonville, Fla. The train continued to be coach-only, without full dining service. Beginning on May 12, 1990, the Palmetto combined with a revived Carolinian, although this time the split occurred in Rocky Mount, N.C. The two trains began running independently to New York in April 1991.
The Palmetto added sleeper car accommodations and dining car service in October 1994, running through to Tampa, Fla. as a replacement for the Silver Meteor’s Tampa section. This extension proved short-lived. Budget cuts under the Clinton administration led to the Palmetto’s discontinuance on Feb. 1, 1995.
The Palmetto returns
In November 1996, Amtrak added a third train from New York to Miami, known as the Silver Palm in line with the Silver Service brand for Amtrak’s Florida trains. However, it used the same route as the former Palmetto and carried the same numbers (No. 89 southbound and No. 90 northbound). While the Silver Star and Silver Meteor ran straight from Jacksonville to Miami, at Jacksonville the Silver Palm turned west and continued over the old Seaboard Air Line Railroad main line via Waldo, Ocala, Wildwood, and Dade City to Tampa. At Tampa, the train passed through a wye, before continuing south to Miami.
Amtrak restored the Palmetto name on May 1, 2002. Even though sleeper cars and the dining car were removed, the train continued serving Florida. On Nov. 1, 2004, Amtrak truncated the Palmetto to Savannah, Ga., operating a daytime schedule to and from New York. The Silver Star was rerouted to serve Tampa, which still serves Florida cities including Gainesville.
Riding the Palmetto
The Palmetto’s journey begins at New York City’s bustling Penn Station. For the first leg of the trip, the seven-car train is pulled by Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor workhorse, the ACS64, which replaced the long-serving Swedish-designed and American built AEM7s.
As is the case on all long-distance trains, passengers are seated in specific cars according to their destination. Those bound for Washington, D.C., and Richmond are seated toward the front of the train, while passengers destined for North Carolina, South Carolina, and Savannah are seated in the third car, and so on. Business Class is assigned an Amfleet I coach, with the rest of the coaches are Amfleet IIs. Most trains include an Amfleet club car which has a combination of Business Class seating with a Café food service/lounge and four Coach Class cars. The train also carries a Viewliner baggage car for its checked bag service.
Rolling out of New York City in the early hours of the morning, the Palmetto makes station stops at Metro Park (Iselin, N.J.), Trenton, N.J., Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station, Wilmington, Del., and Baltimore’s Penn Station. At Washington, D.C.’s Union Station, the train stops for a crew change. The locomotive swap is very railroad enthusiast’s favorite part about the stop in Washington.
The ACS64 is uncoupled and taken away to be readied for its next assignment. Soon, a General Electric Genesis diesel or Siemens ALC42 Charger backs up for coupling. Successfully coupled, and with power cables and brake lines reconnected, and passengers all on board, the Palmetto proceeds through the East Tunnel.
Emerging from the East Tunnel, the train merges in with the CSX main line. It then crosses the Potomac River, and passes Ronald Reagan National Airport on its way to its station in Alexandria, Va. The train continues on, passing through the railroad town of Ashland, Va., where train spotting is an everyday ritual, and arrives at Richmond Staple Mills Station.
Staple Mills Station is Amtrak’s main terminal in Richmond. The city’s ornate Main Street Station, a National Historic Landmark, a few miles to the south, currently serves the Northeast Corridor route to Williamsburg and Newport News.
Soon after its departure from Richmond, the train crosses over the James River, and continues to Petersburg, the last stop in Virginia.
Later, the train crosses the state line into North Carolina, making station stops in Rocky Mount, Wilson, Selma-Smithfield, and Fayetteville. The train crosses into South Carolina, stopping in Dillon, Florence, Kingstree, Charleston, and Yemasee.
Half an hour later, the train makes its final station stop — Savannah, Ga., a city known for its beautiful architecture, historic squares, delicious food, and friendly people, all of which contribute to its reputation as a gracious host to visitors.
The Station and beyond
Savannah Station is located in the city’s freight port area. Besides the Palmetto, Savannah is a station stop for the Silver Meteor (New York-Miami) and the Floridian (Chicago-Miami), which has been in revenue service since Nov. 10, 2024.
Located four miles from Savannah’s historic district, Savannah Station is a time capsule all by itself. The mid-century modern style station was built by the Atlantic Coast Line in 1962 during the height of the civil rights conflict. Inside the station, an eagle-eyed passenger can spot signage from the long-gone era of racial segregation. What gives the station its true railroad flavor is the locomotive tile fresco on its front facade.
The Georgia State Railroad Museum, located on Louisville Road in the city’s Tricentennial Park, near the Talmadge Memorial Bridge, adds to Savannah’s rich history. The museum features locomotives and railcars from the Central of Georgia Railway. From photographing historic rolling stock, to witnessing a classic working turntable, the museum is well worth a visit. Seasonal train rides add the icing on the cake. Also worthwhile is Savannah’s History Museum, located next door.
Conclusions
The Palmetto is a rewarding travel experience. Whether in Business or Coach Class, the sunrise to sunset ride between New York City and Savannah is not to be missed. What could be better than mingling with fellow passengers, meeting interesting people, speeding along city to city, comparing travel notes, and watching the sun go down?
The Palmetto may be the sweetest of all Amtrak’s long-distance routes. It’s sweeter than Georgia peaches. It’s as sweet as the people of the city of Savannah itself.
In the spring of 2018 my wife and I along with our three grands took the Palmetto to Washington DC, boarding in Yemassee SC with had a fine ride until we got to Richmond, from there to DC we travelled at no more than 25 MPH due to all sorts of delays and stoppage for CSX freights. arriving 2 hours late it was still better than taking I-95 with only three taxi runs we walked around DC and even to Arlington. Our return to South Carolina was fine although some slow rideing near the VA/NC border. Thunderstorm slowed us between Charleston and Yemassee and once again coming in late the trip was better than auto on I-95. The train was good for our grands to be able to walk about and to get food as they wished. Food was the only bad spot, as the choice were slim, but all in all a good way to see DC, wife did not like to cold AC!!!