Amtrak Launches Direct Train Service from Cleveland to Florida This November
Starting in November, rail enthusiasts in Cleveland will have the opportunity to ride directly to Florida without changing trains, thanks to ongoing work on Amtrak’s East River Tunnel in New York.
Beginning November 10, Amtrak will temporarily combine its Capitol Limited and Silver Star trains to create a new service called the Floridian, which will operate between Chicago and Miami, passing through Washington, D.C.
Jim Mathews, president and CEO of the Rail Passengers Association, expressed excitement over this development, stating, “Our members have long dreamed of restoring a one-seat ride from the Midwest to Florida. We’re thrilled that a new generation of American travelers will get to experience this service. This initiative will not only free up much-needed equipment but also alleviate some pressure on the Northeast Corridor infrastructure during the East River Tunnel renovation project. We anticipate that riders will be eager to take advantage of this new service.”
Although passengers in Cleveland will need to catch the train in the middle of the night, local rail enthusiasts view the addition as a positive step forward. “It’s actually a pretty good thing,” said Stu Nicholson, a board member of the Rail Passengers Association. “There’s already a lot of excitement among Amtrak riders. Being able to take a one-train trip from Chicago through Ohio, then on to Washington, D.C., and down to Florida is fantastic.”
Significant progress on rail expansion in Ohio occurred last December when the Federal Railroad Administration awarded the state two grants of half a million dollars each. These grants will fund studies on potential routes, including the long-anticipated 3C+D line to restore passenger rail service between Cleveland and Cincinnati with stops in Columbus and Dayton. Additionally, the Midwest Ohio Regional Planning Commission is exploring a route connecting Chicago, Fort Wayne, Columbus, and Pittsburgh.
William Murdock, Executive Director of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, explained, “We’re gearing up for the next step, which is a Service Development Plan. This plan will address key questions regarding speed, station locations, service type, and freight impact.”
Governor Mike DeWine has emphasized the importance of these studies, stating that potential riders will only use the service if travel times are comparable to driving. “If we can find a way to make this financially viable, we would like to move forward,” he said.
Murdock concurred, noting that the business community, mayors, and residents are eager for answers about the feasibility of these rail services. “We need to determine if this is a good deal. We believe it is, and the study will provide crucial insights into when and how we can proceed.”
If the studies yield favorable results, Murdock estimates that rail service could be restored within the next decade, possibly in five to ten years, which is relatively quick compared to highway projects.
For Columbus, which has been without passenger rail service since 1979, re-establishing this connectivity would be monumental. Nicholson stated, “There’s a chance for Columbus to become a major hub, potentially increasing from zero trains a day to six or seven, not counting long-distance routes the Federal Railroad Administration is considering.”
Nicholson is optimistic that existing routes through Cleveland could see more trains operating during daylight hours. “If all these initiatives progress, we could witness trains running at more reasonable hours. What a concept!”
