An Amtrak Afternoon: Part One - "Falling Star"

Ride along on a day trip aboard Amtrak trains #91 & #92, the SILVER STAR, on February 4, 2009. This is the outbound half of the journey, and Part One of a two-part video.

Come inside Tampa's Union Station as passengers gather, then watch the #91 back into the terminal as the announcer alerts us to its arrival on track 2. After an exchange of horns between the engine and the tail-end car, we are on board and pulling out on time. The attendant warns not to change seats, or else she won't be able to wake you, and you'll "ride till you wake up." We pass through Ybor City on our way out of Tampa, and note the crossing of the old Tampa Northern Main Line, as well as Neve Wye.

Next we pass through downtown Plant City, and see the intersection of the A-Line and S-Line. On to Lakeland with a view looking North as we approach the city's Amtrak Station. By the time we depart, we're looking south right at the station as we roll past. We then check out the rolling rural countryside and cattle country of Polk County, Florida. The runway at the Ridge Heights airport runs parallel to the railbed and is close enough to make you hope they never land a big plane.

Orange groves begin to dominate the landscape as we pass Lake Damon and Little Bonnet Lake on our way to Sebring, where we say our farewell to train #91 as it continues its daily "fall" down Florida on its way to Miami. Fortunately, the train was close enough to its scheduled time that my day-trip didn't turn into an overnighter. Sebring is the farthest point to which one can travel by train from Tampa and still theoretically return same-day.

See Part Two for the journey's conclusion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aY0LgBG0tI

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[AmtrakFlorida]

Wow you were really moving past those orange groves!

[TampaGS]

Yes, the groves were neat to see. They aren't as numerous in north central Florida as they used to be.

[GregEsteves90]

Was the train late getting in to tampa?

Because when i visit union station tampa the Silver Star 91 is late when ever i visit the station

[TampaGS]

This was actually one time where it arrived in Tampa on schedule, as stated at the video's 1:20. This was good luck for me as I had a short window to make the train back later that day.

You're right, though. I've seen her late more often than not.

[trainguy2020]

@TampaGS nice video man! I used to live near the Tampa Amtrak station but I actually lived in St. Peet. Do you recall the number of the p42DC leading p091 and p092?

[jasandros]

Did that harpy conductor with the slight attitude ever shutup????

[dubbly97]

I rode it and almost missed by 40 minutes in a traffic jam but luckily it was 1 hour late and we got back to our home town-palm beach