A Great Train Journey
Part One
NRHS 2023 Annual Convention in Deerfield Beach, Florida
by
Robin Bowers
September 01, 2023
Friday
Chapter Three
Text and Photos by Author
The
author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed
without the author's consent
Comments are appreciated at...yr.mmxx@gmail.com
Riding Tri-Rail end-to-end, welcoming Silver Meteor
This morning I was up and
made it to The Spotted Stag in the lobby for breakfast around
8:00am. While eating my breakfast sandwich, Chris and Elizabeth
joined me for their breakfast. This was a free day as we arrived
earlier than originally planned so it was decided to ride all of
the Tri-Rail route. After breakfast, Chris and I waited the
arrival of Doug Scott, who told Chris that he would give us a
lift to the train station as he was also going there to do some
train watching.
Shortly after our arrival, the Silver Meteor
arrived on time for its journey to NYC. It had been several days
with no train service due to Hurricane Idalia.
Silver Meteor # 98 on time.
Looking towards Miami.
Looking towards Mangonia Park and beyond.
Tri-Rail train 616 at the station and our ride north to Mangonia
Park.
Notice that there are stops at three major airports.
Our return train # 623 waiting at Mangonia Park to travel south to
Miami Airport.
Tri-Rail BL P36PH 823 built by Brookville Equipment in 2014.
Communications tower in Mangonia.
Looking north at Mangonia Park.
Platforms at Mangonia Park looking south towards Miami.
Our arrival at Miami Airport
Station where we detrained and boarded the next train back to
Deerfield Beach and Mangonia Park. We returned to Deerfield
Beach and after detraining and during the walk back to the
Doubletree Hotel. I stopped at Wawa to check out their food
selection and Chris continued on to the Doubletree Hotel. I was
impressed with Wawa's menu offerings and while they were doing a
good business, I decided to pass on ordering food as it wad the
middle of the afternoon. But is a plan B or C for meals. As I
was leaving, I stopped to buy an ice cream bar and by the time I
walked to the crosswalk, the bar was meting fast in the heat so
I ate it quickly before it became soup.
Doug S., Chris and myself planned to take
pictures of Amtrak's Silver Meteor when it arrived later in the
afternoon with the conventioneers riding in the private rail
cars. We all met in the lobby at 5:25pm and Doug droves us over
to the Amtrak station.
Train #636 northbound arriving at Deerfield Beach.
Train #636 at station.
Southbound # 641
Train #641 departing for Miami.
Train #638 on approach.
Train #638 at station.
The first Silver Meteor #97 after Hurricane Idalia arrives one day
and one hour late.
The private cars were attached to end.
Sleeper cars on Silver Meteor.
Sleeper Viewliner I 60032 built by Amerail in 1996, behind Amtrak
Diner Viewliner II "Hartford" 68013 built by CAF USA in 2017.
Amtrak Viewliner II Sleeper "Tombigbee River" 6521 built by CAF
USA, in 2017.
Former Union Pacific lightweight Budd Sleeper (1955) 6
Double Bedrooms, 9 Roomettes. My car for my trip to Manhattan
after the convention.
Pullman Heavyweight observation/lounge with rear windows.
Silver Meteor departing for Miami and Amtrak yards where the
private cars will be stored till their return trip to NYC on 9/7.
Northbound #640 on Track 2.
After all the excitement, we returned to the
hotel and it started to rain heavily so Doug pulled under the
porte-cochere to let us out and Chris and I went to the Spotted
Stag Restaurant where I had El Cuban sandwich and Chris had an
order of boneless chicken tenders. After we placed our orders
Elizabeth joined us during her break from the registration room
duties. After our meal we returned to our rooms and I watched
"Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" and then called it a day.
Thanks for
reading.
Text and Photos by Author, Robin Bowers
The
author retains all rights. No reproductions are
allowed without the author's consent
Comments are appreciated at...
yr.mmxx@gmail.com
