Editing Silver Meteor (section)

===Amtrak era===
[[File:Old 97, New Locomotive (14853558824).jpg|thumb|The ''Silver Meteor'' passing through [[Odenton station|Odenton, Maryland]] in 2014.]]
From December 17, 1971, to April 15, 1972, and September 10, 1972, to April 27, 1973, the ''Silver Meteor'' bypassed Jacksonville, running over the [[Gross Cutoff]] between [[Gross, Florida|Gross]] near the [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] state line and [[Baldwin, Florida|Baldwin]]. Between November 14, 1971, and January 16, 1972, the ''Silver Meteor'' made a major shift in its route, shifting from its traditional path on the old SAL mainline via Raleigh and Columbia to the old ACL mainline through [[Florence, South Carolina|Florence]] and [[Charleston, South Carolina]].<ref>Amtrak nationwide schedules, November 14, 1971, page 59</ref><ref>Amtrak nationwide schedules, January 16, 1972, page 59.</ref> Between June 11 and September 10, 1972, the ''Silver Meteor'' was extended to [[Boston]] and called the '''''Meteor'''''. Service to St. Petersburg returned with the train splitting at [[Auburndale, Florida]].

On several occasions during the 1970s, the ''Silver Meteor'' was combined with the ''Champion'', the main rival of the ''Silver Meteor'' until the SCL merger. In the summer of 1972, Amtrak split the trains in Savannah, with the ''Champion'' continuing to St. Petersburg and the ''Meteor'' continuing to Miami. They were combined again for the summers of 1975, 1976, and 1977, splitting in Jacksonville. Finally, in 1979, the ''Champion'' was permanently consolidated into the ''Silver Meteor'' as its St. Petersburg section. Although the ''Champion'' name was preserved for a time,<ref>{{cite news | title=Amtrak cuts Florida service | newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]] | date=August 30, 1979 | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bFYnAAAAIBAJ&pg=5258%2C4475291 | access-date=September 28, 2013}}</ref> it disappeared with the October 1, 1979, timetable.

On September 30, 1979, the ''Silver Meteor'' was rerouted between [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]] and Jacksonville over the former [[Atlantic Coast Line Railroad]] route due to the abandonment of the old SAL route. On January 31, 1984, the ''Silver Meteor's'' Florida west coast terminus was cut back from St. Petersburg to [[Tampa]], ending almost 100 years of rail passenger service to St. Petersburg. By October 26, 1986, the ''Silver Meteor'' had shifted to the old ACL route north of Savannah, as the abandonment of the SAL route north of Raleigh affected only the ''[[Silver Star (Amtrak train)|Silver Star]]''. On June 11, 1988, the tracks between [[Coleman, Florida|Coleman]] and [[Auburndale, Florida]] were abandoned, then removed to create the [[General James A. Van Fleet State Trail]], shifting the Miami section west to [[Lakeland (FL)|Lakeland]].

By the end of 1988, the ''Silver Meteor's'' Miami section had train numbers 97 and 98, while the Tampa section had train numbers 87 and 88. The Tampa section (87 and 88) was discontinued in 1994, and the Miami section (97 and 98) was rerouted through [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]], and are still used today.<ref>Amtrak Timetable effective October 30, 1994, p. 13 http://timetables.org/full.php?group=19961110n&item=0029</ref>

The best timing for Amtrak's ''Silver Meteor'' between Miami and New York City was 27 hours in 2008; SAL's first edition took 25 hours in 1939. Late trains often add more hours to today's schedules, most often caused by freight delays.

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.<ref>"Amtrak's Improvement Wish List", ''Trains'', January 2011, 20-21.</ref>

In October 2019, the ''Silver Meteor's'' dining car discontinued serving freshly cooked meals in a traditional, restaurant-style setting, otherwise known as "traditional dining." Amtrak introduced the "flexible dining" system to the ''Silver Meteor'', which includes pre-prepared meals heated in either a convection oven or a microwave oven at the time of purchase.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amtrak.com/flexible-dining|title = Amtrak Flexible Dining}}</ref> In a [[Rail Passengers Association]] webinar that took place on November 16, 2022, Amtrak's vice president of long-distance service revealed that traditional dining service was planned to be reintroduced on the ''Silver Meteor'' and the ''Silver Star'' in early 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weinberg |first1=Harrison |title=Amtrak long-distance capacity to remain tight through 2023 |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/amtrak-long-distance-capacity-to-remain-tight-through-2023/ |website=trains.com |publisher=Bob Johnston |access-date=November 20, 2022}}</ref> Following this announcement, beginning on northbound train 92 on March 15, 2023, traditional dining was reintroduced to the ''Silver Star'' in the form of a 3-month pilot program gauged to test the success of the service.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weinberg |first1=Harrison |title=Amtrak launches ''Silver Star'' traditional dining 'pilot' |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/amtrak-launches-silver-star-traditional-dining-pilot/ |website=trains.com |date=April 25, 2023 |publisher=Bob Johnston |access-date=June 29, 2023}}</ref> Southbound train 91 received the pilot on March 17. On June 24, 2023, traditional dining service was formally launched on the ''Silver Meteor'' on northbound train 98, and the pilot program on the ''Silver Star'' was replaced by a permanent service.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnston |first1=Bob |title=Amtrak returns 'traditional dining' to ''Silver Meteor'' |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/amtrak-returns-traditional-dining-to-silver-meteor/ |website=trains.com |date=June 28, 2023 |publisher=Bob Johnston |access-date=June 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://media.amtrak.com/2023/06/amtrak-launches-traditional-dining-on-silver-meteor-and-silver-star/|title=Amtrak Launches Traditional Dining on ''Silver Meteor'' and ''Silver Star''|publisher=Amtrak|date=June 27, 2023|access-date=June 29, 2023}}</ref> Southbound train 97 received traditional dining on June 26. However, coach passengers were not allowed access to the dining car on either the ''Silver Meteor'' or ''Silver Star'', unlike on Amtrak's western [[Long-distance Amtrak routes|long-distance]] trains. Shortly after the formal rollout in another interview with the Rail Passengers Association, Amtrak's vice president of long-distance service stated that Coach Class access to the dining car was planned to be allowed by the end of 2023,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mathews |first1=Jim |title=SILVER SERVICES LATEST TO GET TRADITIONAL DINING |url=https://www.railpassengers.org/happening-now/news/blog/silver-services-latest-to-get-traditional-dining/ |website=railpassengers.org |publisher=Rail Passengers Association |access-date=July 2, 2023}}</ref> however by January 2024 coach passengers still did not have access. On March 4, 2024, dining car access was finally expanded to coach passengers, mirroring service on Amtrak's western long-distance trains.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnston |first1=Bob |title= Coach passengers now can buy meals in ''Silver Star'' and ''Silver Meteor'' dining cars |url= https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/coach-passengers-now-can-buy-meals-in-silver-star-and-silver-meteor-dining-cars/ |website=trains.com |publisher=Trains Magazine |access-date=March 4, 2024}}</ref>

Since 2012, issues have prevented Amtrak from moving from their [[Miami station (Amtrak)|current station]] to the [[Miami Intermodal Center]] (MIC), primarily regarding the length of the platforms and lease agreements. Amtrak argued that the platforms were insufficient in length, as extra cars are normally added to the ''Silver Meteor'' and ''Silver Star'' during the winter season to accommodate increased demand.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article1956936.html |title=Long trains, short platforms at new Miami airport train station won't force permanent street closure |last1=Chardy |first1=Alfonso |date=October 31, 2013 |work=Miami Herald |access-date=August 10, 2016 |last2=Viglucci |first2=Andres}}</ref> Tri-Rail began serving the MIC on April 5, 2015,<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.sfrta.fl.gov/press-releases.aspx|title = New Tri-Rail Miami International Airport station to open on April 5 |date=March 25, 2015 |publisher=[[South Florida Regional Transportation Authority]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414172115/http://www.sfrta.fl.gov/press-releases.aspx |archive-date = April 14, 2015}}</ref> and Greyhound began using the station on June 24, 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.micdot.com/timeline.html |title=Timeline |publisher=Florida Department of Transportation |work=Miami Intermodal Center |access-date=August 10, 2016}}</ref> Amtrak had been expected to move to the MIC by the Fall of 2016, but in 2018 Amtrak rejected the terms of a lease agreement with FDOT and said it had no plans to move to the MIC.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://wsvn.com/news/special-reports/off-the-rails-amtrak-station-built-near-mia-with-taxpayer-dollars-goes-unused/ |title=Off the Rails: Amtrak station built near MIA with taxpayer dollars goes unused |publisher=[[WSVN]] |first1=Brian |last1= Entin | first2=Tania |last2=Francois | date=November 5, 2018 |access-date=November 8, 2018}}</ref> In 2021, Amtrak reached out to FDOT to begin negotiations again for utilization of the MIC, and in February 2022, negotiations officially restarted.<ref>{{cite web |title=Amtrak Begins Active Preparations To Launch Service To Miami Intermodal Center |url=https://www.thenextmiami.com/amtrak-begins-active-preparations-to-launch-service-to-miami-intermodal-center/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221015151617/https://www.thenextmiami.com/amtrak-begins-active-preparations-to-launch-service-to-miami-intermodal-center/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 15, 2022 |website=The Next Miami |access-date=March 13, 2022 }}</ref> Later in March 2022, a test train operated into and out of the station and proved that the platforms are sufficient in length to hold a standard 10 car train.<ref>{{cite web |title=Video Shows Amtrak Train Fitting Into The Miami Intermodal Center In First Test Run |url=https://www.thenextmiami.com/video-shows-amtrak-train-fitting-into-the-miami-intermodal-center-in-first-test-run/#:~:text=Amtrak%20recently%20completed%20a%20successful,without%20blocking%20a%20nearby%20street. |website=The Next Miami |access-date=September 29, 2022 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> However, the platforms are not long enough to accommodate an 11 to 12 car train, which could be possible in the winter months. In September 2022, Amtrak management announced that it had restarted lease negotiations with FDOT regarding the use and maintenance of the terminal. However, one issue is the deadheading move that will need to occur between the MIC and Hialeah. Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner stated, "The company is evaluating technical and operational aspects of the move."<ref>{{cite web |title=Amtrak switch to Miami airport station again moving forward |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/amtrak-switch-to-miami-airport-station-again-moving-forward/ |website=Trains.com |access-date=September 29, 2022}}</ref> In an Amtrak Public Board Meeting Q&A on December 1, 2022, it was revealed that Amtrak was in the final stages of its preparations for relocating from their current Miami station, and had planned to relocate to the MIC in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Amtrak Public Board Meeting Public QA, December 1, 2022 |url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/board-meetings/Amtrak-Board-of-Directors-Meeting-120122-Public-QA.pdf |website=amtrak.com |publisher=Amtrak |access-date=2023-01-30}}</ref> However, additional track area would need to be constructed for the Amtrak trains to turn back north,<ref>{{cite news |title=More hurdles in long drive to get Amtrak to the airport |url=https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2023/10/03/more-hurdles-in-long-drive-to-get-amtrak-to-the-airport/ |access-date=2024-01-28 |work=[[Miami Today]] |date=October 3, 2023}}</ref> and by 2024 Amtrak had no date indicated for when service will start at the MIC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Bob |date=2024-01-08 |title=Amtrak's move to Miami airport station still in limbo |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/amtraks-move-to-miami-airport-station-still-in-limbo/ |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Trains |language=en-US}}</ref> Amtrak then unexpectedly reversed course in December 2024, sending a short letter to transportation officials negotiating the station lease's final details. The letter said Amtrak was no longer interested in running trains to the station and had determined that operating its trains from the station would be too expensive.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 30, 2024 |title=Amtrak derails decades of deals to serve Miami International Airport |url=https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2024/12/30/amtrak-derails-decades-of-deals-to-serve-miami-international-airport/ |access-date=December 31, 2024 |work=Miami Today |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/amtrak-ends-plan-to-move-to-miami-airport-station-report/ |title=Amtrak ends plan to move to Miami Airport station: report |date=December 30, 2024 |newspaper=Trains News Wire |access-date=December 30, 2024}}</ref>

On November 10, 2024, the ''Silver Star'' was merged with the {{lnl|Amtrak|Capitol Limited}} as the Chicago–Washington–Miami {{lnl|Amtrak|Floridian}}, leaving the ''Silver Meteor'' as the only New York City–Miami route.<ref>{{Cite press release |date=September 23, 2024 |title=Amtrak Launching the Floridian, with Daily Service Between Chicago and Miami |url=https://media.amtrak.com/2024/09/amtrak-launching-the-floridian-with-daily-service-between-chicago-and-miami/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923190514/https://media.amtrak.com/2024/09/amtrak-launching-the-floridian-with-daily-service-between-chicago-and-miami/ |archive-date=September 23, 2024 |access-date=September 23, 2024 |publisher=Amtrak}}</ref>