I took the sleeper going from NYC to Florida and coach the way back and the comfort in coach is all about who’s sitting around you.

"Newest Train" is really their "newest repackaging". Because of the work starting on the East River railroad tunnels in New York, Amtrak needed limit the number of trains using them. Their "solution" was to reroute the Miami-to-New York "Silver Star" to and from Chicago (instead of going to and from NYC) at Washington D.C. It also replaces the Capitol Limited, which ran between Washington D.C. and Chicago. To create excitement (rather than just calling it a "rerouting") the Silver Star and Capitol Limited names were "mothballed" and the now-rerouted train was labeled "The Floridian". As a result, Amtrak now only has one train that runs intact the whole distance between NYC and Miami (the Silver Meteor). The upside: Chicago travelers can take one train all the way to Miami without changing trains in Washington and they now have access to the full traditional dining menu (they didn't on the Capitol Limited). The downside: It's a very long and circuitous trip and there is not as much sleeping car capacity between Chicago and Washington as there was on the Capitol Limited portion of the route (the Silver Star portion remains the same). Also, riders who would have normally taken the now-rebranded Silver Star to NYC have to detrain and catch other trains between Washington and NYC.

As a person of young age, you have the stamina to endure such a long trip in a passenger coach. Personally, I would need some kind a sleeper arrangement.

If I was traveling coach, I would make sure I carried all my own snacks. so much cheaper and less hassle than standing in line at the cafes. Plus I could pack better snacks than what they offer.

My husband and I will be on this train in March (BWI to Ft Lauderdale) for a cruise. This is the best video so far that I’ve seen on the Floridian.

Nice review. On Nov 26, I left Miami on the Floridian bound for Chicago on coach and it actually arrived at Chicago Union Station 15 minutes ahead of schedule. As my train arrived at its final destination on the morning of Thanksgiving, it was sold out with holiday travelers.  Yet, the Amtrak crew rose to the occasion and did a great job keeping things moving. The coach seats were very comfortable even for the 46-hour trip. I understand that because it’s a new route, they been having some equipment glitches which hopefully will be sorted out. Overall, a great trip, especially if you like train travel.

Since it's usually cool at night on Amtrak a knit cap turned down over your eyes will work, or a sleep mask like he mentioned. There may be an annoying bright light if you are near the end of the car.

That could be my next Amtrak trip, The Floridian... Thanks for sharing your experience, I took a lot of Amtrak long distance destinations, but I haven't seen the experience of no one on the Floridian. Yes at the dinner car food is excellent, but at the cafe it is always not that good. THANKS!

Liked how clean it all was.

Yes, your trip as I recalled as I've travelling on Amtrak train even before Amtrak became nationwide (formerly individual railroad passengers companies became no longer confused with many transfers). My over 55 years, I hopped once or twice a year acrossing any part of USA as I love it and no matter if the train is delays or on time because train travellings are blasting with wonderful socially different people from all over the places and a beauty by looking views passing different areas too. And I'm using mostly sleeper car that is including no extra cost eating in dining car is the best! And their real foods are great! Able to walk entire each cars or standing out of train car on platform if stop for 10 or more minutes (do not wonder away from platform then the train will leaving by catch up on schedule or minutes before depart on-time). While monitoring the completely refueling in locomotives, done by exchanging suitcases in baggage car, finishing filling up water each car and less passengers hopping in or hopping out will leaving early as a schedule.
I used took Southern Pacific (SP) Peninsula Commuter trains for years. SP ran between San Francisco and San Jose, now called Caltrain extended to Gilroy (south of San Jose).
For you guys are taking a short trip on any long distance Amtrak to see if you like the train before taking longer trip. Also, check train status (keeping repeating if a train is catch up to your station) for the arrival to save your waiting. Enjoy! !

I ❤ Amtrack! Have gone from Florida to DC several times. Usually coach, but once in sleeper. A fun splurge if you can afford it. I always bring a lightweight blanket for the chill and to cover my eyes. Love a window seat.

I would definitely need a roomette.   55 dollars for dinner is quite costly.

Strange that there were so few passengers. Good to know.

Awesome video as always. The like quirks you had were all pretty much a part of the possible experience. I’m slightly saddened by the dining car service and I have been through that as well, with the exception of the steak not being cooked correctly. In someone else’s video where they went in coach from Miami to Chicago in coach, they too mentioned a large number of people getting off in Tampa, so it appears to be fairly popular for people to take this service there and sadly this is the only train that serves directly. I have little desire to take coach overnight due to back issues and the little annoyances (some of which you experienced) and for your destination it would have been better to have taken the Silver Meteor and have saved some time.

the old Floridian went straight from Chicago to Florida, not via the East Coast.

I can’t figure out why the Café Car payment system involves the attendant entering each purchased item on an iPad using a selection tree system (look at the item to be purchased, go through a menu until the class of item is found, then tap through that until the correct item is found) instead of just using a scanning wand for each item, like just about every other retail outlet in the country does. I’ve sometimes been behind a party ordering six or seven items, and checkout seems to take forever. Other than that, I’m a huge Amtrak fan for the most part.

Hey man, nice video! We were actually on the same train!!!

Great video ! I feel that traveling by train is less expensive than air. If you get a roomette one can get your meals included. For me that depends on the price comparisons of coach vs. a room  with food included.  The train wins cost wise  if the extra time doesn't matter

My back ( and my butt! ) would never endure sitting 🪑 that long. I definitely would need a sleeper!

Good review. Thanks for the info.