Carolinian (train)

Carolinian

Northbound Carolinian pulling in to High Point.
Overview
Service type Inter-city rail
Status Active
Locale Northeastern United States/Southern United States
First service May 12, 1990
Current operator(s) Amtrak in partnership with the
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Ridership 870 (FY13 daily avg.)
Annual ridership 317,550 (FY13)[1]
Route
Start New York City
End Charlotte, North Carolina
Distance travelled 704 miles (1,133 km)
Service frequency Daily
Train number(s) 79/80
Technical
Rolling stock Amfleet cars
Track gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Track owner(s) Amtrak, CSX, Norfolk Southern/NCRR

The Carolinian is a daily passenger train that runs between Charlotte, North Carolina and New York City. The train began operation in 1990 and is jointly funded and operated by Amtrak and the North Carolina Department of Transportation. A previous iteration operated between 1984-1985. Onboard services include coach, business class, and a cafe car. The train operates over the Northeast Corridor between New York and Washington, D.C. Intermediate stops in North Carolina include Rocky Mount, Wilson, Selma, Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Burlington, Greensboro, High Point, Salisbury, and Kannapolis.

During fiscal year 2013, the Carolinian carried over 317,550 passengers, a 3.6% increase over FY2012 (306,419 passengers)[1] and a 3.4% increase over FY2011 (307,213 passengers).[2] The line had a total revenue of $19,841,847 during FY2013, an increase of 6.4% over FY2012.[1]

History

The Carolinian departing Raleigh Amtrak station

Amtrak first introduced the Carolinian on October 28, 1984, in partnership with the state of North Carolina. The train ran over the same route as the modern Carolinian from Charlotte to Richmond, Virginia, where it combined with the Palmetto for the journey to New York. North Carolina supported the Carolinian with a $436,000 yearly subsidy. It was the first direct Raleigh—Charlotte service in 30 years and the first North Carolina-specific service in 20 years. An early alternative name for the service was the Piedmont Palmetto.[3][4] Amtrak discontinued the Carolinian on September 3, 1985, after North Carolina declined to renew its support for another year. Although ridership was higher than projected, revenues were not: most passengers traveled within North Carolina and did not continue to the Northeast. Supporters of the Carolinian blamed Amtrak and the state for not marketing the train properly.[5][6]

Amtrak and North Carolina re-launched the Carolinian on May 12, 1990, although this time the Carolinian joined the Palmetto in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, south of Richmond.[7] In April 1991 Amtrak stopped combining the Carolinian with the Palmetto; the train began running through to New York over the Northeast Corridor.[8]

In 1995, the Carolinian was joined with a sister train, the Piedmont, which runs on the same route of this train between Raleigh and Charlotte.

Accidents and incidents

On March 9, 2015, a north bound Carolinian collided with a tractor-trailer that was stuck on the tracks in Halifax County, North Carolina, with 55 people injured.[9][10]

Route details

The Carolinian operates over Amtrak, CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway, and North Carolina Railroad trackage:

The duration of the journey is around 13 hours 30 minutes.

Consist

The Carolinian typically operates with a Viewliner baggage car, an Amfleet business class car, an Amfleet cafe, and 3-4 Amfleet coaches. Motive power is provided by a GE P42DC diesel locomotive south of Washington, D.C.. Service between Washington and New York is handled by an electric locomotive. Maximum seating in such a configuration is 346, split between business class and reserved coach.[11]:17

References

External links

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