RANKING OVERNIGHT TRAINS

WHAT ELEMENTS MAKE TRAVEL ON AMTRAK’S long-distance network unique and enjoyable? Trains has attempted to quantify those qualities in six categories, using a fivepoint scale, with 1 signifying the worst and 5 the best. Grades for each route reflect the equipment assigned in summer 2021.

Some factors may be more important to one traveler than the next, but these rankings grant them equal importance. Some details on how scores were awarded:

Lounge space: A train gets a 5 if it has a Sightseer Lounge or a 2 for a Viewliner diner used as a “sleeper lounge” (dining car not open to coach passengers). The space in the Texas Eagle and Capitol Limited “Cross Country Cafe” gets a zero because it is usually not available for passengers outside of meal times, and tables are usually occupied by crew.

Dining quality: Trains where “traditional dining” has returned have not all been sampled, but no 5s are given out because it remains unavailable to coach passengers. Trains still serving “meals in a bowl” get a 1, though that is really an average between breakfast (0) and lunch/dinner (2).

Scenery: Based on quantity, variety, and abundance.

Sleeper comfort: Superliner trains get dinged because there is no room on the top bunk to sit up, but the Viewliner double windows make them a big winner.

Coach capacity: Trains with only two coaches are selling out across the system, but the Starlight gets the edge because it offers a Superliner business-class car. The Cardinal and Boston section of the Lake Shore have business class, but it is in one half of a cafe. On-time performance: Of course, this varies by trip, but the Crescent comes up short because it is still chronically late, even after the schedule was lengthened by an hour and a half. — Bob Johnston