Palmetto (train)

Palmetto
The southbound Palmetto at Fredericksburg station in 2018
Overview
Service typeInter-city rail
LocaleNortheastern, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States
PredecessorPalmetto (Atlantic Coast Line Railroad)
First serviceJune 15, 1976 (original)
May 1, 2002 (current)
Last serviceFebruary 1, 1995 (original)
Current operator(s)Amtrak
Annual ridership357,196 (FY 24)  12.2%
Route
TerminiNew York City, New York
Savannah, Georgia
Stops23
Distance travelled829 miles (1,334 km)
Average journey time
  • 15 hours, 36 minutes (northbound)
  • 15 hours, 2 minutes (southbound)
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)89, 90
On-board services
Class(es)Coach Class
Business Class
Disabled accessAll train cars, most stations
Catering facilitiesCafé
Baggage facilitiesOverhead racks, checked baggage available at selected stations
Technical
Rolling stockAmfleet
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead line, 12 kV AC at 25 Hz (New York–Washington)
Operating speed54 mph (87 km/h) (avg.)
125 mph (201 km/h) (top)
Track owner(s)Amtrak, CSX

The Palmetto is a passenger train operated by Amtrak on a 829-mile (1,334 km) route between New York City and Savannah, Georgia, via the Northeast Corridor, Washington, D.C., Richmond, Virginia, Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Charleston, South Carolina. The Palmetto is a shorter version of the Silver Meteor, which continues south to Miami, Florida. From 1996 to 2002 this service was called the Silver Palm. Although currently a day train, the Palmetto is considered a long-distance train by Amtrak and previously provided overnight sleeper service to Florida.

During fiscal year 2019, the Palmetto carried 345,342 passengers, a decrease of 11% from FY2018. The train had a total revenue of $27,208,372 during FY2016, a 61.4% increase over FY2015.