Originally Posted by
Janet Belan Merkt
I get the SW Chief (daytime ride) then a route via Pennsylvania, which I've never taken. I can do coach from KC to Chicago and stay overnight if i have to. But I do not see the Penn route available when I look at Chicago to Orlando. Am I missing something??
ARROW, Amtrak's reservation system is a rather old system at this point in time. It once was state of the art, but not anymore. Someone at Amtrak must enter all the possible train combinations. Clearly someone did enter that combination from KCY to ORL; but they didn't enter it from CHI to ORL. So it doesn't show up when you enter Chicago to Orlando. It should also be noted that one can affect the choices seen by selecting a time range for departure.
If however you really have your heart set on riding the Pennsy, you can force it by using the multi-city option. You can build the trip yourself, the way you want it.
And while it is more round about, I will mention the Pennsy does go around the rather famous Horseshoe Curve. That said, the Cardinal is a more scenic ride, assuming that you can make its 3 day a week departure schedule work for you.