Having been to Jacksonville, Florida several times for college football bowl games, I usually consider it my least favorite city in the Seminole state. However, I may have to reconsider due to their Amtrak station. I’m not talking about its size or the way it is constructed. Rather, small but important things that come in handy while you’re waiting on a train or running into the station while your train is making a stop: An ATM machine, a hot dog vendor and a couple of vending machines. Nice touch, Jacksonville. As we leave my favorite station so far in Florida, we are 3:08 behind schedule.

While eating dinner – a pretty good New York Strip coated with peppercorns – we stop briefly in Lake City, Florida. The conversation during the meal turns to the future of Amtrak. It turns out a gentleman at the table and I both chose the Sunset Limited due in part to the fact that we had never ridden the route before and wanted to do so in case it is dropped during the impending budget cut. On that note, here is the perfect segue: We again lose time and are now running 3:27 behind.

I received an e-mail from Mike, a rider who got off the train in Houston. Mike sent a clarification about my post “Service in San Antonio” concerning repairs of the refrigeration unit in the Lounge Car. Mike also sent some accompanying photos. Later, I may either post the pictures – if I get his permission – or link to his travelogue, if he decides to do one. Here is part of Mike’s e-mail:

Two repair men did all the work on the refrigeration unit of the Lounge Car while George sat in his shorts and T-shirt inside the car. George would try to turn it on when they yelled to him. So when I heard George’s announcement, he made it sound like he crawled into the belly of the car behind the refrigerated cases and fixed it himself – like a true salesman.

We stop at the station in Tallahassee, Florida for a 10-minute smoke break. The station is actually a couple of blocks from Florida State University. Approaching the station, the lights of Doak Campbell Stadium – where the Seminoles play football – are visible. When we leave Tallahassee, we are now 3:31 behind schedule.

Through most of the Florida Panhandle, I have limited Internet access and a spotty data connection on my cell phone. The GPS receiver also cannot pick up a signal at times. There’s nothing much to report, however. Outside Douglas City, Florida, the engineer asks for permission to handle a switch. We stop for a minute before the switch is cleared.