Amtrak is moving away from traditional meal service next week on several long-distance trains, replacing cooked-to-order meals with prepackaged fare.
Rail travel enthusiasts lamented the cost-saving move, but they may have alternatives that offer better food, service and scenery.
Starting Tuesday, Amtrak will replace dining cars on most trains in the eastern half of the country, including the routes from New York to Chicago and Florida and from Chicago to New Orleans, with what it calls “flexible dining service.”
Most of Amtrak’s long-distance trains west of Chicago and New Orleans will retain their traditional dining car service.