Refresh Stops

[sunchaser]

I know they take on water & dump trash, & change out linens at the refresh stops, but is there any other things they refresh, like ice? :unsure:

The trains do not have ice makers, correct?

Thanks in advance for the answers!

 

[jmbgeg]

I know they take on water & dump trash, & change out linens at the refresh stops, but is there any other things they refresh, like ice? :unsure: The trains do not have ice makers, correct?

Thanks in advance for the answers!

Every train I have ever been on gets its ice at service stops.

Speaking of ice, I hate been in sleepers when ice runs out well before a service stop. Instead of the cheap styrofoam ice chests they have in most sleepers why don't they buy good quality ices chest so that the ice keeps a lot longer?

 

[AlanB]

I know they take on water & dump trash, & change out linens at the refresh stops, but is there any other things they refresh, like ice? :unsure:

They don't change out the linens at the service stops. Linens remain with the train from start to end of the run. If you are onboard for two days, your linens are not changed after the first night. If you leave after the first night, then and only then are the lines in that room changed. But the dirty sheets and blankets stay in the car to the end of the run.

Service stops remove garbage, water the train, refuel the engine, take on newspapers for the sleeping car pax, and maybe if something was missing from the diner they get a substitute. And occasionally at the larger service stops, if something is broken like a toilet or an AC unit, they'll try to fix it if there is enough time.

 

[AlanB]

Speaking of ice, I hate been in sleepers when ice runs out well before a service stop. Instead of the cheap styrofoam ice chests they have in most sleepers why don't they buy good quality ices chest so that the ice keeps a lot longer?

They'd grow legs and walk away if they were good quality ice chests.

 

[EB_OBS]

I know on the EB we can pick up ice in MSP and HAV. That's if the ice vendor has been paid recently. The Havre ice is usually pretty poor quality during the summer, which is when we actually will need it. The ice in Havre is delivered in the back of a pickup truck and in the high heat of Montana it partially melts then is refrozen in the storage freezer. We get it on the train and have to beat the crap out of it to break it up.

 

[EB_OBS]

Speaking of ice, I hate been in sleepers when ice runs out well before a service stop. Instead of the cheap styrofoam ice chests they have in most sleepers why don't they buy good quality ices chest so that the ice keeps a lot longer?

They'd grow legs and walk away if they were good quality ice chests.

It's a shame that that's the excuse for so many of AMTRAKs equipment problems.

 

[sky12065]

Service stops remove garbage, water the train, refuel the engine, etc.

A good watering along with a little fertilizer can produce a health growth on a train! :unsure: ...

 

[the_traveler]

Service stops remove garbage

They better not try to remove me! :lol:

A good watering along with a little fertilizer can produce a health growth on a train!

The only effect is has on me is to grow around the middle!

 

[sunchaser]

Service stops remove garbage, water the train, refuel the engine, etc.

A good watering along with a little fertilizer can produce a health growth on a train! :unsure: ...

That picture is just scary!!!!! Can you imagine riding on that train? But I guess you would be able to smoke if you want-you would be outside!!! Imagine trying to get to the bathroom.....assuming they have them onboard!

 

[the_traveler]

Talk about a Sightseer! The whole train has "a room with a view"! :lol:

 

[amtrakwolverine]

how does the engineer see out the train windows.

 

[sky12065]

Service stops remove garbage, water the train, refuel the engine, etc.

A good watering along with a little fertilizer can produce a health growth on a train! :unsure: ...

That picture is just scary!!!!! Can you imagine riding on that train? But I guess you would be able to smoke if you want-you would be outside!!! Imagine trying to get to the bathroom.....assuming they have them onboard!

I don't know about smoking or bathrooms, but I'd hate to be low a little further back when someone up front and near the top had to go!

 

[Crescent ATN & TCL]

What is the capacity of the fuel tank on a P-42? If its 5000gal like most freight engines trains like the Crescent shouldn't need refueling enroute. If the Crescent with 2 P-42 was fully fueled to 5000gal each that would mean they could burn up to 9gal/mi and still have some left over. I do know the train is re-fueled at Charlotte but aside from there I can't remember seeing a place to refuel.

 

[jmbgeg]

Speaking of ice, I hate been in sleepers when ice runs out well before a service stop. Instead of the cheap styrofoam ice chests they have in most sleepers why don't they buy good quality ices chest so that the ice keeps a lot longer?

They'd grow legs and walk away if they were good quality ice chests.

Use a bicycle lock (chain on the cooler handle) to attach them to the base of the roomette berth. How's that for a solution?

 

[Cho Cho Charlie]

Use a bicycle lock (chain on the cooler handle) to attach them to the base of the roomette berth. How's that for a solution?

Then Amtrak will loose a cooler, a lock, and one berth.

 

[Bierboy]

On our recent trip on the Empire Builder, our SCA didn't put ice out, but had it in her roomette (which was just across from the coffee station on our sleeper). All we had to do was ask her for ice.

 

[AlanB]

Speaking of ice, I hate been in sleepers when ice runs out well before a service stop. Instead of the cheap styrofoam ice chests they have in most sleepers why don't they buy good quality ices chest so that the ice keeps a lot longer?

They'd grow legs and walk away if they were good quality ice chests.

Use a bicycle lock (chain on the cooler handle) to attach them to the base of the roomette berth. How's that for a solution?

Terrible.

You wouldn't be able to close and lock the door. Not to mention that the cooler would be stuck in the middle of the narrow hallway where people would fall over it. And if you buy a long enough chain to get it to the corner at the top of the stairs where they normally put the cooler, then the chain would block the restroom door.

 

[AlanB]

On our recent trip on the Empire Builder, our SCA didn't put ice out, but had it in her roomette (which was just across from the coffee station on our sleeper). All we had to do was ask her for ice.

That might be more about trying to comply with the health regulations. Amtrak keeps getting flack for people mishandling the scoop for the ice by dropping into the ice itself, since there is no place to secure the scoop.

 

[jmbgeg]

On our recent trip on the Empire Builder, our SCA didn't put ice out, but had it in her roomette (which was just across from the coffee station on our sleeper). All we had to do was ask her for ice.

That might be more about trying to comply with the health regulations. Amtrak keeps getting flack for people mishandling the scoop for the ice by dropping into the ice itself, since there is no place to secure the scoop.

I agree, Alan. On my eastbound EB trip earlier this month the SCA said that the new rule on the EBs is that only the SCA can go into the ice. He said it is because of concerns about swine flu. As a result, he was up and down delivering buckets of ice all the time, and the ice chest was depleted faster by the bucket than by the glass. On my westbound EB trip they did not know of and/or enforce the rule and things were status quo on my last CS trip.

 

[sunchaser]

On our recent trip on the Empire Builder, our SCA didn't put ice out, but had it in her roomette (which was just across from the coffee station on our sleeper). All we had to do was ask her for ice.

That might be more about trying to comply with the health regulations. Amtrak keeps getting flack for people mishandling the scoop for the ice by dropping into the ice itself, since there is no place to secure the scoop.

I agree, Alan. On my eastbound EB trip earlier this month the SCA said that the new rule on the EBs is that only the SCA can go into the ice. He said it is because of concerns about swine flu. As a result, he was up and down delivering buckets of ice all the time, and the ice chest was depleted faster by the bucket than by the glass. On my westbound EB trip they did not know of and/or enforce the rule and things were status quo on my last CS trip.

Given the new ice rule then, what is the chance that whomever is in charge of filling at the beginning of the routes or replenishing said ice will stock more onboard? Or would that be something that would take them awhile to figure out?

I would think it wouldn't take a whole lot of preplanning to at least double the ice........

 

[Bob Dylan]

On our recent trip on the Empire Builder, our SCA didn't put ice out, but had it in her roomette (which was just across from the coffee station on our sleeper). All we had to do was ask her for ice.

That might be more about trying to comply with the health regulations. Amtrak keeps getting flack for people mishandling the scoop for the ice by dropping into the ice itself, since there is no place to secure the scoop.

I agree, Alan. On my eastbound EB trip earlier this month the SCA said that the new rule on the EBs is that only the SCA can go into the ice. He said it is because of concerns about swine flu. As a result, he was up and down delivering buckets of ice all the time, and the ice chest was depleted faster by the bucket than by the glass. On my westbound EB trip they did not know of and/or enforce the rule and things were status quo on my last CS trip.

Given the new ice rule then, what is the chance that whomever is in charge of filling at the beginning of the routes or replenishing said ice will stock more onboard? Or would that be something that would take them awhile to figure out?

I would think it wouldn't take a whole lot of preplanning to at least double the ice........

A previous post from an SA from Seattle mention about ice coming onboard in Montana!Storage space is @ a premium on trains as we all know, guess Amtral could buy a freezer for each sleeper

( :lol: ) or an ice maker with the stinulus money!The real answer is to allow the LSA and SAs to stock

what is needed @ stops along the way and not try to load up for roundtrips in Chicago or NYP otr wherever!

You constantly hear that they are out of popular items in the diners as well as ice!Trust someone on the train

AMTRAK SUITS, as Ive said before bean counters do not give or ensure good service!!! :lol: The Indian train

pic must be the Indian version of the EB or CZ in Summer, a most popular train!!! :lol: :lol: (Is this 5th class??? :lol: :lol: )

 

[AlanB]

On our recent trip on the Empire Builder, our SCA didn't put ice out, but had it in her roomette (which was just across from the coffee station on our sleeper). All we had to do was ask her for ice.

That might be more about trying to comply with the health regulations. Amtrak keeps getting flack for people mishandling the scoop for the ice by dropping into the ice itself, since there is no place to secure the scoop.

I agree, Alan. On my eastbound EB trip earlier this month the SCA said that the new rule on the EBs is that only the SCA can go into the ice. He said it is because of concerns about swine flu. As a result, he was up and down delivering buckets of ice all the time, and the ice chest was depleted faster by the bucket than by the glass. On my westbound EB trip they did not know of and/or enforce the rule and things were status quo on my last CS trip.

Given the new ice rule then, what is the chance that whomever is in charge of filling at the beginning of the routes or replenishing said ice will stock more onboard? Or would that be something that would take them awhile to figure out?

I would think it wouldn't take a whole lot of preplanning to at least double the ice........

A previous post from an SA from Seattle mention about ice coming onboard in Montana!

Storage space is @ a premium on trains as we all know, guess Amtral could buy a freezer for each sleeper

( :lol: ) or an ice maker with the stinulus money!The real answer is to allow the LSA and SAs to stock

what is needed @ stops along the way and not try to load up for roundtrips in Chicago or NYP otr wherever!

You constantly hear that they are out of popular items in the diners as well as ice!Trust someone on the train

AMTRAK SUITS, as Ive said before bean counters do not give or ensure good service!!! :lol: The Indian train

pic must be the Indian version of the EB or CZ in Summer, a most popular train!!! :lol: :lol: (Is this 5th class??? :lol: :lol: )

Most out of stock on food items is either thanks to the commissary not having the item available on the day of departure or because Amtrak doesn't want the expense of wasting food that goes unused and would then go beyond their expiration dates. Amtrak has the space to put more food on board, they just don't want to since it all to often will go to waste.

Ice on the other hand is a problem since it is a rather bulky item that does take up considerable space in the freezers. This is why ice is restocked along the way, and food is typically not.

 

[mercedeslove]

how does the engineer see out the train windows.

I think parts of that photo has been shopped. If I had a bigger version I could know better, but I think the part with them all over the engine is shopped.

 

[Bob Dylan]

On our recent trip on the Empire Builder, our SCA didn't put ice out, but had it in her roomette (which was just across from the coffee station on our sleeper). All we had to do was ask her for ice.

That might be more about trying to comply with the health regulations. Amtrak keeps getting flack for people mishandling the scoop for the ice by dropping into the ice itself, since there is no place to secure the scoop.

I agree, Alan. On my eastbound EB trip earlier this month the SCA said that the new rule on the EBs is that only the SCA can go into the ice. He said it is because of concerns about swine flu. As a result, he was up and down delivering buckets of ice all the time, and the ice chest was depleted faster by the bucket than by the glass. On my westbound EB trip they did not know of and/or enforce the rule and things were status quo on my last CS trip.

Given the new ice rule then, what is the chance that whomever is in charge of filling at the beginning of the routes or replenishing said ice will stock more onboard? Or would that be something that would take them awhile to figure out?

I would think it wouldn't take a whole lot of preplanning to at least double the ice........

A previous post from an SA from Seattle mention about ice coming onboard in Montana!

Storage space is @ a premium on trains as we all know, guess Amtral could buy a freezer for each sleeper

( :lol: ) or an ice maker with the stinulus money!The real answer is to allow the LSA and SAs to stock

what is needed @ stops along the way and not try to load up for roundtrips in Chicago or NYP otr wherever!

You constantly hear that they are out of popular items in the diners as well as ice!Trust someone on the train

AMTRAK SUITS, as Ive said before bean counters do not give or ensure good service!!! :lol: The Indian train

pic must be the Indian version of the EB or CZ in Summer, a most popular train!!! :lol: :lol: (Is this 5th class??? :lol: :lol: )

Most out of stock on food items is either thanks to the commissary not having the item available on the day of departure or because Amtrak doesn't want the expense of wasting food that goes unused and would then go beyond their expiration dates. Amtrak has the space to put more food on board, they just don't want to since it all to often will go to waste.

Ice on the other hand is a problem since it is a rather bulky item that does take up considerable space in the freezers. This is why ice is restocked along the way, and food is typically not.

Alsn I was refering to the diner when the SA says were out of "___________', all we have is"__________"<this is especially prevelent on the LD trains Ive ridden on the second day of the trip,especially dinner.Is there really

any reason to be "out" of ice cream, or pie or "steak" etc. when the people that woek the trains know

what is popular, and especially now that most of the food is pre-prepared and just "heated" aboard??

 

[AlanB]

Most out of stock on food items is either thanks to the commissary not having the item available on the day of departure or because Amtrak doesn't want the expense of wasting food that goes unused and would then go beyond their expiration dates. Amtrak has the space to put more food on board, they just don't want to since it all to often will go to waste.

Alsn I was refering to the diner when the SA says were out of "___________', all we have is"__________"<

this is especially prevelent on the LD trains Ive ridden on the second day of the trip,especially dinner.Is there really

any reason to be "out" of ice cream, or pie or "steak" etc. when the people that woek the trains know

what is popular, and especially now that most of the food is pre-prepared and just "heated" aboard??

And that is exactly what I was referring to with my post. There is a reason. Whether it's a good one or not probably depends on one's point of view. But the simple reason most often is that someone decided to count nickels and dimes and did not over order food because they don't want it to go to waste.

Even in a regular fixed restaurant the manager and cook have to walk a delicate line with what they order. One can never predict whether 50 people will order the fish tonight or 40. So you have to over buy to some extent and hope that you came close on your guess, such that you don't have too many pieces of fish left over at the end of the night. If you can't sell it by the next night, then most likely it's going in the garbage.

With the constant beating of the drum that says Amtrak has to slash food service costs, Amtrak is loading less food on the trains. They're loading enough to feed everyone, but if more people than expected order fish the first night out, then they'll run out on the second night.

I'm far from an expert on this, but let’s say that your average restaurant would over order the expected sales of fish by 10% so as to have a buffer just in case more people decide to have fish tonight. Well Amtrak is only over ordering by maybe 4% to 5%. And therefore they are running out of items depending on which items are the hot sellers that first night. The crews AFAIK have no control over how many of each menu item they get. Maybe Ex223 will correct me on that, but again AFAIK, the LSA has no say in how many of each meal he/she gets from the commissary.

So again, while it's probably not a good reason from a customer perspective and it is probably a fool hardy reason since you are angering your customers, there is indeed a reason for it; it's called saving money.