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Improves the likelihood by a lot, especially if they know they can get repeat business. Still depends on availability, but had the Thruway Bus not been in place, Amtrak’s going from scratch. At least they got the first phone call in place. Treat your vendors and contractors well, and they can...

I would certainly agree with you except for one fact - Amtrak has a contract with a provider to operate an Amtrak Thruway Bus daily from Spokane to Seattle. And that’s been in place for years too. That’s huge and half the battle - to have an existing Thruway Bus in place over a route and at...

Amtrak had no problem cancelling an Empire Builder last week that arrived about 6 hours late into Seattle/Portland. But then on Friday, May 12, 2023, they released a near 9 hour late train from Seattle/Portland that caused crews to get out of place/turn, passengers likely seeking alternative...

I think Chicago put together substitutions the best they could…..There were some Horizons that were overhauled for low density seating (LD service) and appeared on the Three Rivers and even the Pennsylvanian when it was extended “all the way” to Chicago. Occasionally - during peak season when...

The addition of the Viewliner Bagg/Dorm to this train helps to add some capacity and place the crew in that car, as opposed to the Viewliner II revenue based sleeper. Overall, a “net gain“ by having the Viewliner Bagg/Dorm and Viewliner II Sleeper, but in peak periods, this train certainly could...

I still can’t believe this pathetic consist - and the Capitol Limited’s for that matter. These two trains are setup for operational and financial failure, let alone passenger disappointment, right from the start.…. On days the “run-through cars” are in the consist of the Texas Eagle, there used...

Nice! Empire Builder has interior refreshed coaches; that’s been it.

Happened last May on the westbound Lake Shore Limited I was on - Car 4912 was a Viewliner II Sleeper and the train was brought from Sunnyside Yard into NYP with toilets “out of order.” After a delay of about an hour at the platform (for mechanical to try and do “some sort of last minute fix”)...

The LD survey that was sent out was far cry from trying to gather info about creating a “luxury type product” akin to the VIA Prestige Sleeper class. Honestly - I felt it was geared to price elasticity. For example - at what price would you switch to a coach or business class seat and not take a...

Definitely the right move! They are trying to restore the 831 Superliner Sleeper this season, but I‘d be booking in the 830 car. It’s also positioned right next to the Diner with a little bit of more head-end buffer of the 831 car is in the consist - think less horn noise!

To reduce Amtrak's losses, it's not a cost problem Amtrak has, it is a revenue problem. Lets say all cars in Hialeah, Chicago, Beech Grove, Bear, Wilmington, etc. got fixed and repaired and made to serviceable condition. Amtrak has NEVER done a deep analysis to figure out the overall function...

Amtrak's stillborn Skyline Connection from the late 1990s was to operate largely at the convenience of M&E traffic, but was to be an overnight train from Philadelphia (with connection to/from NYP) and Pittsburgh through to Chicago. With the Viewliner II order completely delivered (e.g. Viewliner...

Amtrak needs to add back capacity to its three major Western Long Haul trains - Southwest Chief, CA Zephyr, and Empire Builder. These trains were operating at very high capacity and sold out limits for a while now. If they had the capacity they'd be surpassing their 2019 numbers - guaranteed.

Torn on whether this "excursion train" should really be operating at this particular time when supplying capacity on regularly operated corridor and long distance trains go without - be it basic Superliner Coaches or the Superliner Sightseer Lounge Car..... I do support the train in general, but...

I would definitely look at the layouts of a Superliner roomette vs ADA (Handicap) room. See if there's an online tour or even video you can take a look at. Interesting points made above. The smaller, windows, lower level, and bathroom situation are my main points of concern. The Viewliner ADA...

That would make sense. Some of this work at Beech Grove - to hopefully get Amtrak passenger rolling stock back in operable and running condition - should have been put out for contract with third party provider a while ago. Yes, there’s a worker shortage and institutional knowledge that’s been...

The eggs seem better on more recent LD trips I’ve taken - for what it is worth. Better even since 2018…. They have more taste and a bit fluffier, not as bland. Steak though always ask how you want it cooked - so presuming that’s being put on the grill at least, as well a the salmon……Planko...

That’s good to hear about the Coast Starlight. I wonder if that’s a pilot program of some sort. It should work I think. For $45 you get the three options (appetizer, entree, and dessert), but what about a regular drinks and alcoholic drinks? Are the drinks extra or on top of the $45. If you do...

A flat price for coach passengers ordering in the Diner would be a good way to go. Amtrak could even do an “upsell” program and have coach passengers pre-order their meals at time of ticket purchase. This has been LONG talked about, but it has never been implemented. Would add more efficiency to...

CA Zephyr is the better choice for scenery if it sticks to the schedule. I don't think you'll be disappointed. First day out of Chicago is large open fields of Midwestern USA, but then grab a seat in the Sightseer Lounge Car while the train is at Denver Union Station, as you'll want to be seated...