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Welcome Phil. I think I've seen your contributions in other rail forums. If so you've had some interesting recent trips.

VIA entertained a similar proposal based on the familiar Hawker-Siddeley (now Bombardier/Alstom) lozenge-shaped commuter cars after their debut with GO Transit. It was in the same period that they "test drove" Amtrak Superliners out west. They refurbished the ex-CP stainless fleet instead of...

Not high-speed, but either of the long-distance "cruise" trains in Australia are on many bucket lists.

This is an innocent question not intended to start anything political. Has the money for the new Amtrak LD equipment already been allocated and is not revocable? Obviously you folks have an election coming shortly and I have to wonder if a change of leadership could impact any order. Drawing a...

Both the photos and video are very close to the description by @zephyr17 and mirror my first trip on the Desert Wind, which was in an Amtrak 10-6 sleeper (ex UP or SF - not sure). It followed the baggage car, then a lightly used transition car, the Superliner diner, an ex-Santa Fe hi-level...

Not great quality but here's video:

Well said. To fill in a couple of blanks, several F40s are currently "in the shop" for the next rebuild. They should be good for another 10 years. On the subject of "J" trains, they have figured out how to MU a conventional train with the Siemens sets. The new wrinkle is what was normally an...

Therein is the crux of this discussion. A potentially seasonal train service to a community with a handful of taxis, no Uber or transit to serve the one or two hotels and handful of B&B's hardly screams success. (That applies to many potential destinations - not just the ones in this proposal.)

It's my favorite station in the LA area. The platforms are shared with Metrolink commuter trains and the electronic signs are not always accurate when Metrolink and Amtrak arrive near the same time, which won't affect you as an arriving passenger but worth noting if you're going back the same...

There was also checked baggage on the VIA train that ran through Maine and the Amtrak train that ran through Ontario. All predate current security protocols. Between the risk of drug smuggling southbound, gun smuggling northbound and explosives hidden in checked bags in either direction, neither...

There are unsubstantiated reports that additional HEP coaches have been added to Siemens consists already. Beyond a bizarre-looking lash-up yesterday with a corridor train towing a deadhead F40 and some Budd cars (including a Skyline) I haven't seen any visual evidence, however being a holiday...

Not to veer too far off-topic, but the confusion with the ONR order may stem from initial media reports (including Trains Magazine) which stated each train would have 3 coaches for seating, one of which would be a cab car. The food-service car "galley-style with table seating" did not appear...

And it is - in the concept picture. That is indeed what they ordered but that is under review and no units have yet been built. Apparently a more "utilitarian" nose on the loco is also being considered.

Pretty sure ONR's are to be 4 cars, with one a cafe/dinette and no business class. What has given rise to some discussion about 3 cars is ONR may delete the cab cars in favor of another conventional coach, for a total of 3 + cafe. There have been concerns about anything lighter than a locomotive...

Two well-written and balanced perspectives. One would assume reality is somewhere in the middle.

CN is making a similar requirement for elongated consists with VIA's Siemens sets that they made previously with Amtrak. Apparently there are level crossing issues with the lighter trains, with the two suggested solutions being to add cars or operate crossings "manually" until a permanent...

As a quasi Michigan railfan I've followed this story for awhile. Still surprised that the Detroit to Grand Rapids route isn't a higher priority than North-South. At the top end the stations could best be described as "seasonal".

VIA has their annual sale on with fares (they say) up to 40% off. Discount Code is CANADA. Corridor deals are very specific days and trains but still some good buys for those that plan to visit.

There has been discussion here before about the specific track raised in the OP. This whole area is dotted by cities and towns that have MLB Spring Training venues, so I've had the opportunity to visit many of the sites named. There is a break in the main track in downtown St. Pete, where it has...

Tip for future from two other seniors: get two roomettes across the hall from each other. Usually about the same price as a bedroom with no upper bunk to cope with. You sit together during the day and have a choice of scenery from both sides of the train. The lack of a private bathroom is...