Amtrak dining and cafe service

[Bob Dylan]

They can’t stock it in NYP and make it to Albany and back? The Surfliner makes it to SLO and back and SAN and back without restocking.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Infamous Subway Expieriment on these Trains!

A total Cluster Flub for sure!

But as most of us know, there's no real reason the Cafe Cars can't be Stocked,Open and serving between NYP and ALB.

 

[jis]

I think it was the guy before Boardman, IIRC. Kummant? Crosbie?

Yeah. It was sometime in 2005-06, so it predates Boardman and Crosbie. I suspect it was Hughes or Kummant.

They can’t stock it in NYP and make it to Albany and back? The Surfliner makes it to SLO and back and SAN and back without restocking.

Sure they can. Leaving aside the additional cost of staff for the moment, the food needs be stored in refrigerators while the consists are taken out of service for servicing. Remember that Albany is the primary maintenance facility for the rolling stock used in Empire Service. The equipment is truly shut down there unlike in the case of beyond Albany service where equipment is parked at the turning point but remains on with power and all that. That is a the reason a minimal refrigerated storage for food is needed there.

Fortunately the storage equipment was saved by some diligent staff, and is available for recommissioning apparently should Amtrak wish to do so.

NYSDOT has been trying to negotiate a service rate for this additional service and Amtrak is being its usual anal self apparently. Afterall they have to live upto their reputation of the most reluctant America's Railroad who have to always be pushed kicking and screaming into doing what they are chartered to do.

 

[Rasputin]

Isn't reopening the commissary at Albany one of the long standing goals of the Empire State Rail Passengers Assoc. so that food service can return between Albany and New York City? So far it has been a pretty elusive goal as I understand.

 

[jis]

Isn't reopening the commissary at Albany one of the long standing goals of the Empire State Rail Passengers Assoc. so that food service can return between Albany and New York City? So far it has been a pretty elusive goal as I understand.

Yes. It is. And apparently they have finally managed to get NYSDOT sort of on board, though the extent of the on boarding is not clear to me.

 

[Rasputin]

What was the Dining Car like? Did they serve any traditional Southern specialties at the time you rode it?

I remember that the breakfasts were great and that all meals that I had were delicious but my last trip on the Southern Crescent was in 1975 - 46 years ago and I cannot recall any particular entrees except for a delicious chicken dinner which comes to mind. I believe I have one or two menus from the train and perhaps that will jog my memory.

But what I can recall is the wonderful spirit of the on board crew both in the dining car and in the coaches and sleepers. The employees on the Southern Crescent seemed to enjoy their work and took great pride in their work. I remember how enjoyable it was going to the dining car in the morning. I would pass by the door to the kitchen and I would usually exchange greetings and hold a brief conversation with the chef and the other workers in the kitchen. One of those fine people was Louis Price who had been featured in the Southern's ads for the Southern Crescent and who was tragically killed in the overspeed derailment of the Southern Crescent at Elma, Virginia on December 3, 1978 (caused by gross negligence, probably criminal negligence, on the part of the engine crew). Louis Price's obituary appeared in the New York Times.

 

[OBS]

Isn't reopening the commissary at Albany one of the long standing goals of the Empire State Rail Passengers Assoc. so that food service can return between Albany and New York City? So far it has been a pretty elusive goal as I understand.

They had Foodservice between NYP and ALB long before the Albany Commissary was ever established. It should not be a preventative factor in reestablishing Foodservice....

 

[jis]

They had Foodservice between NYP and ALB long before the Albany Commissary was ever established. It should not be a preventative factor in reestablishing Foodservice....

But whether we like it or not, apparently at present it is.

 

[user 14106]

Nice trains article on the return of traditional dining - offers some insight about the preparation of some items from a chef on the SWC. The omelette I had aboard the SWC did definitely seem made to order - I’m glad I was right. In my opinion the new made to order omlettes over the previous menu and from my previous experiences on board - I’d say the French toast too but that was back very briefly for a January menu refresh right before Covid. Though the presentation of that is spruced up

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-rev...mtrak-reinvents-traditional-dining-car-meals/

 

[joelkfla]

Is it possible that Flex Dining was a vast conspiracy spawned by staff within the bowels of Amtrak to swing the pendulum so far towards awful that public outcry would leave management no choice but to swing the other way?

 

[user 14106]

Is it possible that Flex Dining was a vast conspiracy spawned by staff within the bowels of Amtrak to swing the pendulum so far towards awful that public outcry would leave management no choice but to swing the other way?

I don’t think the plan was ever to keep flex dining on the two nighters indefinitely. Going to flex on the eagle probably was.

 

[daybeers]

Why isn't there even a baggage car on the TE?!?

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Why isn't there even a baggage car on the TE?!?

They're probably using a bag-coach car

 

[daybeers]

They're probably using a bag-coach car

Ahh yes, forgot about those. I don't travel on Superliners often.

 

[tonys96]

Why isn't there even a baggage car on the TE?!?

Because it seems that the Eagle has become a second class train, like the CONO, or worse.
Truly sad situation for my home train, which serves many folks.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Because it seems that the Eagle has become a second class train, like the CONO, or worse.
Truly sad situation for my home train, which serves many folks.

My Eagle Route friends told me there's not enough checked baggage on this Route for a Bag Car, so a Coach Bag is used.( the Austin Agents told me they used to do a good Package Express Bussines which was stopped for some unknown reason!!)

At least the CONO has a Sightseer Lounge( Unstaffed, so there's no Reason the Eagle can't do this) even if the Food Service in the CCC is the same sorry clusterflub!

 

[20th Century Rider]

My Eagle Route friends told me there's not enough checked baggage on this Route for a Bag Car, so a Coach Bag is used.( the Austin Agents told me they used to do a good Package Express Bussines which was stopped for some unknown reason!!)

At least the CONO has a Sightseer Lounge( Unstaffed, so there's no Reason the Eagle can't do this) even if the Food Service in the CCC is the same sorry clusterflub!

So what is the 'estimated conclusion' as to why it was taken off the TE? Is there a chance that refurbishments make this temporary? It makes absolutely no sense to remove the SSL from a two day run. Got two trips coming up on that route.

 

[Bob Dylan]

So what is the 'estimated conclusion' as to why it was taken off the TE? Is there a chance that refurbishments make this temporary? It makes absolutely no sense to remove the SSL from a two day run. Got two trips coming up on that route.

Chances: Slim and None, and Slim just left town!

The Eagles are running FULL on most Days, charging Highest Buckets for Rooms( I saw a couple of days where the Coach Fare CHI-LAX was $285!!!)and only running 4 Car consists between St. Louis and San Antonio ( 1 Sleeping Car, 1 CCC ( with 1 LSA for the Cafe and the Diner, (4 used to staff it), and still slinging Flex Meals, and 2 Coaches, even on #421/#422 Days ( 3 times a week).

None of the Amtrak OBS,( Chicago based) Conductors or Agents I know expect the Sightseer Lounge to ever come back, Ditto for the Traditional Dining! )

 

[Sidney]

Chances: Slim and None, and Slim just left town!

The Eagles are running FULL on most Days, charging Highest Buckets for Rooms( I saw a couple of days where the Coach Fare CHI-LAX was $285!!!)and only running 4 Car consists between St. Louis and San Antonio ( 1 Sleeping Car, 1 CCC ( with 1 LSA for the Cafe and the Diner, (4 used to staff it), and still slinging Flex Meals, and 2 Coaches, even on #421/#422 Days ( 3 times a week).

None of the Amtrak OBS,( Chicago based) Conductors or Agents I know expect the Sightseer Lounge to ever come back, Ditto for the Traditional Dining! )

And unless I have to go to Dallas or Fort Worth I will never ride the Eagle again. Is there any logical explanation why the sightseer car was taken off? Of course there isn't

 

[20th Century Rider]

Chances: Slim and None, and Slim just left town!

The Eagles are running FULL on most Days, charging Highest Buckets for Rooms( I saw a couple of days where the Coach Fare CHI-LAX was $285!!!)and only running 4 Car consists between St. Louis and San Antonio ( 1 Sleeping Car, 1 CCC ( with 1 LSA for the Cafe and the Diner, (4 used to staff it), and still slinging Flex Meals, and 2 Coaches, even on #421/#422 Days ( 3 times a week).

None of the Amtrak OBS,( Chicago based) Conductors or Agents I know expect the Sightseer Lounge to ever come back, Ditto for the Traditional Dining! )

Thank you Jim... my new attitude is 'self sufficiency and the view out the window.' But it certainly won't be the SSL windows to look up at the St. Louis Arch! My tactic is to order the kosher meals for that segment... mostly the salmon option... and bring some healthy nibbles... nuts, sturdy cheese, and of course the allowable moonshine. I do have a run on the Sunset Limited connecting at NOL for NYP. Am keeping my expectations low and will concentrate on the that window view... the haunting tune of the whistle, and all things RR. A good attitude can make the best of things even better... yup... indeed I have reoriented myself with low expectations with the the goal of 'getting lost with the view and enjoying the ride!' TE here I come!

 

[20th Century Rider]

And unless I have to go to Dallas or Fort Worth I will never ride the Eagle again. Is there any logical explanation why the sightseer car was taken off? Of course there isn't

We are all in a state of mourning RE TE cutbacks. I was able the get the H room on two TE runs and on the Sunset Limited for another. Low bucket for 2 and mid bucket for 1. I am taking it as it comes... just get a good agent to find things for you and if they find a low bucket be prepared to snag it!

 

[jis]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Infamous Subway Expieriment on these Trains!

A total Cluster Flub for sure!

But as most of us know, there's no real reason the Cafe Cars can't be Stocked,Open and serving between NYP and ALB.

Money... and an agreement between the provider of it (NY SDOT) and consumer of it (Amtrak). There is not an agreement so far. Money is way more real reason for most of these things than people like to give it credit for.

BTW, regarding TE, it has a very checkered history at Amtrak. It was not part of the original system. The chosen Chicago - Texas train was the Texas Chief, which of course has disappeared since then after becoming the Lone Star for a while. The so called Inter-American back then was introduced later and somehow stumbled along running three times a week. It has not always enjoyed the amount of support that it did for a while in the recent past. It was teetering on the brink when Kay Bailey Hutchinson resurrected it into a daily train with 4 days a week extension to LAX. Before that it was a thrice a week train teetering on the brink for years. It probably needs another boost again. Its influential support and advocacy group also seems to have gone dormant of late. Hard to tell how things will turn out.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Money... and an agreement between the provider of it (NY SDOT) and consumer of it (Amtrak). There is not an agreement so far. Money is way more real reason for most of these things than people like to give it credit for.

BTW, regarding TE, it has a very checkered history at Amtrak. It was not part of the original system. The chosen Chicago - Texas train was the Texas Chief, which of course has disappeared since then after becoming the Lone Star for a while. The so called Inter-American back then was introduced later and somehow stumbled along running three times a week. It has not always enjoyed the amount of support that it did for a while in the recent past. It was teetering on the brink when Kay Bailey Hutchinson resurrected it into a daily train with 4 days a week extension to LAX. Before that it was a thrice a week train teetering on the brink for years. It probably needs another boost again. Its influential support and advocacy group also seems to have gone dormant of late. Hard to tell how things will turn out.

True jis! And Texas Politicians are mostly basically Worthless when it comes to Amtrak.

I don't know what happened with TEMPO, they used to really be involved with the Eagle when it was a Proud Train, but now it's the Orphan of the Amtrak LD Syste.!

 

[PaTrainFan]

True jis! And Texas Politicians are mostly basically Worthless when it comes to Amtrak.

Remember Kay Bailey Hutchinson? Former Republican senator? One of Amtrak's biggest boosters back in the day. Times sure have changed.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Remember Kay Bailey Hutchinson? Former Republican senator? One of Amtrak's biggest boosters back in the day. Times sure have changed.

Yep, only Republican I ever Voted for!

 

[20th Century Rider]

Wish I could have at least been on the real Texas Eagle's last ride.It was a sad day.