jis
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Amtrak FY22 Grant Request
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Help Support Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum:
"With the Amfleet II refurbishment now complete, Superliner and Viewliner I interiors will receive new cushions and upholstery coverings, carpets, curtains, and light coverings and deep cleaning in coaches, sleeping cars and dining cars."
" Superliners. While Amtrak is developing plans for replacing Superliner equipment, acquisition of replacements is beyond the five-year scope of this plan."
"We need Congress to provide Amtrak with the tools necessary to enforce our statutory right to preference. "
I see these as some good signs.
" Superliners. While Amtrak is developing plans for replacing Superliner equipment, acquisition of replacements is beyond the five-year scope of this plan."
"We need Congress to provide Amtrak with the tools necessary to enforce our statutory right to preference. "
I see these as some good signs.
Nope, this wouldnt work,not enough Headroom and No Windows in the Coffins!
I'd like to see some of the Sleepers be turned into All Bedroom Cars like the Auto Train has for the 2 Night LD Trains( more Revenue), and the Sightseer Lounges refurbished and remodeled since they plan on keeping them off three of the LD Trains( CONO,TE,CAP)when Daily Service Returns!
I was talking about like the red seats, wood finishes, new doors, the new tray table, etc. Not the windows and sink.
I don't know how an all bedroom car would do on other LD trains, I think the current layout is fine. SSL's refurbished? YES
Well they will have to do a LOT of work for that!
I want the interior to be the same as the VII's in terms of power plugs, lighting, tray table, and finishes!
You'll be lucky if your Train has a Sightseer Lounge!!( as of now the Texas Eagle,CONO and Cap Ltd. wont!
)Be realistic. Amtrak is not going to do overhauls; these are cosmetic changes, just as they did with the Amfleets.
That's what I was thinking...reupholster and recover the seats, replace carpets, change to LED lighting, improve faucets in sinks, etc....
This Superliner refresh will be cosmetic but it will only be for the short term. A major rebuild might be on the horizon if the Superliners are found structurally fit.
Also, the whole idea for going with a modular design is the ability to swap out old modules for new ones when rebuild time comes. If the Superliners are found to be structurally sound Amtrak will "just" need to swap out modules to create a brand new passenger environment. Same with the Viewliner I. Mechanicals of course are a different story that will need to be addressed separately.
I would also love to see some more substantial changes to the Superliners like adding Sightseer upper dome windows to the bedrooms to make the space and upper bunks truly transformational. I also have a tread about putting two Accessible Bedrooms in the Sightseer Lounges (replacing lower lounge) to better satisfy ADA requirements (with waiver?) by allowing much better wheelchair access to the Diner and Lounge. This would also allow the Sightseer Lounges to generate additional room revenue and just about guarantees that every major LD train will retain them. Also it will generate additional room revenue since H rooms in present Superliner Sleepers can be converted into additional family rooms or large double bedrooms.
Just thinking outside the body shell I guess.
Also, the whole idea for going with a modular design is the ability to swap out old modules for new ones when rebuild time comes. If the Superliners are found to be structurally sound Amtrak will "just" need to swap out modules to create a brand new passenger environment. Same with the Viewliner I. Mechanicals of course are a different story that will need to be addressed separately.
I would also love to see some more substantial changes to the Superliners like adding Sightseer upper dome windows to the bedrooms to make the space and upper bunks truly transformational. I also have a tread about putting two Accessible Bedrooms in the Sightseer Lounges (replacing lower lounge) to better satisfy ADA requirements (with waiver?) by allowing much better wheelchair access to the Diner and Lounge. This would also allow the Sightseer Lounges to generate additional room revenue and just about guarantees that every major LD train will retain them. Also it will generate additional room revenue since H rooms in present Superliner Sleepers can be converted into additional family rooms or large double bedrooms.
Just thinking outside the body shell I guess.
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jis
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Whatever makes you imagine that the Superliners have a modular design like the Viewliners?
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I didn't read cocojacoby's comment indicating that SL design is currently modular but that "going with a modular design" [now] would help in future refurbs.Whatever makes you imagine that the Superliners have a modular design like the Viewliners?
However, let's wait to see exactly what he meant.
jis
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Which brings up an issue that has intrigued me. Has anyone ever really changed out a module in any of the Viewliners ever? Has it really proved to be easier to modfy the layout inside when compared to a normal tear down and rebuild? Or is it all theoretical so far?
Whatever makes you imagine that the Superliners have a modular design like the Viewliners?
I was lucky enough to visit the Bombardier facility in Vermont when the IIs were being built. I remember during the tour that the guide person mentioned that they came up with a way to bring the modules in through the ends of the car instead of through the plug door.
FYI: Amtrak Superliner I Remanufacture
jis
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All car interiors are assembled from modules of stuff. The question is how complete are the modules. Is the entire toilet a module or is it built from multiple modules in place. For the Super I toilet replacements the toilets were actually built in place from three modlues as I seem to recall, and they were not inserted through the end of the car but through the door.
How would they insert modules for the lower floor through the ends? There is no clear path from the ends to the lower floor.
I agree that it is good glossy that you point to but you do realize that most of it did not happen to Superliner Is. They just got a cosmetic refurbishment with faux wood paneling and all that. The electrical and plumbing (except for the at speed disposal system) was not touched. There may have been a more elaborate project planned. But it was not funded and it did not happen. We lived through it.
Somewhere in this AU site there is a long write-up by @AlanB about it, that I cannot find right now.
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Mailliw
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I would be happy just with thicker blankets in the sleepers. Or at least sew two of them together with the blankets they already have in stock.
Oh, and have them branded, too. (Mentioning for a friend.)
Oh, and have them branded, too. (Mentioning for a friend.)
In the grant request it also states that surfliner cars will be overhauled. I'm glad that they are planning this because those seats have stains and are starting to wear down. It will probably look like the new Venture car seats with more leg room, as shown below. 
It would be interesting to see what they mean by overhaul. Doesn’t clarify if hvac issues and toilet issues could be addressed.
I would love a Surfliner overhaul! I love the look of the superliners and California cars, upgrading the interior is better than new cars for me.
I very much would like for this to be the case. I am a huge fan of the Superliners, and knowing that a completely new car design and construction of bilevels is likely prohibitively expensive to Amtrak, it would be great if they can make a complete overhaul work. But, I am skeptical this can and will happen. Realistically railcars can't last forever, though VIA seems to be making a good faith effort with their Budd cars!
