Also, a land cruise is not the job of a taxpayer subsidized railroad. If the Rocky Mountaineer people want to cater to that group, great, but Amtrak needs to focus on affordable, pleasant, reliable transportation for regular people. VIA is a disaster outside the corridors. That’s the last thing we need.Well they will have to do a LOT of work for that!
During the speech at Amtrak 50th anniversary event the current administration want to give 2/3 of 10 billion dollars every year to Amtrak. That around 6.5 billion and it should be more than enough for Amtrak to replace or fully rebuild the Superliners. The future of Amtrak looks bright.
Also, a land cruise is not the job of a taxpayer subsidized railroad. If the Rocky Mountaineer people want to cater to that group, great, but Amtrak needs to focus on affordable, pleasant, reliable transportation for regular people. VIA is a disaster outside the corridors. That’s the last thing we need.
How so?VIA is a disaster outside the corridors.
How are these design flaws again? Surely they worked when they were brand new, I would think this is just poor maintence over the years.I totally agree. The AC works poorly, temp controls are a joke. Many design flaws.,
It's non-existent except as a tourist oriented service running 1-3 times a week plus a handful of essential service routes like the Winnipeg-Churchill train.How so?
It might not be the most useful, but a disaster? I wouldn't call it thatIt's non-existent except as a tourist oriented service running 1-3 times a week plus a handful of essential service routes like the Winnipeg-Churchill train.
In Amtrak's world, experiential means upgraded. This probably means supporting enhanced dining, not flex dining in its current form. But I still hold that Amtrak has no interest in the "experiential" model in the east, outside of Auto Train, which is unfortunate." In addition to the aforementioned funding for long-distance service, authorize a separate program to improve the customer experience on long-distance trains. This program would support: Wi-Fi service; experiential food and beverage service; interior refreshes; and enhanced stations, among other improvements. "
Thoughts?
How are these design flaws again? Surely they worked when they were brand new, I would think this is just poor maintence over the years.
The Superliners just need a major interior refresh and upgrade. Increasing the top speed would be good too. I don't think we necessarily need new cars for LD service.
The cars won't last forever, you're right. However the cars are still working now (and so are VIA's heritage sleepers), albeit with issues. An overhaul and refresh (maybe with some design changes for more plugs, better curtains, etc) would be fine IMHO.How long do you think these cars can keep on running? Weren't they introduced around 1979? I don't think they are as well built as Budd cars of the 1940s-1950s. A refresh would be OK if they were sold to a less developed country where abor is cheap but don't you think the US could do a little better? I know that some people here just don't agree but I consider converting the original Roomette design for one person to a room for two to be a flaw. It's simply too small for two people, especially today's super sized Americans. Aside from that, however, more storage space is needed. I realize that in 1979 there were fewer electronics so the lack of enough outlets was not a flaw, rather it's become a problem. There needs to be moe storage space in the Roomettes (solved by returning them to single use), the lack of room keys is a serious drawback, door curtains never really work well etc. You're right that poor AC is due to age.
Reminds me of comments many many years ago about Fords ("Fix Or Repair Daily")Confidential memo to all Amtrak Beech Grove managers.
re: Superliners
Work order
Completely disassemble and reassemble using new parts.
I have heard the same, except that it was in the days when cars had ash trays, and the comment substituted the ash tray for the radiator capReminds me of comments many many years ago about Fords ("Fix Or Repair Daily")
- Open hood
- Remove radiator cap
- Replace everything else
- Put radiator cap back on
The cars won't last forever, you're right. However the cars are still working now (and so are VIA's heritage sleepers), albeit with issues. An overhaul and refresh (maybe with some design changes for more plugs, better curtains, etc) would be fine IMHO.
That's fairI think a country like the US can do better.
Well if you convert the Superliner roomettes to single occupancy you reduce overall capacity to 30, same as Viewliners, which eliminates their advantage over single-level equipment.How long do you think these cars can keep on running? Weren't they introduced around 1979? I don't think they are as well built as Budd cars of the 1940s-1950s. A refresh would be OK if they were sold to a less developed country where abor is cheap but don't you think the US could do a little better? I know that some people here just don't agree but I consider converting the original Roomette design for one person to a room for two to be a flaw. It's simply too small for two people, especially today's super sized Americans. Aside from that, however, more storage space is needed. I realize that in 1979 there were fewer electronics so the lack of enough outlets was not a flaw, rather it's become a problem. There needs to be moe storage space in the Roomettes (solved by returning them to single use), the lack of room keys is a serious drawback, door curtains never really work well etc. You're right that poor AC is due to age.
Sounds good....until you look for those new parts...Confidential memo to all Amtrak Beech Grove managers.
re: Superliners
Work order
Completely disassemble and reassemble using new parts.
Ford also used to stand for (F)ound (O)n (R)oad )"( D)ead!I have heard the same, except that it was in the days when cars had ash trays, and the comment substituted the ash tray for the radiator cap
A Slumbercoach type design could be an alternative however the real solution is a larger subsidy to allow for accommodations suitable to 21st century people in a developed country. Anyway the current Administration may not be replaced by another sympathetic to Amtrak. I see this as a once in a life time opportunity to get a new trans-con fleet. Keep the Superliners and doom long haul trains because these cars just won't last forever. Progressive rail advocacy is about high speed, not overnight sleepers.Well if you convert the Superliner roomettes to single occupancy you reduce overall capacity to 30, same as Viewliners, which eliminates their advantage over single-level equipment.
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