Business Class in long distance trains

[fdaley]

Out of curiosity, were you facing backwards to the direction of travel?

I would guess that was a rare occurrence. Every photo/video I've seen of LSL business class has the seating area at the front of the car and the cafe to the back.

We were in Room H in the Boston sleeper, which was at the front end of the car, right behind the locomotive. When I walked back into the cafe, I reached the table end first, which was a surprise to me because I had seen business class in that position on a previous trip. I could see the business class seats beyond the cafe counter, and there were people coming and going through there from the coaches. I don't actually recall if the BC seats were facing forward or backward.

I had thought about trying to go back to one of the tables to eat our flex dinner, but a couple of them were occupied by crew, and at least one other was piled high with supplies for the cafe. And of course, there was no way to get a wheelchair back there without going outside and along a platform at one of the stops.

 

[OBS]

Over the course of many years, I have seen the business class car occasionally turned with tables next to sleeper. This is usually due to a last minute shop of regular BC car and no time or effort available to ensure the replacement car is "turned" correctly.

 

[Amtrak25]

It is normally a Chicago based Am-1 Biz-dinette car. Notice there is no "Northeast Regional" decal. But once in a blue moon, they sub a NEC car.

In 2017 for a few trips, they ran a 60-seat NEC Regional Business car, labeled as such, in place of an Amfleet-2 coach on the Boston section of 448. The coach attendant had quite a time keeping Business class people out of it when boarding in Chicago.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Yes...No speculation...LOL

The Gospel from someone who knows!

 

[trimetbusfan]

now that the Cafe Car is being replaced with vending machines.

What's that all about?

 

[Chatter163]

I last rode on the LSL business class last summer. I was able to get drinks at no charge from the lounge attendant, as when I have previously ridden BC on the Vermonter. BC was the last car on the train, so I could see out the back.

 

[Amtrak25]

On 448 4 years ago, and on a Regional train last summer, I was entitled to ONE drink. The coffee receipt states the cost, free to such a customer, as about double what it is to a coach passenger. So business class accomodation charge subsidizes the cafe car, and charges the business line more than retail.

 

[daybeers]

On 448 4 years ago, and on a Regional train last summer, I was entitled to ONE drink. The coffee receipt states the cost, free to such a customer, as about double what it is to a coach passenger. So business class accomodation charge subsidizes the cafe car, and charges the business line more than retail.

LOLL what bogus accounting.

 

[20th Century Rider]

I had considered BC on the CS due to the rising cost of sleeper service; but as of late most perks have been removed... except for one bottle of water. In the past they provided a $6 voucher for the cafe; earlier than that there was an invite to the parlour car for the wine sampling [now all gone] and... so... the only advantage seems to be that it's quieter because fewer pax want to pay extra for seats that are basically the same as regular coach. Am I missing something? Seems to be part of an overall diminishing service.

The cost difference between BC and coach on the CS brings to question its justification. In the example below for Wednesday June 22, there is a $57 difference that can cover much of the cost of food purchased in the cafe.

Egads! And the difference between coach and roomette is over $1500! Woah!

 

[20th Century Rider]

I had considered BC on the CS due to the rising cost of sleeper service; but as of late most perks have been removed... except for one bottle of water. In the past they provided a $6 voucher for the cafe; earlier than that there was an invite to the parlour car for the wine sampling [now all gone] and... so... the only advantage seems to be that it's quieter because fewer pax want to pay extra for seats that are basically the same as regular coach. Am I missing something? Seems to be part of an overall diminishing service.

The cost difference between BC and coach on the CS brings to question its justification. In the example below for Wednesday June 22, there is a $57 difference that can cover much of the cost of food purchased in the cafe.

Egads! And the difference between coach and roomette is over $1500! Woah!

Oops... here's the snapshot I forgot to include...

 

[Sidney]

I had considered BC on the CS due to the rising cost of sleeper service; but as of late most perks have been removed... except for one bottle of water. In the past they provided a $6 voucher for the cafe; earlier than that there was an invite to the parlour car for the wine sampling [now all gone] and... so... the only advantage seems to be that it's quieter because fewer pax want to pay extra for seats that are basically the same as regular coach. Am I missing something? Seems to be part of an overall diminishing service.

The cost difference between BC and coach on the CS brings to question its justification. In the example below for Wednesday June 22, there is a $57 difference that can cover much of the cost of food purchased in the cafe.

Egads! And the difference between coach and roomette is over $1500! Woah!

I 'm using the Coast Starlight as part of a circle trip in August. Roomettes from LA to Portland were over $700. No way I an paying that for a one night trip. I opted for BC,paying $50 more than Coach hoping that I can get both seats to myself. Only other advantage is you can buy dinner in the diner,the only meal worth paying for.

 

[Cal]

I had considered BC on the CS due to the rising cost of sleeper service; but as of late most perks have been removed... except for one bottle of water. In the past they provided a $6 voucher for the cafe; earlier than that there was an invite to the parlour car for the wine sampling [now all gone] and... so... the only advantage seems to be that it's quieter because fewer pax want to pay extra for seats that are basically the same as regular coach. Am I missing something? Seems to be part of an overall diminishing service.

The cost difference between BC and coach on the CS brings to question its justification. In the example below for Wednesday June 22, there is a $57 difference that can cover much of the cost of food purchased in the cafe.

Egads! And the difference between coach and roomette is over $1500! Woah!

You get access to the dining car, which is a big plus IMO. But you must pay.

 

[20th Century Rider]

I 'm using the Coast Starlight as part of a circle trip in August. Roomettes from LA to Portland were over $700. No way I an paying that for a one night trip. I opted for BC,paying $50 more than Coach hoping that I can get both seats to myself. Only other advantage is you can buy dinner in the diner,the only meal worth paying for.

You get access to the dining car, which is a big plus IMO. But you must pay.

Yes... I agree... the dinner with included wine can make the trip memorable... and if BC is not crowded it's most likely worth it because an empty seat next to you makes a huge difference. I guess I should stop fretting about the better service with lower fares from the not so distant past... everyone everywhere is now experiencing inflation and devaluation of service.

Will soon be making a res for a circle trip... EUG - EMY - CHI / visit with friends there that I met years ago / then return CHI - LAX - EUG... pay whatever it costs... in sleepers... and enjoy the trip... because it's on a train!!!

 

[Willbridge]

I've ridden BC on Trains 11 and 14 a couple of times in each direction between PDX and SAC/DAV and the only time that I needed to share a seat was just after Thanksgiving weekend when Tech students were returning to KFS from Willamette Valley points and once between DUN and KFS. It was still more comfortable than the alternatives.

 

[Chris I]

I 'm using the Coast Starlight as part of a circle trip in August. Roomettes from LA to Portland were over $700. No way I an paying that for a one night trip. I opted for BC,paying $50 more than Coach hoping that I can get both seats to myself. Only other advantage is you can buy dinner in the diner,the only meal worth paying for.

Just as a warning: on our recent CS trip (3 weeks ago), we were pretty much full in every car (except Business) and the dining car staff were not seating any Business passengers for dinner. I think to-go was an option...

That said, had we not been in a sleeper, I see Business Class as the only other viable option on a full CS train. We only had two coach cars, one of which was a coach/baggage, so every single seat was full. The coach cars got pretty ripe after just a few hours, but the Business car seemed to remain fairly pleasant for entire trip. Seems to be well-worth the small increase in price.

 

[Cal]

Just as a warning: on our recent CS trip (3 weeks ago), we were pretty much full in every car (except Business) and the dining car staff were not seating any Business passengers for dinner. I think to-go was an option...

During my December trip when the train was packed we were allowed to eat in the diner on the way there, but on the way back it was even fuller so they only had delivery for business.

 

[Rambling Robert]

On a late spring ultra LD (132h trip) I purchased a reasonably priced roomette PDX to LAX. On another thread I wondered whether if I’d be facing the ocean - if I decide to travel BC can thus happen say, while waiting in PDX?

I definitely would like the dining car for dinner and RR French Toast. Having a window seat facing west would be important for camerawork I’ll be doing. I’ve shared seating a few times and it worked out all but one time.

I’m semi disabled - slow walking with about a 200-500 foot range - depending on benches. How does Amtrak recognize someone like me?