Capitol Limited discussion 2023 Q4 - 2024

[Cal]

The Harpers Ferry bridges were on fire for a time today. That canceled 29 and 30.

But why not just run 30 to Pittsburgh and then let the people take 42, or better yet, run 30 through Harrisburg?

29 could have gone up to Philadelphia and turned left to Harrisburg. So why doesn't Amtrak have some sort of detour plan when bad things happen?

jb

I think because it was pretty last-minute they didn't have a detour ready. I dont think they could run superliners up the NEC due to tunnels, and getting a last-minute detour via CSX or NS seems hard to achieve (I think when service disruptions like this happen, cancelations are far more frequent than a detour).

 

[zephyr17]

I dont think they could run superliners up the NEC due to tunnels

That's correct, Superliners will not clear the Baltimore tunnels.

 

[SubwayNut]

Thanks for the explanation of why the Capitol Limited is canceled. I'm currently riding coach on the 2.5 hour late Lake Shore and fully expect this train to become a completely full madhouse starting in Cleveland with all the Capitol Limited's passengers.

 

[BlackDiamond]

The Harpers Ferry bridges were on fire for a time today. That canceled 29 and 30.

But why not just run 30 to Pittsburgh and then let the people take 42,

I wonder if they have ever terminated/originated 30/29 at Pittsburgh?
Perhaps the station is not equipped to do this, for example restocking the diner.

 

[Amtrak25]

I have been on a bus bridge between DC and Pittsburgh. But that was when the AM #30 was cancelled. This time #30 made it through (15 mins late), but 29 could not leave, therefore no train sitting at Pittsburgh.

Superliners will not be there come November when it will be thru-routed with the Silver Star. Then they could reroute via Philly.

 

[west point]

I have been on a bus bridge between DC and Pittsburgh. But that was when the AM #30 was cancelled. This time #30 made it through (15 mins late), but 29 could not leave, therefore no train sitting at Pittsburgh.

Superliners will not be there come November when it will be thru-routed with the Silver Star. Then they could reroute via Philly.

Now what is needed for situations whenever trains cannot operate directly WAS <> Pittsburg is for Amtrak to get back occasional track rights on NS from Harve de Grace to Harrisburg so a detours of Capitol can operate WAS - PIT. Schedule Capitol so it can combine with Pennsylvanian at HAR. That is "IF" Superliners can have clearances that route. Otherwise "IF" Capitol becomes single level make arrangements for detours.

 

[west point]

Why the delay? Is Amtrak waiting for LIRR to get a final schedule for GCT trains? Or is it something else such as parts finding someone to actually construct something that has not been built in how knows long ago?

 

[chadamfleetrailfan]

It looks like tonight's (7/10/24) #29 headed towards Chicago from DC had a special treat on it. A dash 8 locomotive deadheading behind the phase 7 charger leader.




It was neat to see this on it as this route does not see a lot of dash 8s on its route.

 

[pennyk]

Moderator Note: to continue the discussion about the rumored combined Silver Star and Capitol Limited, please post your comments here:
https://www.amtraktrains.com/thread...om-mia-to-chi-rumor.87740/page-2#post-1045961

 

[chadamfleetrailfan]

As a treat for tonight's (8/5) #30 from Chicago-DC, there was a 9800 Metroliner car behind the leader. It was not utilized for revenue service (as it is in front of the baggage car), but still cool to see as it headed to DC.

 

[DCAKen]

View attachment 37367

As a treat for tonight's (8/5) #30 from Chicago-DC, there was a 9800 Metroliner car behind the leader. It was not utilized for revenue service (as it is in front of the baggage car), but still cool to see as it headed to DC.

And yesterday's 30(4) had what appeared to be a Heritage sleeper on it.

 

[blueman271]

Does the CL serve dinner departing Chicago and if so around what time?

 

[jis]

Does the CL serve dinner departing Chicago and if so around what time?

My past experience has been that it serves dinner immediately upon departure. When I traveled they took dinner reservations in the Chicago Lounge, but that was with Traditional Dining. With Flex it is possible they take orders after boarding the train.

 

[joelkfla]

And yesterday's 30(4) had what appeared to be a Heritage sleeper on it.

 

[NEPATrainTraveler]

Does the CL serve dinner departing Chicago and if so around what time?

When I rode it last year it did, but since we departed late, I didn't get dinner until around 9 PM.

My past experience has been that it serves dinner immediately upon departure. When I traveled they took dinner reservations in the Chicago Lounge, but that was with Traditional Dining. With Flex it is possible they take orders after boarding the train.

My dinner order was taken after boarding.

 

[jis]

View attachment 37374

View attachment 37375

Pacific Bend is an Amtrak Departmental Car used for staff traveling with the executives in American View and such, or just for transporting departmental folks and stuff.

 

[dinoscool3]

Am I correct that the CL regular consist does not include a lounge car? Tempted to take it from WAS-PGH, and even though it is a day trip tempted to take a roomette for some extra space and a meal.

 

[UserNameRequired]

I believe the CL has the CCC car which seems to be 1/2 diner for sleeper riders and 1/2 cafe for coach riders. I don’t know if you can use the dining area as a lounge during non-eating times though…. Cross Country Cafe. The downstairs of the CCC is a staff only kitchen area.

 

[zephyr17]

Am I correct that the CL regular consist does not include a lounge car? Tempted to take it from WAS-PGH, and even though it is a day trip tempted to take a roomette for some extra space and a meal.

Yep, it has a Diner-Lounge (aka "Cross Country Cafe". It only has 4 tables on the "lounge" side. Don't know if passengers are allowing to use them. Pretty sure passengers cannot use the greater number of tables on the diner side except at meal service.

I would not pay roomette prices just to get a Flex meal myself.

 

[John Bredin]

I would not pay roomette prices just to get a Flex meal myself.

And yet there's no way to take Amtrak between the Midwest and East Coast otherwise.

 

[jis]

And yet there's no way to take Amtrak between the Midwest and East Coast otherwise.

Lake Shore Limited? Cardinal?

 

[John Bredin]

Lake Shore Limited? Cardinal?

Both serve flex like the Cap, unless something changed since the last time I paid attention to which LD routes serve flex and which serve traditional dining.

 

[zephyr17]

And yet there's no way to take Amtrak between the Midwest and East Coast otherwise.

I was responding to a post about getting a roomette WAS-PGH because the poster would get a meal. The meal is not worth an unnecessary roomette fare for a trip that isn't overnight.

I do take East Coast-Midwest sleepers, but I do it for a berth overnight, not the meals.

 

[John Bredin]

I was responding to a post about getting a roomette WAS-PGH because the poster would get a meal. The meal is not worth an unnecessary roomette fare for a trip that isn't overnight.

I do take East Coast-Midwest sleepers, but I do it for a berth overnight, not the meals.

Sorry, misunderstood, context matters.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Lake Shore Limited? Cardinal?

Both serve Flex meals and have No Lounge, and have High Bucket Sleepers!

Flying is a much better deal IMO. YMMV.