Damaged cafe car on Silver Star 91

[pennyk]

The cafe car on today's (1/11/22) 91 had a pipe leak/burst and they are unable to open it for safety reasons. Maintenance boarded the train when we were in PHL and attempted to fix the problem and were not successful. I am not sure what is being done for the coach passengers who may be hungry and thirsty (but I am curious). I am in a sleeper, so I will be fed.
Will they try to fix in WAS? Will they try to add a NEC cafe car to the consist in WAS? Will they order food and drink for the coach passengers to be delivered to the train? I guess I will find out.

We are running a few minutes late heading to BAL. I have a feeling we will be losing a lot of time in WAS.

More later....

 

[Steve4031]

Hopefully no more than 1 hour. They must have a stray sitting around. And there is a maintenance facility there. They could fix it or replace it.

 

[Bob Dylan]

I agree with Steve, they should be able to fix it during the layover in WAS or should have a spare available @ Washington,even if it's just a Coach they could load with food and drink for the Coach Passengers.

 

[jis]

I am very very tempted to say "Sunnyside strikes again", but I won't.

 

[pennyk]

We left WAS virtually on time. As of now, I have no idea if the pipe was fixed. I have heard no announcements either way. I know that there was not enough time to add another car. Maybe not enough time to fix something. I plan to go to the dining car for a cup of hot tea so I will try to find out.

 

[Bob Dylan]

We left WAS virtually on time. As of now, I have no idea if the pipe was fixed. I have heard no announcements either way. I know that there was not enough time to add another car. Maybe not enough time to fix something. I plan to go to the dining car for a cup of hot tea so I will try to find out.

Glad you're on time, perhaps they'll serve Coach Passengers out of the Diner ( CCC) like they do on the Eaglette,CONO and Cap if they weren't able to fix the Cafe/Lounge Car!

 

[pennyk]

Glad you're on time, perhaps they'll serve Coach Passengers out of the Diner ( CCC) like they do on the Eaglette,CONO and Cap if they weren't able to fix the Cafe/Lounge Car!

It was not fixed. I think they will have the cafe attendant serve cafe food out of the cafe side of the dining car (but not sure). I think coach passengers are quite upset.

 

[daybeers]

I think coach passengers are quite upset.

Understandably. I would be.

 

[Bob Dylan]

At least there's 2 LSAs on the Train unlike the poor Staff on the Orphan Trains that make 1 LSA serve Speeper Passengers their Meals as well as run the Cafe in their " Spare Time".

Keep us updated, it'll be good to get back to where it's warm I'm sure!

 

[Eric in East County]

During our trip west on the SWC last summer, the entire Café/Sightseer Lounge car had to be removed from the consist in Las Vagas, NM due to a broken stabilizer bar. All of the food was transferred to the dining car and coach passengers were allowed to purchase it there.

 

[pennyk]

Somehow they managed to stabilize things enough to open half of the cafe. I walked through there not too long ago and figured it would be slammed, but it was not. I am finishing dinner now and will walk through again to see how things are going. I am pleased that they managed to work things out to provide food to coach passengers on a very long trip.

 

[RebelRider]

This shouldn't be a problem. Per the Service Standards Manual:

Complete water failure in a Lounge car will require handwashing be performed in adjoining car with glove use for all food handling/preparation services. If available, bottled water or an unplugged 36 cup coffee maker can be used as a temporary substitute for a handwashing sink. All efforts should be made to utilize prepackaged foods and avoid dispensing ice if water is not available. If cold water is available, service can continue.

 

[PVD]

depends which pipe and where..

 

[pennyk]

This shouldn't be a problem. Per the Service Standards Manual:

I am guessing they finally figured that out after several hours of coach passengers not having access to food or drink.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

This shouldn't be a problem. Per the Service Standards Manual:

I can’t say I’ve ever seen a cafe car attendant wash hands before dispensing ice or heating food after handling money, etc. So doesn’t seem like this would be a big issue anyways. Haha.