Dedicated Sleeper Lounge/Waiting Area in Seattle?
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Were those NE<>Florida Greyhounds the Sun King Express service?Greyhound Lines had some of its Scenicruiser coaches equipped with individually tuned Motorola radio receiver's in the '50's. They used that type of sound-tube headset, which were sealed in plastic bags, and placed on each seat. They were primarily run on express trips between Miami and northern destinations...
I still have a set in my 'archives'....
During the 1973 energy crisis I went down to our Gray Line of Portland garage and took an inventory of what we had on the rollsigns of our collection of second-hand highway coaches. We were the backup for Continental Trailways if Pacific Trailways couldn't help. I found that our GMC PD4104's had "Portland" on their signs which was great. Less useful, they had Boston and Syracuse, etc. Most interesting, though, were the destinations in the NE and Florida with an added kicker line "Sun King Express". I'm imagining choosing between the rails of ACL or SAL vs. Greyhound on US1 for my 1950's time machine trip.
Note to people unfamiliar with a PD4104 -- in 1973 with the 55 mph speed limit they were fine buses. With the previous 70 or 75 mph limits they struggled.
The "Sun King" was one of a few named expresses between Florida and Northeast or Midwestern destinations. It was a practice of the Southeastern Greyhound Lines whose Cincinnati-Atlanta-Jacksonville express route was their pride and joy main line. Their Scenicruiser's were the ones initially equipped with those Motorola radio's in the package racks. SEG had premium services dating back to ACF-Brilll's prior to that, and also had hostess service at one time. Other runs were the "Sun Maid" or the "Sun Chief"...
trainman74
Conductor
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crescent-zephyr
Engineer
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I’ve only used it once. I’ll grab a Starbucks and enjoy the beautiful waiting room or the courtyards.
I wish they had done a really nice lounge in one of the historic spaces on the ground floor.
It's pretty small, and isn't that nice compared to others. The entrance is also a bit weird. Could've done much nicer considering it has Surfliner service and a good amount of LD trains
I agree, I really like the Metro Lounge there even if it's small, and Union Station is my favorite Amtrak Station.I think it's simply a matter of perspective.
rickycourtney
Conductor
The city of Seattle purchased King Street Station from the BNSF Railway in 2008 for $10... then plowed $50 million dollars into a stunningly beautiful renovation project.
Once it was over, the city tried to recoup some of that money by seeking lucrative leases. Faced with those costs, Amtrak didn’t want to pay, neither WSDOT, and so there was no space to build a Metropolitan Lounge. Greyhound also intended to move to the station, but balked at the cost, so WSDOT found them a pretty good location for a new station.
Ultimately Seattle hasn’t found anyone to sign a lease inside King Street Station... so it’s stayed mostly vacant... generating no money.
Los Angeles is a similar but slightly different situation. The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority makes big bucks renting out spaces to the movie industry and private events. To dedicate a grand space like
that to a Metropolitan Lounge, they’d need to be properly compensated. That recently happened when a new restaurant inside the old Harvey House. Amtrak didn’t want to pay that much, so instead they repurposed a second floor room they already leased, in a part of the station never intended to be seen by passengers.
So ultimately it’s all about the Benjamin’s, and how much Amtrak wants to spend.
As to the OP’s question... if you want a more luxurious place to wait with adult beverages and food... head across the courtyard to 13 Coins.
Once it was over, the city tried to recoup some of that money by seeking lucrative leases. Faced with those costs, Amtrak didn’t want to pay, neither WSDOT, and so there was no space to build a Metropolitan Lounge. Greyhound also intended to move to the station, but balked at the cost, so WSDOT found them a pretty good location for a new station.
Ultimately Seattle hasn’t found anyone to sign a lease inside King Street Station... so it’s stayed mostly vacant... generating no money.
Los Angeles is a similar but slightly different situation. The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority makes big bucks renting out spaces to the movie industry and private events. To dedicate a grand space like
that to a Metropolitan Lounge, they’d need to be properly compensated. That recently happened when a new restaurant inside the old Harvey House. Amtrak didn’t want to pay that much, so instead they repurposed a second floor room they already leased, in a part of the station never intended to be seen by passengers.
So ultimately it’s all about the Benjamin’s, and how much Amtrak wants to spend.
As to the OP’s question... if you want a more luxurious place to wait with adult beverages and food... head across the courtyard to 13 Coins.
neroden
Engineer
It was surprising at the time they did the reno that they didn't make space for a lounge. The WSDOT and city responses when asked were that Amtrak hadn't asked for space. The city has rentable space in the station which they've been unable to rent to anyone -- they may have been asking for too much money, but surely they'll have brought their asking price down by now -- so Amtrak really should go ahead and rent some of it for a lounge. But the various Amtrak managements over the years have not been interested in improving the customer experience.
Big Green Chauvanist
Service Attendant
True. The renovation of the main waiting room, aka the Great Hall, was beautifully executed, but stopped there. There is room even on that level for a first- and business- class lounge. I took tours when the renovation was ongoing. The former women's waiting room (I believe it is depicted in the below picture) was thought to be a possible location for such a lounge. It is now closed off behind a wall, either empty or used for storage. There is also space on the second and third floors. The station is now owned by the city of Seattle. It was more interested in putting a non-travel related art gallery in part of that space. I don't know what agreements were made between Amtrak and the city as to whether Amtrak would have any say in the matter [of a lounge] or if the city of Seattle solely decides how to use excess space. World War II photos of the main floor (Great Hall) show a lunch counter and souvenir shop, all in the same square footage as today. Those amenities were not added when the Great Hall was renovated, so there are really no passenger amenities at the station at all. Which is a shame.
The newsstand was there past WWII. I think it survived the modernization and was operating during the World's Fair and perhaps into 1966. I know that I saw it but can't recall when it vanished. Portland's survived all the way through the years with about the same volume due to a better leasing situation and a reputation in the community as a handy place for convenience or media purchases.
neroden
Engineer
During the reno, the city was asked more than once about having an Amtrak first-class lounge, and said they'd be happy to provide space if Amtrak requested it, but Amtrak didn't want to open one. So if you want one... pressure Amtrak. It's changed managements several times since then, so it might happen.
rickycourtney
Conductor
Agreed that Amtrak needs to be pressured. WSDOT and Washington State lawmakers also need to be pressured.
Amtrak has two departures per day that would use the lounge: the CS and EB. WSDOT's Cascades service has six daily departures from Seattle... eventually that will go up to eight departures. I would imagine Amtrak would want to split the costs of the lounge based on the number of departures or the passengers using the facility.
Honestly, IMHO the Cascades Business class is pretty lame when it comes to amenities. Having a Metropolitan Lounge in SEA with complimentary drinks and snacks --and expanding the hours for the PDX lounge -- would go a long way towards making the service feel more premium and better meet the expectations of business travelers (especially those used to the Alaska Shuttle air service).
Amtrak has two departures per day that would use the lounge: the CS and EB. WSDOT's Cascades service has six daily departures from Seattle... eventually that will go up to eight departures. I would imagine Amtrak would want to split the costs of the lounge based on the number of departures or the passengers using the facility.
Honestly, IMHO the Cascades Business class is pretty lame when it comes to amenities. Having a Metropolitan Lounge in SEA with complimentary drinks and snacks --and expanding the hours for the PDX lounge -- would go a long way towards making the service feel more premium and better meet the expectations of business travelers (especially those used to the Alaska Shuttle air service).
The picture is from a scene in “Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown,” which was released in 1980. The Peanuts gang flies from the East Coast to London before continuing to France. They flew on a 747–the main jet used at the time for transatlantic flights. That was also a time when air travel was more extravagant—even in Coach (Tourist). First Class has gotten way more luxurious, while “Coach” has become more skimpy! In fact, “Coach” is commonly referred to as “Economy.” Seats are narrower and have less legroom. On ultra-cheap airlines like Spirit and Frontier, the seats don’t even recline. Also, everyone used to dress up when flying. Now, street clothes are the norm.
rickycourtney
Conductor
Yes, and with those changes air travel has become far less expensive and therefore accessible to more people. Many would argue that benefits society writ large.
I am a large person, so I need to buy 2 economy seats on a plane. Southwest always refunds the second seat after you fly, because you’re doing them (and other passengers) a favor by being more accommodating. I can fit on Amtrak’s seats if I buy one.
rickycourtney
Conductor
We’re getting off topic... but for the last 54 years, the 737 has had 3x3 seating and the size of the plane limits seat width to 17 inches. It’s a known limitation of the plane, but it’s existed since it’s very beginnings. In fact, a selling point that Airbus uses for the A320 is that the slightly wider fuselage allows for slightly wider seats.
Dakota 400
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It does not appear to have changed since I last was there a few years ago. I found it to be a quite comfortable lounge as I waited between the Sunset Limited and the Southwest Chief. The restroom was well kept and clean.
It's just much small for the amount of patronage through there, especially when people are falling over luggage being held.
Its way too small.
The LA lounge is fine, but it's small. It serves one of their most popular corridor services outside the NEC and 3 (technically four) LD trains. One (two if you count the TE) of which was/is one of the more popular ones. Having it upgraded to be similar to the one in Chicago would be great. And the entrance to it from the station is, not great. When I was there a few weeks ago it took several minutes for the attendant to notice we were there after pressing the call button and knocking. It's also kind of shut away in a corner from the main station.
Dakota 400
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Having arrived on the Sunset Limited and departing the same day on the SWC, that is exactly what I did. Too small? There was never a time during the day that the lounge was overcrowded.
The refreshments provided in the lounge were my breakfast for that morning after I left the Sunset Limited. (Good variety of Sara Lee pastries and good coffee and juices.) Lunch was from a Subway located in the Station. And, it was very good.
The Amtrak attendants were both very, very helpful and pleasant. And, I can not say enough positive about the Red Cap gentleman that got me from the Lounge to the train. He got his guests located at the correct spot to board the Sleeping Cars even before the train had pulled into the station.
