Dinner on 97?

[Ethan Klapper]

I've wondered: How do they serve dinner on train 97 when it's in WAS during dinner time and it loses HEP due to the engine change?

 

[TVRM610]

They don't. They have early seatings for dinner, and then they skip a seating during the layover.

I think they start extra early at like 4 or 4:30. I ate at 5:00 I think on my last trip and managed to score a table by myself for dinner. I had skipped lunch that day so I was ready to eat, plus it's fun eating in a full service dining car while traveling 110 mph!

 

[the_traveler]

If you're eating when they cut the power, you can continue to finish your meal. But they will not have the next seating or allow you to order anything that has to be prepared until after departure.

 

[Linda T]

Speaking of the 97 AND dinner, if one detrains at FTL can one get supper first? 6:02 might be pushing it to get seated, served and finished, though it may be delayed... :unsure: I'll be traveling on it next weekend. Thanks!

 

[NE933]

They don't. They have early seatings for dinner, and then they skip a seating during the layover.
I think they start extra early at like 4 or 4:30. I ate at 5:00 I think on my last trip and managed to score a table by myself for dinner. I had skipped lunch that day so I was ready to eat, plus it's fun eating in a full service dining car while traveling 110 mph!

Only on a Viewliner, and for now there's only one of them. The Heritage cars are showing their age by an awful lot of swaying and bounce. On certain track, it is difficult to pick up a beverage without spilling or wearing it.

 

[pennyk]

When I board 97 in WAS, I am generally given an 8:00pm dinner reservation (assuming that power is back by then). When I board in PHL or NYP, I opt for an early reservation so I am finished by the time we arrive in WAS.

 

[user 1215]

For what it's worth, the 98 Northbound does the same thing for breakfast. It was a bit annoying, though. The power is only out for 10-15 minutes, but they wouldn't let folks come in and even have coffee and wait for the new power. Why can't they hook up shore power during the wait?

 

[J-1 3235]

Possibly because the train is on a through track, not a stub track. Shore power would not usually be needed on a through track. FWIW, the power might be on for five minutes of the 10-15 it is off while the engine is swapped; probably not worth the effort.

 

[gdj]

Speaking of the 97 AND dinner, if one detrains at FTL can one get supper first? 6:02 might be pushing it to get seated, served and finished, though it may be delayed... :unsure: I'll be traveling on it next weekend. Thanks!

I don't know if my experience was typical, but a couple of years ago when I was on 97 there was no was evening meal. Lunch was the last meal.

Gary

 

[Ryan]

Possibly because the train is on a through track, not a stub track. Shore power would not usually be needed on a through track. FWIW, the power might be on for five minutes of the 10-15 it is off while the engine is swapped; probably not worth the effort.

This combined with the fact that the power is off because they're removing and attaching locomotives. You can't do that with the rest of the train powered up.

 

[pennyk]

Speaking of the 97 AND dinner, if one detrains at FTL can one get supper first? 6:02 might be pushing it to get seated, served and finished, though it may be delayed... :unsure: I'll be traveling on it next weekend. Thanks!

I don't know if my experience was typical, but a couple of years ago when I was on 97 there was no was evening meal. Lunch was the last meal.

Gary

I think under normal circumstances, lunch is the last meal on 97. My guess is that if it is really late, dinner will be served, however, I have not been on it when it has been that late.

 

[Linda T]

Speaking of the 97 AND dinner, if one detrains at FTL can one get supper first? 6:02 might be pushing it to get seated, served and finished, though it may be delayed... :unsure: I'll be traveling on it next weekend. Thanks!

I don't know if my experience was typical, but a couple of years ago when I was on 97 there was no was evening meal. Lunch was the last meal.

Gary

I think under normal circumstances, lunch is the last meal on 97. My guess is that if it is really late, dinner will be served, however, I have not been on it when it has been that late.

Thanks!