Edit: The following post was added after a few comments that Amtrak was building too many different type cars in the new LD equipment proposal greatly complicating things.
I felt that a long time ago. I posted this back in September 2023 when Amtrak first showed their concept of six different "Core" cars (post #283):
I thought about this for a while and if you all would indulge me I would like to present an alternative concept to those interested. I think Amtrak has "overthunk" this. I am going with the bi-level design since I think it works better and is more desirable.
Amtrak is proposing using six differently designed cars for a six car semi-permanently coupled "core" trainset. I think you can do it with only 2 different car designs and a three car fixed set. Additional non-accessible coaches can be added to the front of the core and non-accessible sleepers on the rear.
This concept has four accessible bedrooms with connected bathrooms and four accessible coach seat locations. There is no passing though the dining car which is going to be problematic when servers are trying to deliver food to passengers. Wheelchair passengers will have much shorter distances to travel within the train to access any feature. Use the same color codes as Amtrak's diagrams. Train is going to the left: Non-Accessible Coaches/Car 1/Diner/Car 3/Non-Accessible Sleepers/Baggage-Dorm.
So here we go:
Car 1 and Car 3 are a "Multipurpose" car that can be fitted with coach seating, table seating or lounge seating upstairs and two accessible bedrooms downstairs. The same car is flipped and used as bookends to the core.
Car 2 is a full diner with a full-width kitchen downstairs and table seating upstairs. The four tables at the two ends have convertible tables that allow accessible wheelchair use as needed.
CAR 1 - MULTIPUPOSE CAR OUTFITTED WITH COACH SEATS
Cafe Counter
Two Accessible First Class Bedrooms with Attached Bathrooms
Two Assessible Wheelchair Coach Spaces with Fold Out Tables
Fully Assessible Public Restroom
![1721529867139.png 1721529867139.png](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/amtraktrains/data/attachments/34/34671-6c37baf69f4f72e4141054ffd528a0b2.jpg)
CAR 2 - FULL LENGTH DINER
Convertible tables at both ends for wheelchair access.
![1721529723682.png 1721529723682.png](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/amtraktrains/data/attachments/34/34669-806ec42e70de8afbe522f448491dcda2.jpg)
CAR 3 - MULTIPURPOSE CAR FLIPPED IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION OUTFITTED WITH LOUNGE TABLES OR LOUNGE SEATING
Cafe Counter
Two Accessible First Class Bedrooms with Attached Bathrooms
Two Assessible Wheelchair Coach Spaces with Fold Out Tables
Fully Assessible Public Restroom
![1721529776520.png 1721529776520.png](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/amtraktrains/data/attachments/34/34670-5a9bb16fd89ddfe54fb8a00785cc5d88.jpg)
Seems so much simpler than Amtrak's solution. Feedback appreciated. Let me know if I missed something. Thanks.
I felt that a long time ago. I posted this back in September 2023 when Amtrak first showed their concept of six different "Core" cars (post #283):
I thought about this for a while and if you all would indulge me I would like to present an alternative concept to those interested. I think Amtrak has "overthunk" this. I am going with the bi-level design since I think it works better and is more desirable.
Amtrak is proposing using six differently designed cars for a six car semi-permanently coupled "core" trainset. I think you can do it with only 2 different car designs and a three car fixed set. Additional non-accessible coaches can be added to the front of the core and non-accessible sleepers on the rear.
This concept has four accessible bedrooms with connected bathrooms and four accessible coach seat locations. There is no passing though the dining car which is going to be problematic when servers are trying to deliver food to passengers. Wheelchair passengers will have much shorter distances to travel within the train to access any feature. Use the same color codes as Amtrak's diagrams. Train is going to the left: Non-Accessible Coaches/Car 1/Diner/Car 3/Non-Accessible Sleepers/Baggage-Dorm.
So here we go:
Car 1 and Car 3 are a "Multipurpose" car that can be fitted with coach seating, table seating or lounge seating upstairs and two accessible bedrooms downstairs. The same car is flipped and used as bookends to the core.
Car 2 is a full diner with a full-width kitchen downstairs and table seating upstairs. The four tables at the two ends have convertible tables that allow accessible wheelchair use as needed.
CAR 1 - MULTIPUPOSE CAR OUTFITTED WITH COACH SEATS
Cafe Counter
Two Accessible First Class Bedrooms with Attached Bathrooms
Two Assessible Wheelchair Coach Spaces with Fold Out Tables
Fully Assessible Public Restroom
![1721529867139.png 1721529867139.png](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/amtraktrains/data/attachments/34/34671-6c37baf69f4f72e4141054ffd528a0b2.jpg)
CAR 2 - FULL LENGTH DINER
Convertible tables at both ends for wheelchair access.
![1721529723682.png 1721529723682.png](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/amtraktrains/data/attachments/34/34669-806ec42e70de8afbe522f448491dcda2.jpg)
CAR 3 - MULTIPURPOSE CAR FLIPPED IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION OUTFITTED WITH LOUNGE TABLES OR LOUNGE SEATING
Cafe Counter
Two Accessible First Class Bedrooms with Attached Bathrooms
Two Assessible Wheelchair Coach Spaces with Fold Out Tables
Fully Assessible Public Restroom
![1721529776520.png 1721529776520.png](https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/amtraktrains/data/attachments/34/34670-5a9bb16fd89ddfe54fb8a00785cc5d88.jpg)
Seems so much simpler than Amtrak's solution. Feedback appreciated. Let me know if I missed something. Thanks.
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