New Rehabilitated Superliners unveiled

[joelkfla]

It will be interesting to find out how many of the soap and shampoo dispenser are empty because the cabin steward is too busy to fill them. I will take my own to make sure I have some.

Since when does Amtrak have cabin stewards?

 

[IndyLions]

Since when does Amtrak have cabin stewards?

Let’s not get too caught up in titles - I think we know who they were talking about. Amtrak’s Onboard Service folks have titles that tend to meld together as alphabet soup on this forum - especially for newcomers.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Let’s not get too caught up in titles - I think we know who they were talking about. Amtrak’s Onboard Service folks have titles that tend to meld together as alphabet soup on this forum - especially for newcomers.

The last time I travelled first class on the Silver Metoer my cabin steward brought me a drink from the club car!

 

[Ferroequinologist]

The last time I travelled first class on the Silver Metoer my cabin steward brought me a drink from the club car!

That was in 1960?

 

[railiner]

Let’s not get too caught up in titles - I think we know who they were talking about. Amtrak’s Onboard Service folks have titles that tend to meld together as alphabet soup on this forum - especially for newcomers.

Especially "SCA" or Sleeping Car Attendant...officially they are "TA-S", or Train Attendant - Sleeper. The ones working coaches are "TA-C"....

 

[AmHope]

I'd be happy if they'd fix sliding doors to stop them from rattling, and replace the tray tables with ones that stay level (and preferably made of a material that is stronger for less weight). Those are my two biggest gripes involving hardware in the cars.

The thing I'm most excited for is the new bedding. It looks a lot more comfortable than the existing linen rags they call blankets. This is a no-brainer upgrade as it doesn't cost a lot of money. In particular if the pillows are improved that would be amazing so I wouldn't have to bring my own.

For future cars I hope they keep a bi-level design. I love the Superliners in terms of the sheer amount of space that they have in them and the great views. I'm sure Alstom could create a great new Superliner with better interiors and trucks/suspension while keeping the existing frame style (which they own since they bought Bombardier).

Whatever happens I sure hope they get moving on replacements or rebuilds as the existing Superliners are audibly falling apart. =( They *sound* old every time they hit a bump in the track.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

That was in 1960?

2019.

 

[jis]

For future cars I hope they keep a bi-level design. I love the Superliners in terms of the sheer amount of space that they have in them and the great views. I'm sure Alstom could create a great new Superliner with better interiors and trucks/suspension while keeping the existing frame style (which they own since they bought Bombardier).

Whatever happens I sure hope they get moving on replacements or rebuilds as the existing Superliners are audibly falling apart. =( They *sound* old every time they hit a bump in the track.

The decision on whether to rebuild or replace is a few years away. After that if replace is the decision then the next decision would be replace with what. If the example of what happened with the Amfleet replacement is followed, they will probably ask the vendors to suggest what they would do for what price, to meet some broad requirements, and choose from them. Don't expect an order to be placed before 2026.

 

[Dustyroad]

Since when does Amtrak have cabin stewards?

What do we call them then, since you are so smart. Then I will know in the future.

 

[Dustyroad]

Let’s not get too caught up in titles - I think we know who they were talking about. Amtrak’s Onboard Service folks have titles that tend to meld together as alphabet soup on this forum - especially for newcomers.

Thank you.

 

[AmHope]

I miss when my grandpa was alive and we'd take Amtrak -- he called them Pullman Porters, and he lamented that there weren't any Harvey Girls.

 

[me_little_me]

I actually hope they don't replace the soft original lighting in the Superliner II sleepers during a refurb. I hate the harsh, too bright lights in the refurbished Superliner Is. It leaks through the curtains, especially since they replaced they replaced the original, thick blackout curtains with much thinner material.

Right Problem. Wrong solution. They should use heavy duty curtains, not make the lights too low.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

What do we call them then, since you are so smart. Then I will know in the future.

Sleeping Car Attendants (SCA) or Train Attendant - Sleeper.

The attendants in the cafe car and diner are “Lead Service Attendants (LSA).

 

[jis]

Right Problem. Wrong solution. They should use heavy duty curtains, not make the lights too low.

I agree. The dim corridor lights on the Superliners gives it a bit of a walking into a dungeon feel, which is really somewhat gloomy.

 

[Ziv]

And a bulb w slightly more lumens but a warmer color might help too. The Kelvin rating makes a big difference.

Right Problem. Wrong solution. They should use heavy duty curtains, not make the lights too low.

 

[PVD]

Many of the newer LED luminaires on the market (aside from greatly enhanced compatability with lighting control systems and dimmers) now feature selectable color temperature. Teaching color temp is always fun, since lower K temp is "warmer" vs higher K temp which is "cooler" Always take a few minutes to sink in.

 

[AmHope]

I agree. The dim corridor lights on the Superliners gives it a bit of a walking into a dungeon feel, which is really somewhat gloomy.

Hey, some people pay good money for the "dungeon" experience on craigslist. This is an untapped market for Amtrak to explore.

 

[Dustyroad]

Since when does Amtrak have cabin stewards?

Since I have cruised so often, that name just slipped out. I am trying learn all the names and abbreviations here for things. It will take me a while since there are so many.

 

[PVD]

Of course, the lines can blur by assignment. The SCA may be either the TA-S assigned to a car, or in some cases with a transition sleeper, one of the TA-C picks it up. That's part of why you generally just hear coach attendant or SCA used.....

 

[OBS]

Since I have cruised so often, that name just slipped out. I am trying learn all the names and abbreviations here for things. It will take me a while since there are so many.

Whatever you do, just don't call him/her "Porter".....Oh wait, we already went down that road......

 

[johnmiller]

If you know your car number, is there any way to know if it has been refurbished and when? I was about to book a sleeper and I was curious what shape it might be in. Thank you!

 

[Cal]

I'd be happy if they'd fix sliding doors to stop them from rattling, and replace the tray tables with ones that stay level (and preferably made of a material that is stronger for less weight). Those are my two biggest gripes involving hardware in the cars.

The thing I'm most excited for is the new bedding. It looks a lot more comfortable than the existing linen rags they call blankets. This is a no-brainer upgrade as it doesn't cost a lot of money. In particular if the pillows are improved that would be amazing so I wouldn't have to bring my own.

For future cars I hope they keep a bi-level design. I love the Superliners in terms of the sheer amount of space that they have in them and the great views. I'm sure Alstom could create a great new Superliner with better interiors and trucks/suspension while keeping the existing frame style (which they own since they bought Bombardier).

Whatever happens I sure hope they get moving on replacements or rebuilds as the existing Superliners are audibly falling apart. =( They *sound* old every time they hit a bump in the track.

I agree with everything you said!

 

[AmtrakBlue]

If you know your car number, is there any way to know if it has been refurbished and when? I was about to book a sleeper and I was curious what shape it might be in. Thank you!

No. The car number on your ticket only indicates where the car is in the consist.

 

[johnmiller]

No. The car number on your ticket only indicates where the car is in the consist.

Okay, thanks! It was worth a try.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

No. The car number on your ticket only indicates where the car is in the consist.

It gets a bit confusing. The physical car has a number (and some also have a name) but the car number on your ticket indicates where the car is located within the consist of a particular train.