Pacific Parlour Car Temporary Withdrawal

[BCL]

I had to look it up.

http://www.amtrak.com/media/train_tour/crosscountrycafe/superlinerCCC_CONTROLLER.html

Here's a photo someone took of the interior:

 

[pennyk]

What is a CCC car?

Cross Country Cafe.

 

[jersey42]

Todays 14 has the Pacific Parlor Car.

 

[TylerP42]

is the theatre opened?

 

[Thirdrail7]

Todays 14 has the Pacific Parlor Car.

Is there some sort of note on any of the doors or windows?

 

[jersey42]

According to the PPC attendant, the PPC will be taken out of service in January for maintenance. Not sure what they are planning to do, but the time frame is 45 days.

The theater is closed. According to the PPC attendant and my SCA, it is because the windows do not meet current FRA requirements. i.e., they will not stop a bullet!

 

[ain't no Metroliner]

I was worried about not having the PPC on my theoretical trip in early/mid-February but it sounds like you guys are saying that Amtrak will replace it with a normal lounge car so the sleeping car passengers will still have an exclusive lounge.

 

[yarrow]

I was worried about not having the PPC on my theoretical trip in early/mid-February but it sounds like you guys are saying that Amtrak will replace it with a normal lounge car so the sleeping car passengers will still have an exclusive lounge.

they didn't last winter when they took the ppc off for a couple months

 

[ain't no Metroliner]

I was worried about not having the PPC on my theoretical trip in early/mid-February but it sounds like you guys are saying that Amtrak will replace it with a normal lounge car so the sleeping car passengers will still have an exclusive lounge.

they didn't last winter when they took the ppc off for a couple months

Oh, that's bad news.

 

[jersey42]

Todays 11 has no parlour car, but they substituted an extra sightseer lounge. The attendant said he had the PPC yesterday going northbound, but when he got to the Seattle station this morning, he found out about the substitution. He also confirmed that all of parlour cars will be taken out of service in mid January for maintenance. He also understands it is scheduled for 45 days.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

. He also confirmed that all of parlour cars will be taken out of service in mid January for maintenance. He also understands it is scheduled for 45 days.

It would be nice if in addition to working on the Mechanics of the 5 cars they also freshen up the interiors.

 

[jersey42]

The attendant also said they are not substituting an SSL during the period the parlour car is gone. He already has a (hopefully temporary) position on another train.

 

[ain't no Metroliner]

The attendant also said they are not substituting an SSL during the period the parlour car is gone. He already has a (hopefully temporary) position on another train.

:angry:

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Maybe I'm just being overly cynical, and it certainly wouldn't be the first time, but is it possible that Amtrak is removing these cars periodically because operating budgets are running short and they think it will reduce labor and fuel costs? I don't want to believe this but it's starting to look like the beginning of a trend.

 

[zephyr17]

Maybe I'm just being overly cynical, and it certainly wouldn't be the first time, but is it possible that Amtrak is removing these cars periodically because operating budgets are running short and they think it will reduce labor and fuel costs? I don't want to believe this but it's starting to look like the beginning of a trend.

The withdrawl of the PPC on the Starlight and the SSL on the Capitol Limited last winter was pretty much expressly for that purpose, particularly the Capitol. They used a maintenance excuse for the PPC last year, but my understanding is they didn't actually do much. Actions speak louder than words.

So I don't think you are being overly cynical and I do think you are right that it is a trend. I don't much like it, but it does make sense in the absolutely lowest season of the year. If some amenities get withdrawn during Jan-March to save money during the low time, well, so be it, as long as they aren't withdrawn entirely (or randomly).

 

[jebr]

It seems as though, at least with the PPC, they're at least doing the annual inspections and that sort of thing to help keep them running the rest of the year (or lessen the down time the rest of the year.) That, to me, isn't terrible so long as it doesn't dramatically affect revenue.

 

[Bob Dylan]

And of course along with a Reduction in the Sleeping Car Fares to compensate for the missing Parlor Car!

 

[aviva_dawn]

Will be on 14 on 12/17. Was so looking forward for my Mom to experience the Pacific Parlour Car for the first time, with me by her side.

Hopefully there will be a PPC on our consist.

 

[aviva_dawn]

I'm on 14(17) and sitting in PDX right now. We have a lounge instead of a PPC, which isn't bad at all...Still missed the actual PPC, and I hope for its return in the Spring.

 

[oregon pioneer]

I'm on 14(17) and sitting in PDX right now. We have a lounge instead of a PPC, which isn't bad at all...Still missed the actual PPC, and I hope for its return in the Spring.

Some of them have the PPC right now (14(16) did, I arrived in Oregon yesterday with it), and some have the SSL. When they go away after the holidays, there will be no first-class lounge car on the train at all, until the PPCs come back in the spring.

 

[tricia]

Anyone know when in the spring they'll return?

 

[west point]

If they are replacing windows it may be that getting FRA 223 panes is being delayed due to it being a special order and not stock panes..

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

If they are replacing windows it may be that getting FRA 223 panes is being delayed due to it being a special order and not stock panes..

Let's actually hope they are investing this much into the PPCs as that means they plan to keep them in fleet for a while; I recall a couple years ago a Fleet Report projected keeping them on through at least 2018.

 

[ain't no Metroliner]

Once the PPC is gone for Spring Break, does the mean the whole train will lack wi-fi? Or will there still be wi-fi?

 

[Ryan]

The whole train has never had wifi. It was only available (and barely at that) from the PPC.