Hotblack Desiato
Service Attendant
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2012
- Messages
- 186
Aren't there 5 Parlour cars in the fleet, or did one get retired already?
A private Sleeper SSL, the more I think about it ..... YEAH that would be nice on all routes!!!!ImageUploadedByAmtrak Forum1499696785.330475.jpg![]()
My wife sitting in the substitute car for the PPC. They did offer some of the alternative menu items and a few specialty drinks. No breakfast buffet. Some items were not stocked. The attendant said a cross country cafe car would be a better substitute. The car didn't get crowded and was still a nice alternative to the SSL.
I don't think they have anywhere near enough SSLs. They seemed to have a lot of extra CCC's back in the day though. Maybe there could be some sleeper-only C3 cars?A private Sleeper SSL, the more I think about it ..... YEAH that would be nice on all routes!!!!(Am I dreaming again?ImageUploadedByAmtrak Forum1499696785.330475.jpg![]()
My wife sitting in the substitute car for the PPC. They did offer some of the alternative menu items and a few specialty drinks. No breakfast buffet. Some items were not stocked. The attendant said a cross country cafe car would be a better substitute. The car didn't get crowded and was still a nice alternative to the SSL.)
Yep, make the downstairs into Rooms and the LSA can operate out of the Upstairs Bar Area that is, IINM, unused except on the Empire Builder in the Summer!A private Sleeper SSL, the more I think about it ..... YEAH that would be nice on all routes!!!!(Am I dreaming again?ImageUploadedByAmtrak Forum1499696785.330475.jpg![]()
My wife sitting in the substitute car for the PPC. They did offer some of the alternative menu items and a few specialty drinks. No breakfast buffet. Some items were not stocked. The attendant said a cross country cafe car would be a better substitute. The car didn't get crowded and was still a nice alternative to the SSL.)
Is a SSL even capable of providing the food service on the PPC (forgetting about wine and cheese)?The substitute for a bad-ordered PPC will likely by a standard SSL, but with its food and beverage service (and wine and cheese events) adjusted to match what would be offered in the PPC. But no movie theater downstairs and no plush sofas and swivel chairs upstairs.
Amtrak realized that they don't, and it was costing them more than they were worth, so the movies have been discontinued for a while now.Does anyone really take advantage of the movies?
A very novel idea, except for the wrapped windows at the top of the car part. I would have to wonder from a structural standpoint about the ability to install those on a former dining car? In any regard, I don't see this idea as a poor one. As much as I like the PPC's, they're very overdue for retirement from regular daily revenue use.FYI----------- The just released Amtrak 5 year plan mentions consideration is being made to take 5 CCC cars and modify them to PPC design. Now do not take that as gospel. It just that they are studying it.
The 5th one was in service in April. Then, it headed east. I don't believe they are stripping parts from 2000 miles away.I believe the fifth one is out of service indefinitely and provides some spare parts to attempt to keep the other 4 operating.
With or without the wrapped windows, this seems like a workable idea and a good use of what turned out to be a rather misbegotten set of rebuild cars. It's probably the best near-term solution I can think of that realistically is within present constraints.A very novel idea, except for the wrapped windows at the top of the car part. I would have to wonder from a structural standpoint about the ability to install those on a former dining car? In any regard, I don't see this idea as a poor one. As much as I like the PPC's, they're very overdue for retirement from regular daily revenue use.FYI----------- The just released Amtrak 5 year plan mentions consideration is being made to take 5 CCC cars and modify them to PPC design. Now do not take that as gospel. It just that they are studying it.
My trip on the 11 (11) and 14 (17) did not have a PPC, but had the SSL substitute. Talk about double jeopardy. At least the sleeper passengers had a dedicated lounge just for them.Don't plan on seeing the PPC.
They won't re-do the windows, I can almost guarantee. They'll redecorate the inside, and hopefully face the service counter toward the larger part of the car, but I am pretty sure they won't do anything structural. I had a CCC substitute for a PPC and there was NO ONE in the larger part of the car. The car as currently laid out does not work well as lounge space and was very lightly used despite a pretty full sleeper load. If they want a want a diner lounge layout, they should follow something like SP's "Pride of Texas" Coffee Shop-Lounges used on the Sunset where there was a service counter at one end of the car facing inward.A very novel idea, except for the wrapped windows at the top of the car part. I would have to wonder from a structural standpoint about the ability to install those on a former dining car? In any regard, I don't see this idea as a poor one. As much as I like the PPC's, they're very overdue for retirement from regular daily revenue use.FYI----------- The just released Amtrak 5 year plan mentions consideration is being made to take 5 CCC cars and modify them to PPC design. Now do not take that as gospel. It just that they are studying it.
While I agree that the wrap-around top windows are unlikely to make a reappearance, in my admittedly limited estimation it seems that they might be able to enlarge the existing windows vertically without compromising the integrity of the car. After all, Superliner diners and Sightseer Lounges utilize the same basic body structure, don't they?They won't re-do the windows, I can almost guarantee. They'll redecorate the inside, and hopefully face the service counter toward the larger part of the car, but I am pretty sure they won't do anything structural.
Yes, but ditzing with the windows is expensive even though I agree with you they could probably do it without compromising the structural integrity of the car.While I agree that the wrap-around top windows are unlikely to make a reappearance, in my admittedly limited estimation it seems that they might be able to enlarge the existing windows vertically without compromising the integrity of the car. After all, Superliner diners and Sightseer Lounges utilize the same basic body structure, don't they?They won't re-do the windows, I can almost guarantee. They'll redecorate the inside, and hopefully face the service counter toward the larger part of the car, but I am pretty sure they won't do anything structural.