Rails and Trails Narrative - Can you hear it in the bedroom?

[uz1]

When the rails to trails program is running, can you hear narrative in the bedroom cars? If so, is there a radio or something in the bedroom you need to do/operator in order to hear it, or is it only audible from lounge car or all or select coach cars.

Could this vary by train?

Could there be other variables besides just equipment working?

Sorry if I missed this answer in another thread.

 

[me_little_me]

I never have. I don't think it is broadcast over the PA - I have only seen it being done locally in the lounge cars.

 

[TraneMan]

No, it's done only in the lounge car, and I've seen either they talk louder or have their own speaker system so others can hear what is said.

 

[willem]

I'm happy if I can get the diner announcements in a room. On recent trips, I've had about a 20% success rate on that goal.

To answer the original question, TraneMan's description matched my recent experience. It does seem like they have used the public address system, but that was years ago and I could be imagining it. At that time, I was in the lounge car so I don't know if it went throughout the train (if I'm even remembering correctly about using the PA).

 

[trainman74]

I was on one California Zephyr about eight years ago where the narration west of Reno was broadcast over the entire train's PA system.

Every other time, they've used a portable speaker in the lounge car.

 

[GaSteve]

Some routes, like the one I am on (#19 and 20), do make PA announcements. There are also different subject presentations done in the lounge car from time to time and these are announced on the PA..

 

[fairviewroad]

So to summarize, they may or may not use the PA system, and the PA system may or may not be working in your bedroom.

 

[Lonestar648]

My experience has been that they use a portable PA system which can only be heard on the upper level of the SSL car.

 

[GaSteve]

My experience has been that they use a portable PA system which can only be heard on the upper level of the SSL car.

Yeah, but 19/20 is a single-level train anyway. We usually make general announcements over the train PA and invite folks into the lounge cat if there's going to be a special presentation.

 

[rtabern]

I was the Chicago Coordinator for Trails & Rails from Dec. 2012 until July 2015... for our program that operated on the Southwest Chief between Chicago and La Plata, MO.

No, Trails & Rails programs are only presented in the lounge car. Volunteers are not allowed to make announcements train-wide -- unless it's a welcome announcement when they get on -- that goes train-wide. Those are the official rules put forth by Amtrak and the NPS. Trails & Rails used to do some train-wide announcements when the program started in 2000, but that was changed when people complained.

The only exception to the above policy is for the T&R program on #7 and #8 (Empire Builder) between Seattle and Spokane. There is no lounge car, so docents stand on the bottom level of one of the coaches and narrate train-wide, as there is no other option. They are allowed only one announcement every 10-20 minutes.

Non-Trails & Rails narrations (California State RR Museum, Collis P. Huntington RR Society, etc.) follow different rules and may narrate train-wide.

 

[Cho Cho Charlie]

I'm happy if I can get the diner announcements in a room. On recent trips, I've had about a 20% success rate on that goal.

+1

 

[trainman74]

Non-Trails & Rails narrations (California State RR Museum, Collis P. Huntington RR Society, etc.) follow different rules and may narrate train-wide.

Thanks, I should have specified in my post above that the train-wide announcing I mentioned was a California State RR Museum presentation, not NPS Trails & Rails.

 

[GaSteve]

I was the Chicago Coordinator for Trails & Rails from Dec. 2012 until July 2015... for our program that operated on the Southwest Chief between Chicago and La Plata, MO.

No, Trails & Rails programs are only presented in the lounge car. Volunteers are not allowed to make announcements train-wide -- unless it's a welcome announcement when they get on -- that goes train-wide. Those are the official rules put forth by Amtrak and the NPS. Trails & Rails used to do some train-wide announcements when the program started in 2000, but that was changed when people complained.

The only exception to the above policy is for the T&R program on #7 and #8 (Empire Builder) between Seattle and Spokane. There is no lounge car, so docents stand on the bottom level of one of the coaches and narrate train-wide, as there is no other option. They are allowed only one announcement every 10-20 minutes.

Non-Trails & Rails narrations (California State RR Museum, Collis P. Huntington RR Society, etc.) follow different rules and may narrate train-wide.

Sorry, but we have done and continue to do train-wide announcements on #19 and #20 and get very favorable response from the pax and we are a T&R program.

 

[PRR 60]

I was the Chicago Coordinator for Trails & Rails from Dec. 2012 until July 2015... for our program that operated on the Southwest Chief between Chicago and La Plata, MO.

No, Trails & Rails programs are only presented in the lounge car. Volunteers are not allowed to make announcements train-wide -- unless it's a welcome announcement when they get on -- that goes train-wide. Those are the official rules put forth by Amtrak and the NPS. Trails & Rails used to do some train-wide announcements when the program started in 2000, but that was changed when people complained.

The only exception to the above policy is for the T&R program on #7 and #8 (Empire Builder) between Seattle and Spokane. There is no lounge car, so docents stand on the bottom level of one of the coaches and narrate train-wide, as there is no other option. They are allowed only one announcement every 10-20 minutes.

Non-Trails & Rails narrations (California State RR Museum, Collis P. Huntington RR Society, etc.) follow different rules and may narrate train-wide.

Sorry, but we have done and continue to do train-wide announcements on #19 and #20 and get very favorable response from the pax and we are a T&R program.

I think having the announcements train-wide is an intrusion. I have not been on the Crescent, so I don't know the details on that train, but two times over the Sierras on the Zephyr with the museum lecture piped throughout the train was more than either my wife or I could stand. It was awful. About 30 minutes into the second time (exact same lecture as three years earlier), I suggested we just jump from the train and hope for only minor injuries. It was moving slowly enough: it might have worked.

While I don't doubt some passengers enjoy the talks, I am also sure that some do not. They may want to read a book, watch a movie, sightsee, or take a nap. With the lectures train-wide, there is no escape. Amtrak already has announcement overload on trains between the endless dining car calls for reservations and cafe car promos. Adding train-wide history lessons makes it all that much worse.

 

[rtabern]

I was the Chicago Coordinator for Trails & Rails from Dec. 2012 until July 2015... for our program that operated on the Southwest Chief between Chicago and La Plata, MO.

No, Trails & Rails programs are only presented in the lounge car. Volunteers are not allowed to make announcements train-wide -- unless it's a welcome announcement when they get on -- that goes train-wide. Those are the official rules put forth by Amtrak and the NPS. Trails & Rails used to do some train-wide announcements when the program started in 2000, but that was changed when people complained.

The only exception to the above policy is for the T&R program on #7 and #8 (Empire Builder) between Seattle and Spokane. There is no lounge car, so docents stand on the bottom level of one of the coaches and narrate train-wide, as there is no other option. They are allowed only one announcement every 10-20 minutes.

Non-Trails & Rails narrations (California State RR Museum, Collis P. Huntington RR Society, etc.) follow different rules and may narrate train-wide.

Sorry, but we have done and continue to do train-wide announcements on #19 and #20 and get very favorable response from the pax and we are a T&R program.

More power to your group... but techincally if he or she is okaying all your commentary going trainwide... your T&R Coordinator is going against the T&R Standard Operating Procedures Manual put forth by Jim Miculka, head of T&R, and Bryan Mattox of Amtrak.

 

[willem]

On two trips on the Crescent last year, I do not recall hearing Trails and Rails lectures over the public address system.

Amtrak already has announcement overload on trains between the endless dining car calls for reservations and cafe car promos. Adding train-wide history lessons makes it all that much worse.

Amen to the announcement overload, especially regarding the café car announcements!
It would be nice if there was some selection capability in the room that would allow the occupant to choose to hear classes of announcements. This is a pipe dream and far down the priority list.

 

[rtabern]

I was the Chicago Coordinator for Trails & Rails from Dec. 2012 until July 2015... for our program that operated on the Southwest Chief between Chicago and La Plata, MO.

No, Trails & Rails programs are only presented in the lounge car. Volunteers are not allowed to make announcements train-wide -- unless it's a welcome announcement when they get on -- that goes train-wide. Those are the official rules put forth by Amtrak and the NPS. Trails & Rails used to do some train-wide announcements when the program started in 2000, but that was changed when people complained.

The only exception to the above policy is for the T&R program on #7 and #8 (Empire Builder) between Seattle and Spokane. There is no lounge car, so docents stand on the bottom level of one of the coaches and narrate train-wide, as there is no other option. They are allowed only one announcement every 10-20 minutes.

Non-Trails & Rails narrations (California State RR Museum, Collis P. Huntington RR Society, etc.) follow different rules and may narrate train-wide.

Sorry, but we have done and continue to do train-wide announcements on #19 and #20 and get very favorable response from the pax and we are a T&R program.

I think having the announcements train-wide is an intrusion. I have not been on the Crescent, so I don't know the details on that train, but two times over the Sierras on the Zephyr with the museum lecture piped throughout the train was more than either my wife or I could stand. It was awful. About 30 minutes into the second time (exact same lecture as three years earlier), I suggested we just jump from the train and hope for only minor injuries. It was moving slowly enough: it might have worked.

While I don't doubt some passengers enjoy the talks, I am also sure that some do not. They may want to read a book, watch a movie, sightsee, or take a nap. With the lectures train-wide, there is no escape. Amtrak already has announcement overload on trains between the endless dining car calls for reservations and cafe car promos. Adding train-wide history lessons makes it all that much worse.

Being a Chicago Coordinator of Trails and Rails for three years... I would tend to agree with you. I really think the official national policy of Trails and Rails but forth by the NPS and Amtrak (but obviously not being followed or enforced by every group... see above post by who I presume is a docent out of the MLK NHS) is the way to go. One or two trainwide announcements advising folks you are onboard and keep it to the lounge car only beyond that... unless there is an exceptional reason. Examples of that we were given was a pod of grey whales on #11/14 or maybe a flock of eagles. Not just the regular history stuff.

While I love hearing narration and learning what is along the route (I have even written six route guide books for Amtrak routes in the Midwest)... I also know its not everyones cup of tea. I dont think anyone should be forced to listen to it if they dont want to. By doing a program in the lounge... you make it voluntary. People can go back to their seats or sleeper if they dont want to hear it. My reaction was 98-99 positive from passengers, but even by doing a program in the lounge you still have your 1 percent who want you to shut up.

Finally, a lot of peoples reactions have to do with the Trails and Rails guides themselves. Like any volunteer group... you get the good and bad. Being Chicago based and only needing 30 volunteers, I was able to weed out a lot of bad applicants. Lots of people with no enthusiasm, no public speaking skills, and foamers who want to join for free train rides but you can tell didnt give two craps about national parks or being a guide. Other cities and programs are in remote spots (ND, etc.) and cant be as discriminating. So again... Trails and Rails is fun when you have an enthusiastic guide with good communication skills but can be nails on a chalkboard if you have a bad docent. I am sure all who have experienced a program would agree.

 

[chakk]

On 6(26), the dicents made the first announcement over the whole train PA upon leaving Sacramento, stating that all further narratives on the journey to Reno would be made only on the SSL PA.

The next morning, the assistant conductor made a few sightseeing announcements over the train PA between Green River and Grand Junction.

 

[Lonestar648]

Some Conductors enjoy pointing out special landmarks along their portion of the route with PA commentary.