San Joaquins discussion

[randomguy65]

I've been riding the San Joaquins a lot recently for work, with a ~3 hour train trip and a ~2 hour Thruway trip. I've been fortunate enough to get the bi-levels with the proper cafe on all of 'em.

I hate, hate, hate that they're cutting service on the bi-levels too. A bag of chips and a warm soda or water is not acceptable on a trip that long.

Looks like it'll go into effect at the start of the new year.

 

[Harmon Shay]

So this means the same thing as is being done now on the Venture and Comet trainsets, but simply with a different vendor, now extended to all San Joaquin trains? Sounds like at least another year or two of waiting for the vending machine coaches by the time you add up the vending machine delays and the ongoing coach delays.

 

[Cal]

There are some changes to SJJPA food service announced at the November 22nd board meeting. It sounds like the California Cars will switch from a staffed cafe car to a complimentary snack station, to match the Venture cars. Vending is delayed due to unspecified regulatory challenges.

Nooo I love the California cafes.

 

[randomguy65]

It appears the SJJPA couldn't wait until the end of the year, the cheap b*stards.

All San Joaquins trains no longer have cafe service, including the bi-levels. Grab-n-go only!

 

[Harmon Shay]

Does that mean the San Joaquin bi-level cafe cars go into storage, or maybe just get used for axle count?

 

[GDRRiley]

Does that mean the San Joaquin bi-level cafe cars go into storage, or maybe just get used for axle count?

They'll likely get used for axle count for now but given their layout they aren't really ideal for a coach car and surfliner isn't going to trade their cars which are coach on the 2nd floor and cafe below

 

[Cal]

They'll likely get used for axle count for now but given their layout they aren't really ideal for a coach car and surfliner isn't going to trade their cars which are coach on the 2nd floor and cafe below

Can't they be slapped onto Capitol Corridor sets just as a lounge area? Wouldn't change operations at all, just have it on the set and let people chill there if they want.

 

[randomguy65]

Can't they be slapped onto Capitol Corridor sets just as a lounge area? Wouldn't change operations at all, just have it on the set and let people chill there if they want.

All bi-level sets on the SJ currently have a Comet coach used for axle count. They'll need to keep the cafes on the bi-level sets until that's resolved or when all the Venture sets enter service.

 

[GDRRiley]

Can't they be slapped onto Capitol Corridor sets just as a lounge area? Wouldn't change operations at all, just have it on the set and let people chill there if they want.

There are 14 of them so not enough to give every CC set 2 and some will still be used by San Joaquin trains until even more ventures or some other car type gets ordered.

 

[Harmon Shay]

They'll likely get used for axle count for now but given their layout they aren't really ideal for a coach car and surfliner isn't going to trade their cars which are coach on the 2nd floor and cafe below

Thanks for the info. That was my guess. I think they're using one set of Comet cars in LA now and one set in San Joaquin service, so I assume that means there will be fewer of those available for axle count service.

 

[Cal]

There are 14 of them so not enough to give every CC set

There wouldn't need to be one on every train since it wouldn't be marketed or sold differently, it would just be there. But whole thing is nill since axle cars are needed.

 

[Trogdor]

Can't they be slapped onto Capitol Corridor sets just as a lounge area? Wouldn't change operations at all, just have it on the set and let people chill there if they want.

If a car isn’t needed for axle count purposes, neither Amtrak nor the state of California are going to pay to lug a car back and forth (including extra fuel burn and higher maintenance costs), just to let people “chill” for a bit.

 

[Cal]

If a car isn’t needed for axle count purposes, neither Amtrak nor the state of California are going to pay to lug a car back and forth (including extra fuel burn and higher maintenance costs), just to let people “chill” for a bit.

Unfortunately true.