SOLD OUT SOLD OUT SOLD OUT

[user 1215]

So, this trip I'm taking on Friday I got in barely under the gun. As of now, it's showing completely sold out. It's the Silver Star, which typically runs with one fewer coach and sleeper than it's Meteor sibling. Is there no equipment to add to the Star?

The cancelled Palmetto is straining the Silvers, too, it seems - though Fri-Sun, all three trains are working their way up the coast.

 

[Guest]

Is there no equipment to add to the Star?

Only if you are offering to buy it.

 

[TimePeace]

Is there no equipment to add to the Star?

Only if you are offering to buy it.

Yet another profoundly meaningful guest post... ^_^

 

[Ryan]

Actually it's pretty spot on, Amtrak's only going to have the equipment if we buy it for them!

 

[Notelvis]

Wish we had a spot on the income tax returns where we could indicate a spending preference. I'd vote for fewer Humvees and more viewliners!

 

[Amtrak George]

I have had to abandon the rail option for trips on several occasions due to lack of availability of sleeper space. We need to let our elected officials know we want funding for passenger trains!

 

[Alexandria Nick]

Wish we had a spot on the income tax returns where we could indicate a spending preference. I'd vote for fewer Humvees and more viewliners!

Well the Army asked for fewer Humvees two years ago and Congress said no. But then they stopped buying them last year, so problem solved.

 

[Anderson]

There's more equipment in the pipeline for the Viewliners, but it's currently in production. The main jam is that the equipment was a "fresh" order, so some time got swallowed up in the design phase (and getting the factory set up) rather than the cars simply getting rolled out.

 

[user 1215]

I know there are no Viewliners available. I'm talking about Amcans. They seem to find the equipment for those special 15 car trains for South Floridian 5th graders..

 

[Ryan]

By making sure that they schedule routine and preventative maintance such that all cars are available, same as they do for Thanksgiving.

A few times a year, with enough planning is possible. Such a push is not sustainable all the time, though.

 

[Anderson]

There may be some more cars available once the equipment for CA, IL, etc. is delivered (since that'll free up Horizons, Amcans, and allow some deckchairs to be moved on some Superliners)...again, the problem is that it takes a couple of years from a check getting cut to equipment being available.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

If the Palmetto is cancelled why not put those cars on other trains during that time?

 

[user 1215]

I was thinking the same thing. Unfortunately, though, it seems like the Palmetto is only cancelled during the weekdays - and those are the days that the Silvers don't seem to be sold out. That being said, it would be a great idea to enhance capacity, but I don't think it's real easy to switch out cars in Savannah.

 

[Cho Cho Charlie]

Is there no equipment to add to the Star?

Only if you are offering to buy it.

Yet another profoundly meaningful guest post... ^_^

Actually it's pretty spot on, Amtrak's only going to have the equipment if we buy it for them!

I think is pretty much the reality too. I am sure that there is lots of things Amtrak would like to buy, and we here on this website would like to see/suggest Amtrak to buy, but Amtrak doesn't simply because it doesn't have the money.