Speculation about remaining life of Superliners

[railiner]

The B&O always provided great service, unlike PRR. My ride in the Shenandoah (it had a 10-6 then) was bittersweet. After so many trips on B&O’s National Ltd i knew I wouldn’t ride this route again as it was clear it wouldn’t last. I don’t know for sure but I suspect influential Congressman Harley Staggers had something to do with its existence.

I agree. The B&O conductor treated passengers as “his guests, riding his train”.
He truly worked hard to try to ensure its continuation, which unfortunately did not happen. The haughty PRR crews often treated passengers as an imposition.
Probably where Amtrak’s “culture” for some originated…

 

[jis]

MODERATOR'S NOTE: Let us veer back to discussing remaining life of Superliners in this thread and if so desired, start a thread of its own to share fond memories of PRR and B&O please. Thanks.

 

[Steve4031]

I remember reading that one significant issue with the superliners is maintaining the HVAC systems to prevent breakdowns. It would be great if Amtrak could find a way to address this. The carpeting attracts and retains grime. IMHO, replacing the carpet with an easily cleaned surface would be better. The same would be true of the floors in the bathrooms.

 

[AFriendly]

Internal systems like plumbing, HVAC, and electrical may need partial or complete replacement but those aren't necessarily life-limiting issues. In fact, if Amtrak was properly capitalized, these systems would have been rehabbed on the Superliners a long time ago. As an example, the last passenger Boeing 767 rolled off the line in 2011, I believe. I guarantee you that aircraft isn't flying with the same cabin it had at that time. Your limiting factors are structural integrity and possibly the wheel trucks.

 

[Siegmund]

Let me note, re "VIA proving that you can keep Heritage Fleet running for 70 years"... VIA never bought new long distance equipment, but they didn't keep all, or most, or even 25%, of their old equipment running for 70 years. When they started, there were two daily Vancouver-Toronto/Montreal trains, *three* daily Montreal-Maritime trains, 6 trains a week to Churchill, etc.

Enough equipment was still in working order 1985-1990 to restore many of the trains cut in 1981. But very soon after 1990 it became a physical impossibility to run the pre-1990 schedule even if the operating budget allowed. We are down to a tenth of the service we started with and very roughly the same proportion of serviceable equipment. It didn't "last 70 years", but lasted 40 years and was
cannibalized for parts until a few survivors lasted 70 years.

Same deal with having once had upwards of 80 RDCs, dwindling to 5 today.

Amtrak may well be able to keep 200 Superliners going another 10 years, and 100 of them going another 20. (I hope they can, since I'm sure the upcoming equipment order won't be large enough to meet demand- no previous order ever has been.)