SSL Car

[MrFSS]

I know I don't get out much, but I have, over the years been in a number if SSL cars. I've never seen one with tables and seats as this one has. Are there many out there like this one? Is it only used on the TE?

Picture

 

[AAARGH!]

I know I don't get out much, but I have, over the years been in a number if SSL cars. I've never seen one with tables and seats as this one has. Are there many out there like this one? Is it only used on the TE?
Picture

Last year, they had ones like this on the CZ and EB (IIRC).

 

[the_traveler]

That's how the refurbished Sightseers are now. Seats in 2/3 of the car and booths on one end. I had them on all my trips in the past year.

They have to let you out of your cage more! :lol:

 

[MrFSS]

That's how the refurbished Sightseers are now. Seats in 2/3 of the car and booths on one end. I had them on all my trips in the past year.
They have to let you out of your cage more! :lol:

I told you I don't get out much!

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

I have never seen a SSL that didn't have tables on the upper level...

 

[AlanB]

I have never seen a SSL that didn't have tables on the upper level...

Then just like Tom, you need to get out more. :lol:

 

[rtabern]

Most SSL cars on the Empire Builder are like this now... and I think on most other lines. I usually get a car like the one in the picture when doing my Trails & Rails presentations from Chicago to St. Paul. There are some of the all-seat and no-booth SSL cars going are... but it seems you're more likely to find them on the Texas Eagle and Southwest Chief for whatever reason. (Ya know, the all-brown ones)

 

[TVRM610]

looks pretty.... I have not ridden in one but I do remember reading about them. Don't they use them on Auto Train for partial diner seating? Or did I pull that theory out of the air?

Either way... the booths are nice.

 

[saxman]

looks pretty.... I have not ridden in one but I do remember reading about them. Don't they use them on Auto Train for partial diner seating? Or did I pull that theory out of the air?
Either way... the booths are nice.

I don't think they use those particular ones on the Auto Train. I heard the AT lounges are way different.

But as far as the SSL's with the tables on one end are pretty standard these days. Every once in a while you see the old brown 70's looking ones on the Eagle. Seems like last time on the Coast Starlight they had the older pink and gray interiors too.

 

[TVRM610]

fair enough....

i rarely ride the superliner trains anymore... i try to stay east coast... I have grown very very fond of the way single level equipment rides, so that's where i spend my money. Course the scenery sure is better out west!

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

I have never seen a SSL that didn't have tables on the upper level...

Then just like Tom, you need to get out more. :lol:

Tell me you're joking... you want me to read my signature again?

 

[AlanB]

looks pretty.... I have not ridden in one but I do remember reading about them. Don't they use them on Auto Train for partial diner seating? Or did I pull that theory out of the air?
Either way... the booths are nice.

I don't think they use those particular ones on the Auto Train. I heard the AT lounges are way different.

But as far as the SSL's with the tables on one end are pretty standard these days. Every once in a while you see the old brown 70's looking ones on the Eagle. Seems like last time on the Coast Starlight they had the older pink and gray interiors too.

The Auto Train has 5 specialy designed lounge cars, that were rebuilt from Superliner I dining cars. These typically handle most of the Auto Train's needs. But there are one for sure, perhaps two, Sightseer lounges that were converted for AT use and they do indeed have tables in one half of the car. The other difference is that the seating area normally downstairs in the SSL is given over to a special enclosed smoking room.

 

[AlanB]

I have never seen a SSL that didn't have tables on the upper level...

Then just like Tom, you need to get out more. :lol:

Tell me you're joking... you want me to read my signature again?

If you haven't seen an SSL without tables, then yes, you need to get out more.

Not counting the Auto Train, I think that I've seen maybe 3 or 4 SSL's with tables. Most of my rides have been without tables.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

I have never seen a SSL that didn't have tables on the upper level...

Then just like Tom, you need to get out more. :lol:

Tell me you're joking... you want me to read my signature again?

If you haven't seen an SSL without tables, then yes, you need to get out more.

Not counting the Auto Train, I think that I've seen maybe 3 or 4 SSL's with tables. Most of my rides have been without tables.

Every one i've been on has had them- although as you can see by my siganture, most of my travels, and all older ones, have been on Viewliner/Heritage/Amfleet trains. I've only ridden the Capitol Limited 3 times, and all the sightseer lounge cars I have ridden in have had tables- all three of 'em.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

I have never seen a SSL that didn't have tables on the upper level...

Then just like Tom, you need to get out more. :lol:

Tell me you're joking... you want me to read my signature again?

If you haven't seen an SSL without tables, then yes, you need to get out more.

Not counting the Auto Train, I think that I've seen maybe 3 or 4 SSL's with tables. Most of my rides have been without tables.

If I had to count the number of SSLs I've been in, it would be above 30. Each one had tables at the end. I know for a fact, I sat down in each of them.

 

[AlanB]

The tables are becoming more common as they refurb them, I won't deny it. But for me, I've still seen many more without than with.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

The tables are becoming more common as they refurb them, I won't deny it. But for me, I've still seen many more without than with.

I suppose it's possible since most of my trips are on the CL and that means the cars aren't rotated out as often as if I changed a route every day-- but still.

 

[the_traveler]

The tables are becoming more common as they refurb them, I won't deny it. But for me, I've still seen many more without than with.

Then YOU need to get out more too! I haven't seen a double sided seat one in a long time!

 

[MrFSS]

All this raises the question - which type do you like best? Why?

 

[AAARGH!]

All this raises the question - which type do you like best? Why?

I did see an old 'brown' non-table SSLs on the CS or the EB last year (can't remember which though, but it was one of them).

PROS to the new 'table' design:

• Place to put laptop, food, paper, homework, GPS, cards, games, head :huh: , etc....
  
• It's nice to stretch your legs sitting parallel to the bench seat.
  
• It lets you see out both sides of the car more easily.
  
• You can sit closer to the window.
  
• A group of four can sit together much more easily.
  

CONS:

• High demand for remaining non-table seats
  
• High demand for tables, often all are taken for long periods of time. Coach passengers sit at tables for looong periods of time, often for an entire day, leaving few for sleeper passengers.
  
• Many times families with small children sit at these tables and can be very loud. One time we had to call the conductor because a very loud (and very obnoxious) family would not quiet down even after several nearby passengers asked them to. The tables makes it easier for this type of thing to happen in the SSL.
  
• Windows get scratched / dirty more easily at booths. Because you can literally put your back against the window, they get smudged / dirty (on the inside) more easily. This is nit-picky on my part though.
  

In my opinion, the PROS outweigh the CONS and I like the new ones!

 

[Bierboy]

...Every one i've been on has had them- although as you can see by my siganture, most of my travels, and all older ones, have been on Viewliner/Heritage/Amfleet trains. I've only ridden the Capitol Limited 3 times, and all the sightseer lounge cars I have ridden in have had tables- all three of 'em.

We were on the SWC two years ago and the EB this year, and, in both cases, the SSLs had the mix of tables and chairs (both directions).

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

...Every one i've been on has had them- although as you can see by my siganture, most of my travels, and all older ones, have been on Viewliner/Heritage/Amfleet trains. I've only ridden the Capitol Limited 3 times, and all the sightseer lounge cars I have ridden in have had tables- all three of 'em.

We were on the SWC two years ago and the EB this year, and, in both cases, the SSLs had the mix of tables and chairs (both directions).

Yes, methinks AlanB might need to get out more