Superliner trains' removal and restoration of cars (2022-2023)

[skylar]

732 is the transdorm car line for the Builder (it may not actually be a transdorm. In the recent past, some Builder consists have had transdorms, some standard sleepers). I have no idea why they use 32 for the transdorm on the Builder instead of the 40 car line that is used for the other trains, but they do.

Regardless, 732 is a transdorm car line and therefore relatively safe. The "base" sleeper and the transdorm on trains that have them are pretty assured to run. The 31 car line is the one that would be at risk for removal on the Builder.

Phew, thanks for the reassurance! One less thing off the travel worry list.

A couple (hopefully) quick questions about the transdorm if you have time - do the transdorms only have roomettes, and only on the upper level? I was a little disappointed to see room 12 on our ticket thinking this was the lower level on a standard Superliner, but it seems that the transdorms fit all the roomettes on the upper level?

Also, is the trandorm typically right behind the locomotive? Might pack some earplugs if that's the case.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Bob Dylan]

Phew, thanks for the reassurance! One less thing off the travel worry list.

A couple (hopefully) quick questions about the transdorm if you have time - do the transdorms only have roomettes, and only on the upper level? I was a little disappointed to see room 12 on our ticket thinking this was the lower level on a standard Superliner, but it seems that the transdorms fit all the roomettes on the upper level?

Also, is the trandorm typically right behind the locomotive? Might pack some earplugs if that's the case.

Thanks a bunch!

All the Roomettes are Upstairs in the Transdorm, and since the Builder is running without a Bag Car now, you will be next to the Engines.

 

[zephyr17]

Phew, thanks for the reassurance! One less thing off the travel worry list.

A couple (hopefully) quick questions about the transdorm if you have time - do the transdorms only have roomettes, and only on the upper level? I was a little disappointed to see room 12 on our ticket thinking this was the lower level on a standard Superliner, but it seems that the transdorms fit all the roomettes on the upper level?

Also, is the trandorm typically right behind the locomotive? Might pack some earplugs if that's the case.

Thanks a bunch!

IF it is running an actual transdorm, all roomettes are on the upper level. As I noted, recently some Builder consists have been running standard sleepers in the transdorm car line. If that is the case, I am not sure how they'll handle the room assignments, since there are roomettes that are routinely sold that don't exist on standard sleepers (16 and above, 15 being an alternative designation for the Family Room). Reports are that when a standard sleeper runs in a transdorm car line, they reassign rooms at boarding. So even if it is a standard sleeper, you may not wind up in 12 downstairs.

32 will have the baggage car between it and the engines. When I rode it in November, it had a baggage car. If the dropped it, they would have to have added a coach/bag to the Seattle section in order to remain ADA compliant (downstairs seating). If in addition to the single regular coach, that would be a good thing since a single Seattle coach is inadequate.

I think I'll run down to the Everett station this evening and have a look at 8's current consist and report back.

 

[joelkfla]

IF it is running an actual transdorm, all roomettes are on the upper level. As I noted, recently some Builder consists have been running standard sleepers in the transdorm car linel. If that is the case, I am not sure how they'll handle the room assignments, since there are roomettes that are routinely sold that don't exist on standard sleepers (16 and above, 15 being an alternative designation for the Family Room). Reports are that when a standard sleeper runs in a transdorm car line, they reassign rooms at boarding. So even if it is a standard sleeper, you may not wind up in 12 downstairs.

32 will have the baggage car between it and the engines. When I rode it in November, it had a baggage car. If the dropped it, they would have to have added a coach/bag to the Seattle section in order to remain ADA compliant (downstairs seating). If in addition to the single regular coach, that would be a good thing since a single Seattle coach is inadequate.

I think I'll run down to the Everett station this evening and have a look at 8's current consist and report back.

If it's a transdorm, wouldn't the Roomette # be above 15? Craig Mashburn's transdorm diagram doesn't show a #12.

What's the line number of the Portland sleeper?

 

[zephyr17]

If it's a transdorm, wouldn't the Roomette # be above 15? Craig Mashburn's transdorm diagram doesn't show a #12.

What's the line number of the Portland sleeper?

Car line numbers of the Portland sleeper are 2730/2830.

Should have looked at that diagram. I knew the normal transdorm numbering on the aft end was above 15, but didn't know the other end. Will go down to Everett tonight and take a look at the consist.

732/832 has always been the transdorm car line for the Builder as long as I can remember. If they're selling non transdorm room numbers in it, that may have changed.

The 7 I rode on November 13th this year had a physical transdorm as 732.

 

[rlschur]

I just booked for 1/14 Roomette 13 from CHI-EMY in 532. Called and was told there was nothing available in the 531. This is a bucket list trip that fits well into the MLK weekend; could be months before I could reschedule. How has the CZ been running of late? Are we several months past them dropping the sleepers?

I suppose I could call back and seek another day to travel when 531 is available as I have a couple days in each direction. Any thoughts and insights appreciated. Thanks!

 

[user 14106]

I just booked for 1/14 Roomette 13 from CHI-EMY in 532. Called and was told there was nothing available in the 531. This is a bucket list trip that fits well into the MLK weekend; could be months before I could reschedule. How has the CZ been running of late? Are we several months past them dropping the sleepers?

I suppose I could call back and seek another day to travel when 531 is available as I have a couple days in each direction. Any thoughts and insights appreciated. Thanks!

You could try that but I personally wouldn't cancel just yet - I'd say it's looking better that the 32 car is coming back. It appears like the first week of January based on room availability on the website and different peoples' reports of having reservations early January. I just did another inventory search and like I saw last week there is still a much bigger availability of sleeper inventory on the train beginning 1/3 in the westbound direction and 1/6 in the eastbound direction and it continues after that - appearing like the sleeper line is returning. Obviously can't make any guarantees but we are now under 2 weeks from then and those rooms are still available. My suggestion would be to wait until that first week of the year to see if the car shows up in the consist between now and then - if it does you're likely good. I'm planning to watch the Galesburg railfan cam that day and we'll see if it shows up. So far I haven't seen any reports that it's running though I haven't checked. Is the QR still showing up on your res?

 

[rlschur]

You could try that but I personally wouldn't cancel just yet - I'd say it's looking better that the 32 car is coming back. It appears like the first week of January based on room availability on the website and different peoples' reports of having reservations early January. I just did another inventory search and like I saw last week there is still a much bigger availability of sleeper inventory on the train beginning 1/3 in the westbound direction and 1/6 in the eastbound direction. Obviously can't make any guarantees but we are now under 2 weeks from then and those rooms are still available. My suggestion would be to wait until that first week of the year to see if the car shows up in the consist between now and then - if it does you're likely good. I'm planning to watch the Galesburg railfan cam that day and we'll see if it shows up. So far I haven't seen any reports that it's running though I haven't checked.

Thank you! Very helpful to know. I’ve been watching availability for months waiting to get enough AGR points from credit card to book. Today it happened. I did notice that room prices came way down maybe 6 weeks ago (suggesting rooms available) and have stayed below high bucket since then. It even ran low bucket for a few weeks on that departure.

You would think that at a certain point, with the train full, they’d be planning the run that sleeper.

Forgot to ask, is the transdorm worth exploring? More likely to run?

 

[user 14106]

Thank you! Very helpful to know. I’ve been watching availability for months waiting to get enough AGR points from credit card to book. Today it happened. I did notice that room prices came way down maybe 6 weeks ago (suggesting rooms available) and have stayed below high bucket since then. It even ran low bucket for a few weeks on that departure.

You would think that at a certain point, with the train full, they’d be planning the run that sleeper.

Forgot to ask, is the transdorm worth exploring? More likely to run?

It’s definitely a safer bet as the trans dorm is running now in case they did some last minute change of plans - but they’ve always usually given at least 2 weeks notice and we’re under that now so my prediction now would be the car is returning. Certainly not going to bet money but I feel better about it then a couple weeks ago when I first noticed this as they still had time to drop the car. I’d do whatever makes you comfortable - I certainly can’t promise it’s going to run only that some indications are pointing towards it at least a bit better than they were before. If the trans dorm isn’t available you could watch for the car that week. If it’s back that week then you’re good as that would be a result of winter consist shifts which will stick around until spring sometime.

 

[rlschur]

It’s definitely a safer bet as the trans dorm is running now in case they did some last minute change of plans - but they’ve always usually given at least 2 weeks notice and we’re under that now so my prediction now would be the car is returning. Certainly not going to bet money but I feel better about it then a couple weeks ago when I first noticed this as they still had time to drop the car. I’d do whatever makes you comfortable - I certainly can’t promise it’s going to run only that some indications are pointing towards it at least a bit better than they were before. If the trans dorm isn’t available you could watch for the car that week. If it’s back that week then you’re good as that would be a result of winter consist shifts which will stick around until spring sometime.

Great points. Data point here. I called again, this time the AGR number. Voila, room 10 in 531. This agent seemed way more competent.

 

[user 14106]

Great points. Data point here. I called again, this time the AGR number. Voila, room 10 in 531. This agent seemed way more competent.

There you go - will still be interesting to see if the 32 car shows up.

 

[Railspike]

From reading the various threads it appears there are cars stored and cars damaged awaiting various degrees of repair.
Since Amtrak maintenance is supposedly still understaffed, would it not make sense to farm some of these cars out for repair elsewhere? Realizing it most likely takes special mechanical training to work on a car, there are companies that work on privately owned rail cars who might like the extra work. Doesn't Amtrak have money from the Biden bill that could be used on repairs and restoration? Or is this even a possibility?

 

[user 14106]

From reading the various threads it appears there are cars stored and cars damaged awaiting various degrees of repair.
Since Amtrak maintenance is supposedly still understaffed, would it not make sense to farm some of these cars out for repair elsewhere? Realizing it most likely takes special mechanical training to work on a car, there are companies that work on privately owned rail cars who might like the extra work. Doesn't Amtrak have money from the Biden bill that could be used on repairs and restoration? Or is this even a possibility?

There was some talk that they looked at that but there wasn't really wasn't much interest (as some of the companies you'd farm out to are also dealing with the same problem.)

 

[BlackDiamond]

I imagine the Unions might not be too happy about farming out repair work as it would set a precedent for outsourcing more of such work.

 

[fengshui]

Another anecdotal report:

I'm on the Sunset Limited today, and there is no transition sleeper or crew car. There is one Texas Eagle sleeper and one Sunset Limited sleeper, that's all. Half the SL sleepers (7 of the upstairs roomettes) are in use by crew. No idea what demand would have been for rooms in a second SL sleeper, but here we are.

 

[jis]

Another anecdotal report:

I'm on the Sunset Limited today, and there is no transition sleeper or crew car. There is one Texas Chief sleeper and one Sunset Limited sleeper, that's all. Half the SL sleepers (7 of the upstairs roomettes) are in use by crew. No idea what demand would have been for rooms in a second SL sleeper, but here we are.

Texas Chief! Now that's a name I have not come across in a while ever since Amtrak renamed that train the Lone Star and then cancelled it.

You really meant to say Texas Eagle.

 

[fengshui]

Texas Chief! Now that's a name I have not come across in a while ever since Amtrak renamed that train the Lone Star and then cancelled it.

You really meant to say Texas Eagle.

Indeed, it's early in the morning..... I'll correct it.

 

[Rasputin]

Texas Chief! Now that's a name I have not come across in a while ever since Amtrak renamed that train the Lone Star and then cancelled it.

You really meant to say Texas Eagle.

But thanks very much for the error which brought back memories of the Santa Fe's Texas Chief and a sad reminder of how much we have lost.

 

[user 14106]

5(3) has a 532 sleeper as seen at Galesburg. It looks like a reg sleeper also subbing for the transition dorm on today’s train.

 

[user 14106]

Checked back again today - 5 zephyr again had a 532 car - transition followed by two sleepers. Looking at the video today I may have been mistaken yesterday and it was a transition with two regular yesterday. Looks like this sleeper line is back for now.

 

[Bonser]

IF it is running an actual transdorm, all roomettes are on the upper level. As I noted, recently some Builder consists have been running standard sleepers in the transdorm car line. If that is the case, I am not sure how they'll handle the room assignments, since there are roomettes that are routinely sold that don't exist on standard sleepers (16 and above, 15 being an alternative designation for the Family Room). Reports are that when a standard sleeper runs in a transdorm car line, they reassign rooms at boarding. So even if it is a standard sleeper, you may not wind up in 12 downstairs.

32 will have the baggage car between it and the engines. When I rode it in November, it had a baggage car. If the dropped it, they would have to have added a coach/bag to the Seattle section in order to remain ADA compliant (downstairs seating). If in addition to the single regular coach, that would be a good thing since a single Seattle coach is inadequate.

I think I'll run down to the Everett station this evening and have a look at 8's current consist and report back.

I'm traveling on the Builder in late March. They will have baggage service CHI-SEA right???

 

[zephyr17]

I'm traveling on the Builder in late March. They will have baggage service CHI-SEA right???

Yes, they'll have checked baggage. I was really responding to the question whether the transdorm was right next to the engine, and that, no, the baggage car would be between the locomotives and transdorm. If they pulled the baggage car, they'd have to add a coach/bag.

Either way, they'll handle checked bags.

 

[Bonser]

Yes, they'll have checked baggage. I was really responding to the question whether the transdorm was right next to the engine, and that, no, the baggage car would be between the locomotives and transdorm. If they pulled the baggage car, they'd have to add a coach/bag.

Either way, they'll handle checked bags.

Thank you Zephyr 17. I regularly travel on the Zephyr to SF but this year I'm going there via Seattle and I've only taken the EB once before - eastbound from Portland - about 5 yrs ago.

 

[AmtrakFlyer]

Reports are 32 car is removed off the CZ this time it’s indefinitely gone through the summer 23 at least. Downgrade emails are going out.

 

[MccfamschoolMom]

Reports are 32 car is removed off the CZ this time it’s indefinitely gone through the summer 23 at least. Downgrade emails are going out.

I'll be in the 532 car on 9/30. Haven't seen any emails altering that yet, & (fingers crossed) hope I don't see any.