Good points but I'd take the Lounge first!It does seem these days that the diner is at the head end and the sleeper is at the end, I bet you're right about those final two cars deadheading. Usually in St Louis a coach is attached or detached to the very end (depending on direction of travel, in most cases, or how heavily the passenger load getting on is)
do they even have enough staff on the TE to staff BOTH a diner (usually 2 people these days) AND a Lounge? I'd love to see the lounges back but I want to see traditional dining back first.
Much quicker to implement, just clean it up, inspect and hook it up in the consist!
Highball!