Viewliner Diner

[rtabern]

A pretty reliable source of mine who works at Amtrak told me that the proto-type Viewliner Diner "Indianapolis" was finished on Friday... the last step being the set of curtains over the second set of windows... and is going to be making a run upto Chicago to show some Amtrak officials. This is supposed to take place SOMETIME this week... probably on Wednesday's Hoosier State or Cardinal. Keep an eye out if you live along the route -- I hope someone can snag some photos! :blink: I guess the official announcement is supposed to come from Washington about the diner being done next week -- so AMTK is going to try and keep this move somewhat hush-hush and make sure the car isn't open to the public... it will just be deadheading on the "hospital train".

 

[Ryan]

Awesome! Can't wait for a ride in it!

I'm also glad to see that they're naming it, hopefully this trend will continue.

 

[Bob Dylan]

And it's going on the Cardinal to replace the Diner Lite right??

 

[rtabern]

And it's going on the Cardinal to replace the Diner Lite right??

My best guess is that they will first replace the Heritage Diners on the Lake Shore Limited, Crescent, Silver Star, Silver Meteor, etc. first... and then if there are enough around replace the Diner-lite on the Cardinal. I think the urgency is the fact Amtrak is still running 1940's and 1950's diners on most of the east coast trains. As much as I love them and feel like bad they're going, I guess they need to be replaced.

 

[Acela150]

And it's going on the Cardinal to replace the Diner Lite right??

We can only hope! :giggle: It's good to see a diner being released!

 

[The Davy Crockett]

As much as I love them and feel like bad they're going, I guess they need to be replaced.

I can see it now, they will end up in Canada where VIA will rehab them and keep them in well-maintained condition... and they will prove reliable for another 60+ years. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[RCrierie]

Supposedly according to railroad.net (http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=66784&start=90)

The Lake Shore Limited 48/49 will get it.

 

[AlanB]

The original plans from way back were that the LSL would get the prototype.

 

[Donctor]

The original plans from way back were that the LSL would get the prototype.

Isn't the LSL also supposed to get the first cars of the new order? Or am I misremembering?

 

[jis]

The original plans from way back were that the LSL would get the prototype.

Isn't the LSL also supposed to get the first cars of the new order? Or am I misremembering?

Yes. So we were told by the Amtrak spokesperson at the ESPA annual meeting in Schenectady earlier this year.

 

[abcnews]

One more reason to get out and ride those Eastern single level trains - I love the Heritage dinners, and I really hate to see them go. A bit of a vintage moment when you have a meal in one of those classic dinners. However, the Viewliner sleepers seems so nice, I can't wait to see the new Viewliner diner.

How soon until they will have one or two in operation?

**Also - are they going to have a new Viewliner (Sightseer style ) Lounge?

 

[Ryan]

Hopefully one day, but no plans for that at the present time. The order for new Viewliners consists of sleepers, diners, bag/dorms and bags.

 

[abcnews]

Thanks to all for the info - good stuff to know...

 

[had8ley]

Maybe, just maybe, they'll shuffle the LSL's diner to the Cardinal in the interim while they wait on a Viewliner...

 

[AlanB]

Maybe, just maybe, they'll shuffle the LSL's diner to the Cardinal in the interim while they wait on a Viewliner...

That won't happen!

Amtrak can't afford to put a diner on the Cardinal until the new Viewliner dorm/bags are online. Putting a full diner on the Card would mean that available roomettes would drop from the current 8 down by at least another 1 or 2. Little point of putting on a diner for only 6 roomettes & 2 bedrooms.

 

[Rail Freak]

Maybe, just maybe, they'll shuffle the LSL's diner to the Cardinal in the interim while they wait on a Viewliner...

That won't happen!

Amtrak can't afford to put a diner on the Cardinal until the new Viewliner dorm/bags are online. Putting a full diner on the Card would mean that available roomettes would drop from the current 8 down by at least another 1 or 2. Little point of putting on a diner for only 6 roomettes & 2 bedrooms.

Because of staff???

 

[abcnews]

I guess once they have 3 diners available - and 3 new baggage/dorm cars, then the Cardinal would be likely to see an upgrade. And the addition of the baggage dorms would free up several Roomettes, making it a more profitable train to operate, and that, perhaps combined with an extra coach car, could help to cut the losses associated with the current Cardinal.

When will they have the first few baggage dorm cars?

 

[AlanB]

Maybe, just maybe, they'll shuffle the LSL's diner to the Cardinal in the interim while they wait on a Viewliner...

That won't happen!

Amtrak can't afford to put a diner on the Cardinal until the new Viewliner dorm/bags are online. Putting a full diner on the Card would mean that available roomettes would drop from the current 8 down by at least another 1 or 2. Little point of putting on a diner for only 6 roomettes & 2 bedrooms.

Because of staff???

One single level dining car can easily handle two full sleepers and when fully staffed, 3 sleepers. Putting on a full dining car to handle 6 roomettes, 2 bedrooms, and 1 H-room is a waste of a dining car. And it's a costly expense for Amtrak that won't pay dividends via other ways.

Until Amtrak can get the crew out of the regular sleeper, and potentially have at least 30 patrons for the diner, there is no point in wasting a diner on the Card when they're in short supply to begin with. They need a spare more than the Card needs a diner to serve potentially 18 people.

I know that sounds harsh, but economics do have to intrude at least a bit into these decisions. Sometimes Amtrak goes too far, but this is not one of those cases. Besides, the Card would need 2 diners and Amtrak is only adding one dining car with the release of the proto-type.

Once all the new Viewliner II's are in service, then we can talk about and hope for a real diner on the Card; but not now.

 

[AlanB]

I guess once they have 3 diners available - and 3 new baggage/dorm cars, then the Cardinal would be likely to see an upgrade. And the addition of the baggage dorms would free up several Roomettes, making it a more profitable train to operate, and that, perhaps combined with an extra coach car, could help to cut the losses associated with the current Cardinal.

Very unlikely. I'd expect and hope that they'll wait until most of the new cars are delivered before they'll think about changes to the Card. In fact, I'm hoping that they can find the money to first blitz all of the Viewliner I cars with a major overhaul as the new cars come online, before looking at any new services or changes to the existing services.

When will they have the first few baggage dorm cars?

I've not see any delivery timetables yet. The first new cars are expected at the end of next year, but no word on what types of cars might be the first to roll out. It wouldn't however surprise me to see baggage cars first, since they require the least amount of interior work.

 

[had8ley]

Maybe, just maybe, they'll shuffle the LSL's diner to the Cardinal in the interim while they wait on a Viewliner...

That won't happen!

Amtrak can't afford to put a diner on the Cardinal until the new Viewliner dorm/bags are online. Putting a full diner on the Card would mean that available roomettes would drop from the current 8 down by at least another 1 or 2. Little point of putting on a diner for only 6 roomettes & 2 bedrooms.

Because of staff???

One single level dining car can easily handle two full sleepers and when fully staffed, 3 sleepers. Putting on a full dining car to handle 6 roomettes, 2 bedrooms, and 1 H-room is a waste of a dining car. And it's a costly expense for Amtrak that won't pay dividends via other ways.

Until Amtrak can get the crew out of the regular sleeper, and potentially have at least 30 patrons for the diner, there is no point in wasting a diner on the Card when they're in short supply to begin with. They need a spare more than the Card needs a diner to serve potentially 18 people.

I know that sounds harsh, but economics do have to intrude at least a bit into these decisions. Sometimes Amtrak goes too far, but this is not one of those cases. Besides, the Card would need 2 diners and Amtrak is only adding one dining car with the release of the proto-type.

Once all the new Viewliner II's are in service, then we can talk about and hope for a real diner on the Card; but not now.

But we're not taking into account the coach pax who may want to eat in the diner plus the OBS has to eat also (yes, I know, they already do.)Right now I wouldn't buy a tix based on the horror stories of packed premises for meal periods and lack of decent menu items for lack of a grill.If I want steam table I'll go to a Chinese buffet... :lol:

 

[eagle628]

But we're not taking into account the coach pax who may want to eat in the diner plus the OBS has to eat also (yes, I know, they already do.)Right now I wouldn't buy a tix based on the horror stories of packed premises for meal periods and lack of decent menu items for lack of a grill.If I want steam table I'll go to a Chinese buffet... :lol:

Yes, well, on the Cardinal you have three coaches/one sleeper worth of people and on the Lake Shore Limited you have five or six (I think) coaches and three (maybe four?) sleepers. Shouldn't priority be given to the train that has more demand, on the basis that for the same amount of money you can serve more people by focusing on the LSL?

 

[jis]

But we're not taking into account the coach pax who may want to eat in the diner plus the OBS has to eat also (yes, I know, they already do.)Right now I wouldn't buy a tix based on the horror stories of packed premises for meal periods and lack of decent menu items for lack of a grill.If I want steam table I'll go to a Chinese buffet... :lol:

OTOH since they appear to be selling all seats and rooms on that train at relatively high prices, it probably does not matter a hill of beans what you'll do . Incidentally, the dinner on the Cardinal has never been bad each time I traveled. The Salmon dish was pretty good the last time. Could it be better? of course! Is it unacceptably horrible? I don't think so.

LSL is one of the most heavily patronized single level trains and rightfully it should get attention first.

 

[NE933]

Luv this news!!

Now, some mention of the Viewliner I sleeper overhauls, namely those with the slightly lowered stripes on the outside, plus the removal of the individual 'view' names. While occupying these cars three months ago, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of difference. In fact, alot of the issues plaguing Viewliners (need to jam towels to keep doors from vibrating, use of duct tape, and shower doors requiring velcro to close) were still present. Can anyone elaborate why these overhauls weren't so good?

 

[had8ley]

But we're not taking into account the coach pax who may want to eat in the diner plus the OBS has to eat also (yes, I know, they already do.)Right now I wouldn't buy a tix based on the horror stories of packed premises for meal periods and lack of decent menu items for lack of a grill.If I want steam table I'll go to a Chinese buffet... :lol:

OTOH since they appear to be selling all seats and rooms on that train at relatively high prices, it probably does not matter a hill of beans what you'll do . Incidentally, the dinner on the Cardinal has never been bad each time I traveled. The Salmon dish was pretty good the last time. Could it be better? of course! Is it unacceptably horrible? I don't think so.

LSL is one of the most heavily patronized single level trains and rightfully it should get attention first.

Jis...I think everybody is missing my point. If the LSL gets the new Viewliner diners all I propose is for the Cardinal to get the hand me down Heritage diners.

 

[NY Penn]

But we're not taking into account the coach pax who may want to eat in the diner plus the OBS has to eat also (yes, I know, they already do.)Right now I wouldn't buy a tix based on the horror stories of packed premises for meal periods and lack of decent menu items for lack of a grill.If I want steam table I'll go to a Chinese buffet... :lol:

OTOH since they appear to be selling all seats and rooms on that train at relatively high prices, it probably does not matter a hill of beans what you'll do . Incidentally, the dinner on the Cardinal has never been bad each time I traveled. The Salmon dish was pretty good the last time. Could it be better? of course! Is it unacceptably horrible? I don't think so.

LSL is one of the most heavily patronized single level trains and rightfully it should get attention first.

Jis...I think everybody is missing my point. If the LSL gets the new Viewliner diners all I propose is for the Cardinal to get the hand me down Heritage diners.

That's still a waste for the Cardinal.

I like the new Viewdiners. :lol: