Viewliner II Part 2: Dining Car Production, Delivery, Speculation

[VT Hokie]

While Amtrak has yet to even issue a RFP for Amfleet replacements (nor is one likely imminent) some rail buffs practically already have the contract awarded to Siemens. For all any of us knows at this point, the contract will eventually go to CAF or Alstom or even Joe's Car Foundry & Bait Shop.

I'm hoping for a Super Steel Schenectady revival!

 

[jis]

ROTFL!

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[IndyLions]

Just arrived a little while ago in DC on the Crescent (20) after my first experience in a new diner. I’m 90% sure it was Annapolis. Real silverware, cloth napkins and VERY tasty freshly made pancakes. Thought the decor was lovely, and the car rode very well. If I had a real coffee cup it would have been an A+!



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[VT Hokie]

The cars seem very nice! It may take CAF forever to make 'em, but they seem to be putting out a good product.

 

[cpotisch]

Just arrived a little while ago in DC on the Crescent (20) after my first experience in a new diner. I’m 90% sure it was Annapolis. Real silverware, cloth napkins and VERY tasty freshly made pancakes. Thought the decor was lovely, and the car rode very well. If I had a real coffee cup it would have been an A+!

IMG_5842.jpg

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Annapolis is car 68001. There will be a nameplate on the wall with that number. It is also the only V-II built in 2016, (which is also written there). If it had shown any of that, you were in Annapolis.

As to the pancakes, I had them a few weeks ago in 68013, and I thought they were great.

 

[Thirdrail7]

Just arrived a little while ago in DC on the Crescent (20) after my first experience in a new diner. I’m 90% sure it was Annapolis.

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It did have the Annapolis. Additionally, Lansing is released for service and is currently protecting in HIA.

 

[TiBike]

Nice picture. Looks like at least one of the tables is surplus to requirements, though.

 

[west point]

Talked to a SCA. The only problem she said was lack of storage. Maybe store some items in the baggage car ?

 

[LookingGlassTie]

Just arrived a little while ago in DC on the Crescent (20) after my first experience in a new diner. I’m 90% sure it was Annapolis. Real silverware, cloth napkins and VERY tasty freshly made pancakes. Thought the decor was lovely, and the car rode very well. If I had a real coffee cup it would have been an A+!

IMG_5842.jpg

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum

That is awesome. I hope to eat in one of those new diners someday!

 

[cpotisch]

Just arrived a little while ago in DC on the Crescent (20) after my first experience in a new diner. I’m 90% sure it was Annapolis.

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum

It did have the Annapolis. Additionally, Lansing is released for service and is currently protecting in HIA.

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tommylicious]

This is a brilliant idea. They just have to install food safe racks, etc. But, those VL baggage cars are like...80% empty most of the time?

Talked to a SCA. The only problem she said was lack of storage. Maybe store some items in the baggage car ?

 

[OBS]

Talked to a SCA. The only problem she said was lack of storage. Maybe store some items in the baggage car ?

According to another crew member on SM two weeks ago, another challenge is the grill is considerably smaller than the heritage diners. Thus, especially at breakfast, it can slow down service if you have a lot of pancake/egg/omelette orders....

 

[Thirdrail7]

According to another crew member on SM two weeks ago, another challenge is the grill is considerably smaller than the heritage diners. Thus, especially at breakfast, it can slow down service if you have a lot of pancake/egg/omelette orders....

Is that stuff still cooked to order or are they reheated on the grill?

 

[OBS]

Cooked to order. My tablemate had egg shell fragments in his eggs....The french toast, I think, is pre made and warmed on grill. Pancakes cooked to order.

I was watching the service at breakfast (first ride in new diners) and was wondering why the Continental orders were appearing much quicker than rest of food and then heard that explanation and it all fit together.

 

[cpotisch]

So with my trip on LSL #48 coming happening in just 28 days (2/21), it seems there will not be a full diner in time.

 

[MikefromCrete]

So with my trip on LSL #48 coming happening in just 28 days (2/21), it seems there will not be a full diner in time.

Amtrak hasn't made any announcement about replacing the diners yet, so anything is possible.

 

[Ziv]

Too bad about the shrunken grill. I wonder how much input actual cooks got with regards to the layout of the kitchen and the size of the various appliances.

Cooked to order. My tablemate had egg shell fragments in his eggs....The french toast, I think, is pre made and warmed on grill. Pancakes cooked to order.

I was watching the service at breakfast (first ride in new diners) and was wondering why the Continental orders were appearing much quicker than rest of food and then heard that explanation and it all fit together.

 

[OBS]

As I recall, they met with employees before designing these cars to get their input. Of course what happened to the input is anyone's guess at this point....

 

[Ryan]

And ran the 8400 as a prototype to collect data and feedback.

Again, who knows how much of that was implemented, but they at least did some level of legwork.

 

[west point]

When has anyone gotten every thing correct when designing a new product ? Probably the grill problem will have a fix some time in the future ?

 

[Bob Dylan]

When has anyone gotten every thing correct when designing a new product ? Probably the grill problem will have a fix some time in the future ?

Never be "the first on your block" to own a new product!

 

[Palmetto]

Then, when they get all the kinks worked out, they discontinue the product!

 

[willem]

Then, when they get all the kinks worked out, they discontinue the product!

That's the truth!

For some reason, that reminded me of the old joke about hardware engineers making computers faster and software engineers making computers slower—and the software engineers are winning.

 

[Thirdrail7]

Lansing is making its first run today.

 

[cpotisch]

Lansing is making its first run today.

Yay! Do you know why it took Jackson/Lansing a whole two months to enter service?