Viewliner II Part 4: Sleeping Car production, delivery, deployment

[John Santos]

I think the VL II cubbies are longer but shallower than the VL I's. Most of the space above the corridor in the VL I's is shared by the two opposing roomettes. About half the length of each is cubby, and since the two roomettes are arranged head to tail, each gets half the length and the entire width (less the thickness of the wall) of that space.
I haven't ridden a VL II yet (maybe in May?!) but from the pictures, it looks like the VL II cubbies are longer (front-to-back) though not the full length of the roomette, but only half the width of the corridor. The two cubbies for opposing roomettes are back-to-back instead of side-by-side. This would make them only half as deep, and since they don't appear to extend the full length of the roomette, much less volume than the VL I's.

Since crumple zones seem to be an issue (or necessity) for meeting the crash-worthiness of new cars, wouldn't it make sense to put luggage racks at each end of the VL II sleepers? (Maybe I've answered my own question there.) Racks would be much more usable by many of the passengers who have trouble getting their luggage up into the overhead cubbies. It seems more difficult to get stuff up there than in typical overhead racks in coach. Maybe because the upper bed gets in the way?

All said, this is a bad time to be redesigning the VL II sleepers. Maybe useful for the VL III's or what ever they call the next single-level sleepers.

 

[Ryan]

So Joe and his team get the blame for this design mistake!

How exactly do you reckon "it's different" is a design mistake?

 

[Cal]

They do plan on continuing to operate the newer VL2 cars with whatever new LD fleet is ordered.

Gotta say, this will drive me a little crazy.

 

[joelkfla]

Gotta say, this will drive me a little crazy.

Loosen up, Variety is the spice of life.

 

[danlb_2000]

I got both an old and new sleeper on my trip last week so I took the opportunity to measure the storage cubbies.

Old: 36" wide, 23" deep, total height, 17", but only 12" clearance over the bar.
New: 36" wide, 17" deep, total height 16", 11" clearance over the bar.

I did really appreciate the extra storage where the toilet used to be in the Viewliner II.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I did really appreciate the extra storage where the toilet used to be in the Viewliner II.

I rode a VLII last October and immediately noticed that my bag would fit under the step. The SCA apparently had not seen anyone do that. I suspect he has added that tidbit to his "room tour" for newbies.

 

[cocojacoby]

I got both an old and new sleeper on my trip last week so I took the opportunity to measure the storage cubbies.

Old: 36" wide, 23" deep, total height, 17", but only 12" clearance over the bar.
New: 36" wide, 17" deep, total height 16", 11" clearance over the bar.

I did really appreciate the extra storage where the toilet used to be in the Viewliner II.

Initially you would think that they put something new over the aisle (such as the electrical cable) but because the rooms alternate I would think there isn't that much opportunity to do so but maybe they zig-zagged it in.

I so wish they did something about that bar since it greatly restricts access. Probably a simple lip would have sufficed? Maybe a door?

 

[danlb_2000]

Initially you would think that they put something new over the aisle (such as the electrical cable) but because the rooms alternate I would think there isn't that much opportunity to do so but maybe they zig-zagged it in.

I so wish they did something about that bar since it greatly restricts access. Probably a simple lip would have sufficed? Maybe a door?

Or straps that can be hooked up like the ones on the top bunk.

 

[Kbyrdleroydogg]

I'm on a Cardinal train 50 leaving Chicago going to NYC. It leaves Chicago at 5:55 CST.
Can someone tell me if any of the new Viewliner II cars could be on this route and I will board one of those? I'd love to be in one of these updated cars!

 

[jis]

I'm on a Cardinal train 50 leaving Chicago going to NYC. It leaves Chicago at 5:55 CST.
Can someone tell me if any of the new Viewliner II cars could be on this route and I will board one of those? I'd love to be in one of these updated cars!

What is your date of travel? If it is within the next several weeks then your are unlikely to get a new Viewliner on the Cardinal.

 

[Kbyrdleroydogg]

What is your date of travel? If it is within the next several weeks then your are unlikely to get a new Viewliner on the Cardinal.

Date of travel is July 23rd 2022

 

[jis]

Date of travel is July 23rd 2022

By then it is possible that there will be a change over to a VL-2. But we should know about such a change much before that, if it comes to pass. So hang onto your hat and see what comes about.

 

[IndyLions]

By then it is possible that there will be a change over to a VL-2. But we should know about such a change much before that, if it comes to pass. So hang onto your hat and see what comes about.

There is a VL2 on the Cardinal - but it is a combo Crew Dorm / Baggage Car. The Crew Dorm includes Roomettes that are similar/identical to the Roomettes available on a VL2 Sleeper. We seem to have pretty good information here that Amtrak intends to start booking a few of the excess Crew Dorm Roomettes that as of now go unused. As a matter of fact, we've had reports from members here who have been booked for future dates in the Crew Dorm.

So as jis says, hang on to your hat - and look for news on either a full VL2 sleeper on the Cardinal (less likely), or an opportunity to book a VL2 Crew Dorm Roomette (more likely)...

 

[IndyLions]

Which car numbers currently running on the LSL are VLII? Getting ready to schedule a trip, and want to make sure I get a room in a VLII car.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

The 12 car, I believe. It was that one back in October

 

[Keith1951]

I always thought the roomettes had toilets and sinks in them on the east coast trips. Have they stopped this? Before the pandemic, we used to ride the LSL and the Silver Star or Meteor and we had toilets. Now when Im booking these I dont see any trips with these facilities. Whats up?

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I always thought the roomettes had toilets and sinks in them on the east coast trips. Have they stopped this? Before the pandemic, we used to ride the LSL and the Silver Star or Meteor and we had toilets. Now when Im booking these I dont see any trips with these facilities. Whats up?

The old sleepers still have toilets & sinks in roomettes. The new sleepers only have the sink.
The LSL has one of each on 48/49
The Super Star (combined Star & Meteor) has 2 old & 3 new

 

[pennyk]

I always thought the roomettes had toilets and sinks in them on the east coast trips. Have they stopped this? Before the pandemic, we used to ride the LSL and the Silver Star or Meteor and we had toilets. Now when Im booking these I dont see any trips with these facilities. Whats up?

Today's Silver Star 92 (which I saw not too long ago) has 3 new viewliner (no toilets in roomettes, and 2 public restrooms in the car) and 2 old viewliner sleepers (toilets in roomettes and no public restrooms in the car). The 9210, 12 and 14 cars were new cars and 9211 and 9213 were old cars. If you wish a specific car, I would phone to make your reservation with an agent. I would not ask for new or old car, I would ask for even or odd car numbers. Of course, the current consist can change.

 

[peteypablo]

Date of travel is July 23rd 2022

I think the Cardinal started running Viewliner II on May 25, 2022. I'll let you know for sure after June 16, 2022, when my son rides on it.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I think the Cardinal started running Viewliner II on May 25, 2022. I'll let you know for sure after June 16, 2022, when my son rides on it.

Yes, the Cardinal now has a VLII. I've taken a couple of videos of it with the new sleeper. I think I posted a pic of it last week in another thread.

Here’s 51(27) leaving Wilmington, DE

 

[user 30927]

Today's Silver Star 92 (which I saw not too long ago) has 3 new viewliner (no toilets in roomettes, and 2 public restrooms in the car) and 2 old viewliner sleepers (toilets in roomettes and no public restrooms in the car). The 9210, 12 and 14 cars were new cars and 9211 and 9213 were old cars. If you wish a specific car, I would phone to make your reservation with an agent. I would not ask for new or old car, I would ask for even or odd car numbers. Of course, the current consist can change.

Hi new member here! I'm taking the silver star to NYP from WPB the end of the month. bought a roomette and it's car 9211 Do you think it's the old V1? Would like to have the room with the toilet!!! Have been talking Amtrak for years to NYC. Had some pretty bad experiences in coach next to Strangers!!
My last trip was 12/2021 and the social distancing vacant seat next to me. The train is 70% full now. Hopefully on trip back in August wont be that crowded. Or i'll have to get the roomette again.

 

[trimetbusfan]

Hi new member here! I'm taking the silver star to NYP from WPB the end of the month. bought a roomette and it's car 9211 Do you think it's the old V1? Would like to have the room with the toilet!!! Have been talking Amtrak for years to NYC. Had some pretty bad experiences in coach next to Strangers!!
My last trip was 12/2021 and the social distancing vacant seat next to me. The train is 70% full now. Hopefully on trip back in August wont be that crowded. Or i'll have to get the roomette again.

9111 usually runs with a V1 sleeper which has the toilets in all rooms and roomettes.

 

[pennyk]

Hi new member here! I'm taking the silver star to NYP from WPB the end of the month. bought a roomette and it's car 9211 Do you think it's the old V1? Would like to have the room with the toilet!!! Have been talking Amtrak for years to NYC. Had some pretty bad experiences in coach next to Strangers!!
My last trip was 12/2021 and the social distancing vacant seat next to me. The train is 70% full now. Hopefully on trip back in August wont be that crowded. Or i'll have to get the roomette again.

The "usual" consist these days is even numbered cars are V2 (new) and odd numbered cars are V1 (old with toilets in roomettes). However, there have been instances when that is not the case. (I feel very strongly about wanting a toilet in my room so I have been booking bedrooms.)

 

[OBS]

Hi new member here! I'm taking the silver star to NYP from WPB the end of the month. bought a roomette and it's car 9211 Do you think it's the old V1? Would like to have the room with the toilet!!! Have been talking Amtrak for years to NYC. Had some pretty bad experiences in coach next to Strangers!!
My last trip was 12/2021 and the social distancing vacant seat next to me. The train is 70% full now. Hopefully on trip back in August wont be that crowded. Or i'll have to get the roomette again.

Traveling in August I would expect a fairly full train.

 

[Bonser]

Here is the thread dealing with the initial start up, testing and ultimately, the delivery of the baggage cars:



There is still an outstanding dining car (for the next few weeks or so) so this we can keep an eye on this thread for information and usage:



Only 1 bag/dorm has emerged from the factory, meaning there are 9 more outstanding so, this thread will hopefully have some action in the future:





As such, it is time to talk about the last car in this order. The sleeping car. First things first, though:

h34r:

Where would add additional sleepers as they trickle out in tiny batches? Would you use them to supplement the existing trains or remove the Viewliner Is for overhaul as they emerge? Perhaps you would wait until you had 5 on hand before you'd remove View Is for overhauls/mods?

Let's speculate!

Sorry if this has been already covered but is there space on the Viewliner's sleepers to store luggage similiar to the luggage racks on the Superliners? I'm not checking the luggage.