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

[AmtrakBlue]

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?

No, but there's a storage area above the door (goes over the hallway) where you can put bags. I've not used it, but others have. The new roomettes have a space under the step (where the toilet used to be) where a small rollerbag will fit. I did use that space.

 

[joelkfla]

No, but there's a storage area above the door (goes over the hallway) where you can put bags.

Which is suitable for a carry-on bag or squishy backpack. I don't think you can get a full-sized pullman suitcase up there.

 

[amtrakpass]

If it is the offseason attendants will often let you store luggage in an unsold room but during the busy times of the year on a viewliner you have fit it all in your room or check the baggage. If you are solo, it might be a possiblity to store something on the top bunk.

 

[bonzoesc]

Which is suitable for a carry-on bag or squishy backpack. I don't think you can get a full-sized pullman suitcase up there.

I was able to fit an airline-allowed roll aboard, a big backpack (Wandrd Prvke), and another small cooler bag up there on both a VL1 and VL2; kind of tricky topologically with the top bunk in play, but it worked well. Wouldn’t’ve been able to wedge a checked-bag-only size roller up there though.

 

[IndyLions]

I was able to fit an airline-allowed roll aboard, a big backpack (Wandrd Prvke), and another small cooler bag up there on both a VL1 and VL2; kind of tricky topologically with the top bunk in play, but it worked well. Wouldn’t’ve been able to wedge a checked-bag-only size roller up there though.

I’ve taken a similar approach with much success.

There’s plenty of room up in the space above the hall, but go with multiple smaller bags instead of one giant one. Remember, you’ve got to lift it way up there.

And to repeat what others have said - if you snag one of the Viewliner II rooms, a regular airline carry-on bag up to the maximum size will fit perfectly underneath the step.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Viewliner II Roomette

 

[MARC Rider]

There’s plenty of room up in the space above the hall, but go with multiple smaller bags instead of one giant one. Remember, you’ve got to lift it way up there.

Also, the sleeping car attendant should help you get the bag up there. All you need to do is ask. It worked for us on a Silver Meteor trip.

 

[west point]

All the V-1 and V-2 sleepers need to stay on the present single level trains. No canabilization to west coast trains.

 

[joelkfla]

All the V-1 and V-2 sleepers need to stay on the present single level trains. No canabilization to west coast trains.

Is the transdorm stairway suitable for public use?

 

[jis]

All the V-1 and V-2 sleepers need to stay on the present single level trains. No canabilization to west coast trains.

Did someone propose to use Viewliners on western trains? Why? When mechanical maintenance catches up is there a shortage of Superliner Sleepers? Full deployment of Viewliners is certainly thwarted at present by a slew of Viewliners - V2 Baggage, V2 Diners and V1 Sleepers being in storage pending something or the other. Sometimes it is not easy to figure out why Amtrak management does what it does and they never wish to explain, perhaps because they are not sure either.

The only time that I am aware of when mixing Viewliner and Superliners has been proposed was in the Capitol Limited PIP which proposed transferring a few cars from the Pannsylvanian to the Capitol at Pittsburgh to create an additional New York to Chicago through service via Pittsburgh.

In short I doubt that there is any fear of Viewliners finding their way into Superliner trains beyond the Baggage cars.

 

[west point]

In short I doubt that there is any fear of Viewliners finding their way into Superliner trains beyond the Baggage cars.

I hope not although Capitol getting one V sleeper off the Pensylvanian possible but only "IF"

1. Number of single level sleeper trainsets. LSL - 3, Star - 4, Meteor - 4, Crescent - 4, Cardinal - 2 , Or -3 if it goes daily, Night owl- 2 = 19 or 20.
3. Normal assignments should be LSL - 12, Star - 16, Meteor - 16, Crescent - 12, Cardinal - 4 or 6, Nght Owl -2 = 62. Is latest operatable count 76?
4. Spares: Wilmington mtce -3, SSY - 2, NOL - 1, MIA - 2 == 70

6. Have 1 cut off sleeper from Star, Meteor, Crescent at WASH. Each provides one more available.
7. That would give 9 to be assigned. Capitol would take 3.
8. Otherwise 2 train sets could get 1 additional each.
9. Now if the Crescemt - Texacan begins operating that will be 5 train sets or 4 if there is a WASH cutoff.
10. Since NOL only needs one sleeper 2 or maybe 3 might end up on Texacan. For now obvious conclusion is cut off the present NOL sleepers at ATL but that will require a switcher. Maybe a track mobile if some switches were added.? TOO expensive.

 

[MARC Rider]

Also, the sleeping car attendant should help you get the bag up there. All you need to do is ask. It worked for us on a Silver Meteor trip.

As shown in the above image, there is a shelf next to the seat facing the sink and steps that is large enough to hold a decent size suitcase. I don't remember when I took a look at this roomette whether there was a strap and buckle on the wall, but I know there are in the V-1 roomettes, which makes it easy to secure the suitcase to keep it from falling over. If anything, it seems to me that the shelf on the V-2 roomette is wider than the one on the V-1 roomette. Luggage storage is still a bit of an issue if you have two people using the room.

 

[jis]

I hope not although Capitol getting one V sleeper off the Pensylvanian possible but only "IF"

1. Number of single level sleeper trainsets. LSL - 3, Star - 4, Meteor - 4, Crescent - 4, Cardinal - 2 , Or -3 if it goes daily, Night owl- 2 = 19 or 20.
3. Normal assignments should be LSL - 12, Star - 16, Meteor - 16, Crescent - 12, Cardinal - 4 or 6, Nght Owl -2 = 62. Is latest operatable count 76?
4. Spares: Wilmington mtce -3, SSY - 2, NOL - 1, MIA - 2 == 70

6. Have 1 cut off sleeper from Star, Meteor, Crescent at WASH. Each provides one more available.
7. That would give 9 to be assigned. Capitol would take 3.
8. Otherwise 2 train sets could get 1 additional each.
9. Now if the Crescemt - Texacan begins operating that will be 5 train sets or 4 if there is a WASH cutoff.
10. Since NOL only needs one sleeper 2 or maybe 3 might end up on Texacan. For now obvious conclusion is cut off the present NOL sleepers at ATL but that will require a switcher. Maybe a track mobile if some switches were added.? TOO expensive.

At full deployment there will be 60 in service since Amtrak tends to keep 20% for maintenance overhaul and protect.

But at present only around 40 are in service exclusive of maintenance and protect. Active fleet is around 60, so overhaul + protect numbers are a little higher than usual. The balance of 15 or so are in Mothballs. One hopes they will come out of their cocoons in the next three or four years.

Needless to say most of your optimistic numbers are fantasy at present, and probably for the rest of this year and even the next.

 

[Heading North]

I haven’t been in a Viewliner sleeper in years, but one trick with the luggage cubby over the hallway that always worked for me: lift the suitcase to the top bunk (which you can pull down a bit if needed), then just transfer it straight across to the cubby. It’s less awkward than trying to get something heavy up and over in one move.

 

[Kbyrdleroydogg]

I'm taking Viewliner trains from CHI-NYC (50 Cardinal) and NYC-CHI. This is the week of July 24th. What are the chances I will get on one of the Viewliner II trains?

 

[IndyLions]

Odds are pretty good. The Cardinal for the past few weeks has only been running with the newer sleepers and crew dorms.

 

[user 30927]

Took 92 Silver star from WPB to NYP in a Roomette. Had the old viewliner 1 car with the toilet! fine with me. Took some pics of the new V 2 sleeper car. Posting some pictures here (if im allowed? New to this site )

 

[Kbyrdleroydogg]

Took 92 Silver star from WPB to NYP in a Roomette. Had the old viewliner 1 car with the toilet! fine with me. Took some pics of the new V 2 sleeper car. Posting some pictures here (if im allowed? New to this site )

Thanks for the photos!

 

[Kbyrdleroydogg]

Thanks for the photos!

Can someone take a photo of the V2 bedrooms?

 

[user 30927]

Can someone take a photo of the V2 bedrooms?i'm returning end of july, I'll take some of the v2 bedroom

 

[joelkfla]

Can someone take a photo of the V2 bedrooms?

YouTube:

 

[NES28]

At full deployment there will be 60 in service since Amtrak tends to keep 20% for maintenance overhaul and protect.

But at present only around 40 are in service exclusive of maintenance and protect. Active fleet is around 60, so overhaul + protect numbers are a little higher than usual. The balance of 15 or so are in Mothballs. One hopes they will come out of their cocoons in the next three or four years.

The reason that the V2 sleepers were purchased was to be able to add cars (capacity) on the Eastern trains which are shorter than was historically the case. There was an expectation that supply/demand would lead to fares somewhat lower than the crazy high prices being charged but still resulting in an overall reduction in the operating loss incurred by operating the trains while improving the experience for riders. Having these expensive cars in mothballs is hugely disappointing.

 

[Kbyrdleroydogg]

YouTube:

Thanks!

 

[OBS]

Is the transdorm stairway suitable for public use?

Absolutely...

 

[jiml]

YouTube:

The "Grounded Life" couple do fairly objective reviews of train travel all over the world.