Viewliner II Sleeper on the Cardinal

[jis]

According to a couple of reports on FB Cardinal now has a full Viewliner II Sleeper in addition to the Viewliner II Bag-Dorm.

This also incidentally makes the Cardinal the only LD train capable of running at 125mph on the NEC! It is shown running at 123mph on a Speed App in one of the posts.

 

[Amtrak709]

According to a couple of reports on FB Cardinal now has a full Viewliner II Sleeper in addition to the Viewliner II Bag-Dorm.

This also incidentally makes the Cardinal the only LD train capable of running at 125mph on the NEC! It is shown running at 123mph on a Speed App in one of the posts.

jis: Explain to me what makes the Cardinal OK to run at the 125mph. Is it axle count, equipment, consist? Thanks!

 

[AmtrakBlue]

jis: Explain to me what makes the Cardinal OK to run at the 125mph. Is it axle count, equipment, consist? Thanks!

Equipment. The old VLs are limited to 110, I think.

 

[jis]

jis: Explain to me what makes the Cardinal OK to run at the 125mph. Is it axle count, equipment, consist? Thanks!

@AmtrakBlue is correct. The Viewliner I Sleeper restricted it to 110mph. Viewliner IIs are 125mph capable.

 

[daybeers]

Wow, this is awesome news! Was it just one trip or has it had a VII consistently?

 

[jis]

Wow, this is awesome news! Was it just one trip or has it had a VII consistently?

It is a change that took place for 51 effective today (5/25/22) and 50 a few days back.

 

[Sauve850]

It is a change that took place for 51 effective today (5/25/22) and 50 a few days back.

Thanks for the information. I had a September trip from Chicago in a roomette. I just upgraded to a bedroom. Great pricing too.

 

[Cal]

So does it have two sleepers, or was the VI replaced by a VIi

 

[bluewizard]

Thanks for the information. I had a September trip from Chicago in a roomette. I just upgraded to a bedroom. Great pricing too.

Can you look at bedroom upgrade pricing from the website or do you have to call them? I am taking my first Amtrak trip in August and it’s on cardinal. I have the roomette room already.

 

[jis]

So does it have two sleepers, or was the VI replaced by a VIi

Only one Sleeper. V1 replaced by V2.

 

[Steve4031]

Appreciate the information. I might book that.

 

[Sauve850]

Can you look at bedroom upgrade pricing from the website or do you have to call them? I am taking my first Amtrak trip in August and it’s on cardinal. I have the roomette room already.

I could see the current roomette price and bedroom price on the website but I had to call to get the exact pricing.

 

[IndyLions]

Woo hoo! Some good news for my hometown train! Now if they were just to add a VLII diner…

 

[saxpower]

I am riding the Cardinal in July. I took the train from Wilmington, DE go NYC yesterday (5/25). Coincidentally, the westbound Cardinal (51) came in as I was on my train waiting to depart, and can confirm it had a Viewliner II. Ironically, the eastbound Cardinal (50) was supposed to come in around the time my return did train did, but the Cardinal ran late so I didn't get a chance to see it.

There is a YouTube channel called "Jackson's Drones" which posts drone footage of trains I the New River, W. Va area, This includes regular videos of the Cardinal, so those interested can use the channel to see if the switch to V II's is permanent. A video posted today (it does not say the date filmed) has a 51 with a V II and a 50 with a V I.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Today’s (5/27/22) Cardinal leaving Wilmington, DE
VLII sleeper followed by bag-dorm

 

[joelkfla]

Here's Jackson's Drones video posted 6/4 showing Cardinal #50 with 2 coaches, some sort of cafe/lounge, VLII sleeper & VLII bag-dorm. The video's queued up to the view of the full train; rewind for arrival view.

 

[jis]

some sort of cafe/lounge,

That is an Amfleet II Lounge or Dinette depending on which vintage of terminology one uses

 

[Dakota 400]

What an under the train view! I wonder if any laws were broken by doing what was done.

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

What an under the train view! I wonder if any laws were broken by doing what was done.

Simple trespassing. However I am sure it’s a tiny GoPro on a flat heavy base, so not worthy for any LEO to take up any time to enforce. Would not recommend it, especially on a main line. Train can sneak up on you fast from any track direction.

 

[Dakota 400]

Simple trespassing. However I am sure it’s a tiny GoPro on a flat heavy base, so not worthy for any LEO to take up any time to enforce. Would not recommend it, especially on a main line. Train can sneak up on you fast from any track direction.

Trespassing is what I thought it might be.

 

[Kbyrdleroydogg]

What are the chances that I will get a Viewliner II configuration when I'm on the Cardinal going from NYC to CHI (6:45 am departure)?
I'm in the Amtrak Viewliner-accessible bedroom.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

What are the chances that I will get a Viewliner II configuration when I'm on the Cardinal going from NYC to CHI (6:45 am departure)?
I'm in the Amtrak Viewliner-accessible bedroom.

Unless the current sleeper is bad-ordered (broken), you chances are 100%. The Cardinal only has one revenue sleeper. And the bag-dorm is a VLII.

 

[bratkinson]

Unless the current sleeper is bad-ordered (broken), you chances are 100%. The Cardinal only has one revenue sleeper. And the bag-dorm is a VLII.

To clarify AmtrakBlue's comment...the VL2 bag dorm -is- a revenue car. I'm in roomette #5 on #51 aboard the bag-dorm-sleeper as I write this. We were 1hr late at Rensallaer but had a freight broken down ahead. We took a 2 hr hit before we got underway.

 

[SP1]

Recently booked a trip for next week from CHI - NYC on Cardinal 50 car 5009, a roomette. Does anyone know if this is a viewliner 1 or viewliner 2?

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Recently booked a trip for next week from CHI - NYC on Cardinal 50 car 5009, a roomette. Does anyone know if this is a viewliner 1 or viewliner 2?

I think that’s the bag-dorm (crew car). It’s a VLII