What should Amtrak change?

[Harmon Shay]

Yes, please bring back timetables or at least make the full timetable available online. Has one tried to make an itinerary of, let's say, Milwaukee to Santa Barbara and spend some layover time sightseeing in Hollywood on the way using the current system, which is a variation of hunt and peck?

I was curious about the new, changed Empire Service schedule and looked it up on the Amtrak Web site. I can't see how any non-railfan or non-computer person could get through what I had to get through to get the hard-to-understand, and I don't think entirely accurate, mess I got. By the way, as of yesterday, the RPA Empire Service timetable hadn't been updated yet.

 

[Sunrobber]

Do y'all think there is a chance Amtrak might ever upgrade all remaining routes still using flex dining, up to traditional dining? I wish they'd do that one day, but I wonder if that hasn't happened due to Amtrak only having so much funding. I mean it is nice that with the new temporary Floridan route, that the Capitol Limited part at least for now will have traditional dining once again. Wish I could see more upgrades to traditional dining, on other routes still using flex.

I have avoided taking the City of New Orleans fo exactly that reason! I fly to Chicago and then take the Empire Builder. I'm NOT going to pay for a bedroom on a train that serves Flex meals. I ‘ll fly every time before doing that. Hell, we don't even get traditional dining going from New Orleans to Washington DC. Flying every time.

Trains are for their experiences, including dining. I'm not going by train long distance ANYWHERE WITHOUT TRADITIONAL DINING!

Are you listening, Amtrak?

 

[Cal]

Do y'all think there is a chance Amtrak might ever upgrade all remaining routes still using flex dining, up to traditional dining? I wish they'd do that one day, but I wonder if that hasn't happened due to Amtrak only having so much funding. I mean it is nice that with the new temporary Floridan route, that the Capitol Limited part at least for now will have traditional dining once again. Wish I could see more upgrades to traditional dining, on other routes still using flex.

I think they will, but I am an optimist.

 

[danasgoodstuff]

I think they will, but I am an optimist.

Haven't they said they will? Or was that the Rail Passengers?

 

[dogbert617]

Haven't they said they will? Or was that the Rail Passengers?

Good question. I hope Amtrak is serious that one day, they want to bring traditional dining back to all trains that are still flex dining.

 

[MARC Rider]

Trains are for their experiences, including dining. I'm not going by train long distance ANYWHERE WITHOUT TRADITIONAL DINING!

If Paul Thereoux had that attitude back in 1973 when he rode the Orient Express (Paris to Istanbul, NO food service), he would never have written the Great Railway Bazaar and would probably not become the well-known writer he is today.

 

[Cal]

Haven't they said they will? Or was that the Rail Passengers?

No idea. But they brought it back to the Silvers (and now the Floridian) willingly. And have made some plating improvements on the SSL, which gives me hope.

 

[BlackDiamond]

If Paul Thereoux had that attitude back in 1973 when he rode the Orient Express (Paris to Istanbul, NO food service), he would never have written the Great Railway Bazaar and would probably not become the well-known writer he is today.

Even today it is not uncommon for there to be no food service to speak of on many European overnight trains. At best you might get a cup of coffee and a roll from the SCA. Of course for Europeans (outside of the UK and Ireland) that is what they call a full breakfast I don't know how they survive until lunchtime.

 

[toddinde]

If Paul Thereoux had that attitude back in 1973 when he rode the Orient Express (Paris to Istanbul, NO food service), he would never have written the Great Railway Bazaar and would probably not become the well-known writer he is today.

I agree. My funnest trips have been jumping on trains in Europe with my back pack, a bottle of beer or wine, a French bread, some cheese and cold cuts. Best train meal ever.