They didn't retire a Heritage diner when 8400 started running. 8400 was basically the key that allowed them to stop using Diner Lite cars on the LSL and bring back the dining cars to the LSL. Without 8400 in the mix, Amtrak barely had enough single dining cars to go around. Yes, they rolled the dice on the LSL and actually restored full diners before 8400 made it out of the shop, but the gamble worked and they didn't have any occasions that I know of where they had to downgrade service because they didn't have enough diners to go around due to OOS (Out Of Service) cars. But if they had to many OOS, then one train would have gone without a dining car prior to 8400 being restored to service.
When I rode the Card after the STL Gathering, the Bedroom windows were on the right side of the train. So we had to stand in the hall to see the gorge.
I don't understand why, because eastbound (when your guaranteed to see it in the daylight), the Gorge is on the right side of the train. I had rooms eastbound on both sides, and the right side is MUCH more scenic.
Al: Ya'll will enjoy it! Its always slow (But who's in a Hurry!)but once you get out of Indianawhere the Tracks are Slow and Rough, (it will be Dark till W.VA while you are along the Ohio River) the Scenery on the Right Side of the Train is by Far the Best all the way to Virginia! When ya'll have Breakfast Don't order the "French Toast Sticks" (cousin to Fish Sticks), stick to the Eggs! The Lunch Food is pretty good too, Sandwiches and the Salad are made by the Attendant and served Fresh! Dinner is Convection Oven Heated but it's OK! Try not to get seated @ one of the Tables Without Windows! They suck! The "Lounge" (combo Diner/Lounge called a Diner Lite) does also, your Best Views will be from your Room!
New River Gorge is quite a ways east of Huntington. tomfuller's post has it correctly located, near Hinton.
I may be wrong about "The New River Gorge" area, but I always thought of it as the area before and after the New River (Gorge) Bridge. The bridge and that area of the Gorge is on the right side of the train headed eastbound. Thus, the odd roomettes and bedrooms. The even roomettes in that area give a great view of the hillside about 10 feet away! But you do see the River before and after that area, when the tracks cross bridges over the river. But IMHO, the best views are on the right side in the Gorge!
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h34r: #50 when it was in CVS station. Sure enough, the doors of the viewliner were to the fore which indicated to me that the odd numbered roomettes are on the other side, on the right. My reservation on this train in August has an even numbered roomette, which would make viewing of the NRG less rewarding.
