Generally the folks in the private cars are allowed to walk thru into the Amtrak part of the train to utilize the diner and/or purchase snack items in the forward portion of the train (if they want to). There are exceptions to this of course, where high level equipment (Superliners) are butted up against lower level equipment (which all but one currently operating PV's are). Thus, there is no access on the Lake Shore/Crescent/Silver Trains while they are moving, but there is on the Capitol and most of the other Superliner equipped cars. It is possible to talk to the conductor and get permission to walk from the PV's to the diner during one regular station stop, and after dinner, walk back at another station stop. This has a lot to do with lengths of platforms, and Amtrak does not like to make double stops for PV's, although they do make a lot of double spots for their regular trains.
At this time the only Amtrak-certified high level PV is a former Santa Fe El Capitan car, which Amtrak used for many years before selling it to a private owner. The requirements for operation by a private owner are much more stringent than form Amtrak itself. While all of the high level cars are now privately owned, only the one has been upgraded to the point where it can operate on Amtrak. A good example is dump toilets, when Amtrak had them, they could dump to the ground, but when private owners got them, they had to be upgraded to full retention.
It is not that difficult to get a trip set up on a private car, for instance there are at least two Chicago to Washington trips in April that berths are probably still available. It is usually a little more expensive than an Amtrak sleeper, due to the extra amenities involved in such PV trips. To ride on an AAPRCO convention trip, one only need be an associate member of the organization and pay for the convention registration, which is a minor cost compared to the actual cost of the trip.
On the other hand, it is very difficult to actually own and operate a PV on Amtrak. The number of places that a car can add or subtract to a train is vastly limited over what it used to be. The per-mile charge that Amtrak charges the car owner does not include switching fees that freight railroads charge to get the cars to and from Amtrak terminals. Likewise, Amtrak can charge overnight parking fees at terminals, and much of this is fairly arbitrary, it can easily be more or less than what they first told you when you planned the trip. For the last several years, there has been annual surcharges that Amtrak applied in an attempt to balance its budget.
The issue of placement on the train has also been a bone of contention. When Amtrak was courting freight service, roadrailers and mailhandling cars were often placed on the back of passenger trains, usually the spot where the PV's formerly would operate. As a result, for a while the PV's were kicked off entirely, or placed at mid-train or near-Engine positions. While it is not necessarily a bad experience to be at least two car lengths back from the locomotive, it is an ear-shattering experience to try to ride next to an operating locomotive. Anyone who has recently ridden the CNO/Eagle since the put the sleeper back in the front of the train can tell you it is difficult to enjoy the ride with the many road crossings and the constant horn activity.
Finally, Amtrak will sometimes pull the stunt of telling you that your extra car triggers the cost of an extra locomotive and/or conductor. This despite the fact that many trains no longer carry baggage cars, and the length of the train is not a factor. Sometimes this can happen after the train has already been made up, and you find it out at the last minute, which means the trip you thought you were at least going to break even on has now sunk into the red.
Anyway, riding a PV is a great experience, and one that probably will become less and less possible in the future. So, I highly recommend if you ever thunk about doing it, do it soon!
When a private rail car is being pulled by Amtrak, can the folks in the private car gain access to the Amtrak train? Or is it just hooked up with the folks stuck in their car? Also, how much does Amtrak charge to pull a private rail car? And what does one cost? Anybody here on the forum have one? Ridden in one? Thanks!
Al