Amtrak Trains Discussion Tue, 24 Sep 2019 11:14:55 +0000 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 11:14:55 +0000 Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/ Tue, 24 Sep 2019 11:12:36 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/more-diners-cut-effective-october-1.75614/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/more-diners-cut-effective-october-1.75614/ invalid@example.com (SanDiegan) SanDiegan
“Rail Passengers Association was disappointed to learn this week that Amtrak plans to extend its Contemporary Dining menu and dining service on to all of the long-distance trains east of the Mississippi.

The move takes effect October 1 -- the beginning of Fiscal 2020 -- as part of a package of changes rolling out on trains in the eastern half of the country. Western trains are not affected by this move.”

Ride them while you can ...]]> 756 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 10:19:13 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/senate-thud-committe-transportation-2020-appropriation-draft.76141/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/senate-thud-committe-transportation-2020-appropriation-draft.76141/ invalid@example.com (jis) jis
https://www.constructiondive.com/ne...ttee-advances-87b-transportation-bill/563261/]]> 26 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 09:55:46 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/thomas-cook-collapses-leaving-thousands-of-travelers-stranded.76167/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/thomas-cook-collapses-leaving-thousands-of-travelers-stranded.76167/ invalid@example.com (Rover) Rover https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/22/business/thomas-cook-collapse/index.html

Capping a painful year, 178-year-old British tour operator Thomas Cook collapsed Sunday night, stranding hundreds of thousands of travelers.

The company said in a statement that its board "concluded that it had no choice but to take steps to enter into compulsory liquidation with immediate effect."

"An application was made to the High Court for a compulsory liquidation of the Company before...

Thomas Cook collapses, leaving thousands of travelers stranded]]> 10 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 09:02:21 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/amtrak-launching-nonstop-nyc-dc-acela.75710/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/amtrak-launching-nonstop-nyc-dc-acela.75710/ invalid@example.com (frequentflyer) frequentflyer
https://www.businessinsider.com/amtrak-new-acela-express-nonstop-new-york-to-washington-dc-2019-7]]> 95 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 08:57:23 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/brightline-ridership-number-crunching-and-analysis.73720/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/brightline-ridership-number-crunching-and-analysis.73720/ invalid@example.com (Anderson) Anderson not overwhelm the main thread. Some notes to start:

Each Brightline train, at present, contains the followjng
Car 1: 48 Select seats, 1 wheelchair slot
Car 2: 32 Smart seats, 32 SmartPlus seats, 2 wheelchair slots
Car 3: 64 Smart seats, 2 wheelchair slots
Car 4: 56 Smart seats, 2 wheelchair slots

Totals:
-152 Smart seats
-32 SmartPlus seats
-48...

Brightline Ridership Number-Crunching and Analysis]]> 63 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 08:40:17 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/train-vs-plane-the-new-york-times-steps-in.76165/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/train-vs-plane-the-new-york-times-steps-in.76165/ invalid@example.com (MARC Rider) MARC Rider Train vs. Plane: And the Winner Is ... Well, It Depends...

Train vs. Plane -- The New York Times steps in]]> 25 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 06:20:17 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/theyre-holding-my-train.76168/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/theyre-holding-my-train.76168/ invalid@example.com (MARC Rider) MARC Rider
They're holding my train]]> 4 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 04:57:52 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/lsl-checked-baggage-to-and-from-boston.76111/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/lsl-checked-baggage-to-and-from-boston.76111/ invalid@example.com (AudenHoggart) AudenHoggart
If not, how is baggage handled for roomette passengers? It's obviously unrealistic to keep very much in the roomette itself, especially if it's used by two passengers.

Thanks!]]> 3 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 02:43:28 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/am-i-missing-anything-by-leaving-from-sacramento-instead-of-emeryville-on-cz.76157/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/am-i-missing-anything-by-leaving-from-sacramento-instead-of-emeryville-on-cz.76157/ invalid@example.com (Marcus) Marcus
Am I missing anything by leaving from Sacramento instead of Emeryville on CZ?]]> 8 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 02:38:33 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/id-love-to-take-coach-on-an-amtrak-train-but.76161/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/id-love-to-take-coach-on-an-amtrak-train-but.76161/ invalid@example.com (Kbyrdleroydogg) Kbyrdleroydogg Are there places I can go around the train rather than be stuck in a seat for 18hrs but only one night?
How do you sleep? Has anyone slept comfortably in Coach?
Do people talk into the night?]]> 17 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 02:28:56 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/how-to-keep-my-items-safe.75877/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/how-to-keep-my-items-safe.75877/ invalid@example.com (Sammie) Sammie 25 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 02:05:17 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/eureka-california-to-vancouver-washington-a-roundabout-journey.75769/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/eureka-california-to-vancouver-washington-a-roundabout-journey.75769/ invalid@example.com (Matthew H Fish) Matthew H Fish
This Monday, I took an Amtrak trip from Eureka, California to Vancouver, Washington. This was a trip for practical purposes, although of course, I did get to see some great scenery! As some of you might know, but most of you don't, Eureka, California is a small town on the North California coast, and accessing it by any type of transit is difficult.

To go north from Eureka, I first had to go south. About 300 miles south, to Martinez, California (East Bay), and then get the...

Eureka, California to Vancouver, Washington: a roundabout journey]]> 11 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 00:34:30 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/new-cardinal-diner.76126/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/new-cardinal-diner.76126/ invalid@example.com (City of Miami) City of Miami
We have exciting news to share about your upcoming trip Train 50 from Chicago, Illinois.

Staring October 1, we will be debuting a new dining experience aboard your train—made exclusively available for Sleeping Car customers. Here is what you can expect when you are onboard:

• A new dining menu with hot, ready-to-serve choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner
• A wide selection of wine, beer and spirits (the first one is on...

New Cardinal Diner]]> 55 Tue, 24 Sep 2019 00:22:19 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/what-would-you-add.63749/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/what-would-you-add.63749/ invalid@example.com (StriderGDM) StriderGDM
Let's say you could ADD to Amtrak, what would you add?

Let's be reasonable. We're not going to see $10B a year added.

Myself:

Start process for replacement of the single-level fleet (already proposed). But make sure to order even more cars to handle increased traffic over coming decades (minimum 500 cars to replace Amfleet I fleet, more likely 600).

Add some form of Sunset East. The train itself doesn't necessarily do well, but one has to consider the power of the...

What would you add?]]> 496 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 23:52:15 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/trip-planning-chi-lax-chi.75135/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/trip-planning-chi-lax-chi.75135/ invalid@example.com (Rail Freak) Rail Freak
I...

Trip Planning (CHI-LAX-CHI)]]> 11 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 23:47:13 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/seating-protocol.74565/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/seating-protocol.74565/ invalid@example.com (Tirnipgreen) Tirnipgreen
Seating Protocol]]> 116 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 23:28:41 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/double-days-announced.76169/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/double-days-announced.76169/ invalid@example.com (FrensicPic) FrensicPic https://www.amtrak.com/DoubleDays?cmp=wsp-FallPromo2019-HPCardV1-AGR-Promo]]> 11 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 22:45:07 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/non-member-question-on-share-agr-points.76173/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/non-member-question-on-share-agr-points.76173/ invalid@example.com (MDRailfan) MDRailfan Mon, 23 Sep 2019 22:37:40 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/texas-central-railway.56483/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/texas-central-railway.56483/ invalid@example.com (The Davy Crockett) The Davy Crockett
The Texas Central Railway claims it could be a reality.

This proposal, and that is really all it is at the moment, does seem almost as 'pie-in-the-sky' as Xpress West to me, but since there has been very little talk of it here at AU, other than this unclearly named thread, I thought I'd give...

Texas Central Railway]]> 185 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 22:29:39 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/we-have-booked-a-bedroom-but-due-to-floods-now-a-bus.76158/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/we-have-booked-a-bedroom-but-due-to-floods-now-a-bus.76158/ invalid@example.com (Emma) Emma
Obviously we understand these things happen. However, the only reason why we were getting the Amtrak was to experience it (we are visiting from the UK).

Could anyone advise:

If Amtrak moves you to a bus can you cancel (it would be cheaper and quicker for us to get the Greyhound if we have to get a bus anyway).

If we can't cancel...

We have booked a bedroom but due to floods now a bus..]]> 12 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 22:21:28 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/how-are-amtrak-train-cars-in-winter.76116/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/how-are-amtrak-train-cars-in-winter.76116/ invalid@example.com (Kbyrdleroydogg) Kbyrdleroydogg 27 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 21:45:15 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/maple-leaf-business-class-always-sold-out.76154/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/maple-leaf-business-class-always-sold-out.76154/ invalid@example.com (Abe26) Abe26
I'm checking availability for business class on the maple leaf from Buffalo to NY and I see it's always sold out, unless it's far out in advance. I see all other trains going from Buffalo to NY have availability, but not the maple leaf.

I also don't understand why they have 3 trains early morning, and then one train at 1pm. Shouldn't it more spread out?]]> 19 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 20:18:14 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/brightline-virgin-trains-fec-update.48373/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/brightline-virgin-trains-fec-update.48373/ invalid@example.com (Anderson) Anderson
Not that I can...

Brightline/Virgin Trains (FEC) Update]]> 2577 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 18:41:17 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/track-a-train-no-longer-tracking-cascades-north-of-border.76163/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/track-a-train-no-longer-tracking-cascades-north-of-border.76163/ invalid@example.com (zephyr17) zephyr17
Until recently it used to actively track all the way into VAC. Anyone know why they stopped? Amtrak no longer...

Track a train no longer tracking Cascades north of border?]]> 2 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 18:34:20 +0000 https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/contemporary-dining-for-capitol-limited-and-lake-shore-limited.73491/ https://discuss.amtraktrains.com/threads/contemporary-dining-for-capitol-limited-and-lake-shore-limited.73491/ invalid@example.com (kendawgbyrd) kendawgbyrd
But the Dining Car and Cafe Cars are still available to patrons first come first served.

But the Dining Car in particular will have no at-table dining service?

Is this true?]]> 33