Recent content by akbrian

I'm going guess, and that's all it is, that trains passing through the scene are signalled down to a prepare to stop speed through the area.

Does anyone know the distance from the switch to the point of impact?

The BBC has a good sketch on this page; Odisha train accident: How did three trains collide in Odisha?

Ironicly, the last sleeper I bought on Amtrak was the final southbound trip of the Pacific Parlour Car on the Coast Starlight.

My short answer to the near term sleeper shortage would be to reduce long advance purchase prices on part of the inventory, and somehow up market the experience for another percentage of the inventory. I don't know exactly how, but at least provide value for the high price. Champagne? Upmarket...

In addition to rooms there were also less expensive simple berths that just provided a place to sleep flat and have a curtain.

It's also a great way permanently lose existing customers and scare away potential future customers. It is a good way to exit a business with fewer people caring about the loss. In my opinion, Amtrak's future existence requires building the breadth of it's customer base by providing a pleasant...

The nicest train ever that I have traveled on was the Tapatio From Mexico City to Guadalajara back in the NdM days, a very long time ago. Other than that, it was the Coast Starlight Pacific Parlour Car era, with the wine tastings. That was really nice, and sold the trip. I still have a PPC...

I don't think the smoking area would fly in this day and age politically, but I don't think it would be that hard to do solely from a cost and engineering standpoint. But then I can remember when the acceptable smoking area was a vestibule platform with the door upper open. Regarding the...

1) Reliable on time performance. If you can't count on it usually being reliable, most folks will choose and alternative that is. 2) Some arrangement for checked luggage to all destinations. The elderly folks that can put up with poor on time performance often have difficulty hauling luggage...

On The Cascades business class you get access to the first class lounge at the station, if there is one. I recently waited in, and then departed directly to train from the Metropolitan Lounge at Union Station in Portland, Oregon {PDX).

How is anything on the upper level of any of the cars ADA compliant? You'd have to climb the stairs to get there.

Why doesn't Amtrak just top off this PR nightmare by sending all those kids a lump of coal?

I took a look today, and I'm seeing Amtrak is showing the Coast Starlight is running through Redding again.

Some airlines allow you to pay the "change fee" for a refund of non-refundable tickets. On Alaska that's $125 for non "elite" class mileage plan travelers. Not too helpful if the flight cost is less than $125.