Recent content by Inlander

Via has suffered extensive cutbacks over the years - the 1990 cuts must rate the worse. The system lost half its size and they rerouted the Canadian to the old CN route on the top part of the Rockies(still current route). They are both scenic but the bottom route I think is better. A private...

The line was reopened last December after an extensive post flood damage rebuild. It runs through a lot of wilderness and swamp etc. The speed is slow to moderate. November is when the polar bears migrate and they have a holding cell building in Churchill for the naughty ones. Train has a diner...

Hi guys, was wondering if sleeper pax on 91/92 get fed or do you have to buy at the cafe?

LA- Portland- Chicago-Emeryville- Bakersfield-LA-SanAntonio-Chicago-NewOrleans-LA.

This is just the start. It's Death by Stealth for most of the LD trains. Any student of Rail history knows how some of the private companies chipped away to get out of the pax business. Current management are following an earily familiar tactic. Downgrade on board service, first the Diner then...

Yes I would say that will be where Via goes.

Speaking from experience down here in Australia, if you start experimenting with a premium product you will transition the whole train eventually into a land cruise. What happens is that the premium fares will be marketed typically from an end to end or major on route point to end . E.g The Cz...

Thats it in a nutshell. What is needed is a true national integrated transport approach. Run major long distance rail spines connected to each other by regional rail and buses. Sweeten the deal with the big class ones by offering funding for selected rail capacity upgrades i.e signalling, bi...

I've wondered that myself.Also noted that they approach some Mainline stations quite fast and look like they do a full application quite late like a commuter train would

Management needs to address  that call centre urgently it's costing the company business. I have had 5 separate dealings with it this year before I could get my booking finalised. I was travelling on a USA rail pass for multiple journies. Somehow they sold me two passes, then had to refund one...

One Andersen interview I Saw he was qouting figures like less than 6% of pax travel from start to end point on long distance services. I can't vouch to the accuracy but he seems to be gradually making a business case for rationalisation. Hi liner cars that need replacing in the2020's, patronage...

Personally if i had the time i would go the Cardinal and pay the extra- you get a longer more scenic trip- which suits train fans like me perfectly.

Seems to me a familiar story repeated over the years here in Australia and in the USA pre Amtrak. They don't want to run the long distance services so what does management do? Step 1 downgrade Onboard services. Step 2 outsource what you can.Step 3 play around with frequencies and timetables...

This is the one they gave :" If you prefer, you may call our International Sales Department at215-856-7924 or 212-630-6400 during regular business hours(Monday-Friday) or you can contact our International Sales Departmentat [email protected] [4]. "

There are a few of us train fans down here and it takes a lot for us to stop trying but I was prewarned about the issues with the call centre. The real damage will be done to the goodwill of the average non train fan traveller.