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  1. Karl1459

    Consequences of not obeying Amtrak employees

    An friend who is a recently retired conductor did recount a story where an OBS crewmember DID get put off. IIRC alcohol and belligerence were involved.
  2. Karl1459

    Train car in odd position

    While a bit OT, There is a photo series in John Labbe's "Railroads in the Woods" showing reversing a logging skidder by pulling the brake rigging, then sending one truck up a side track. Can be done. Should be done???
  3. Karl1459

    Metra to convert locomotives to battery power

    My guess is the way things will play out is as a stand-alone locomotive they will be worthless due to too little range and too much recharging time. As a acceleration booster and regenerative braking energy recovery unit paired with a diesel-electric unit on heavy trains they may have some value.
  4. Karl1459

    New Traditional Dining Menu

    Isn't the "field greens and goat cheese..." a salad? You might be able to get them to "dumb it down" for an appetizer salad.
  5. Karl1459

    Business Class on Coast Starlight eligible to eat in the Diner

    I traveled BC PDX-SAC in March. Dinner was great but there was only a 5:00 pm seating available by the time I made my reservation. I think they were also serving coach pax... but again first/come first/served with limited availability.
  6. Karl1459

    Baggage checking

    The big question is what level of baggage service is part of Amtrak's passenger service mandate that the taxpayers are funding? Of course that answer is at best murky due to the poor definition of Amtrak's mission by Congress. 1. Should full baggage service be provided at all stations for all...
  7. Karl1459

    Rising like, uh, Phoenix?

    IMHO, a long distance link that might be very busy would be a Bakersfield - Barstow - Parker - Wickenburg - Phoenix - Tuscon. The big advantage is serving the San Joaquin valley to Phoenix where airline competition is not as great. Connect with SWC for LA at Barstow, and/or a bus link Mojave -...
  8. Karl1459

    Amtrak Says It Is Finally Making A Profit, But More Bad News Is Coming

    Perhaps this survivor? http://www.pnwc-nrhs.org/6200.htm
  9. Karl1459

    What happens if one of the east bound EB trains is late or can't make it to SPK?

    "Portland Baby Builder"???? On the several round trips PDX-ESM in the last several years I have not noted any actively procreative actions!
  10. Karl1459

    What happens if one of the east bound EB trains is late or can't make it to SPK?

    I did not check the SEA section but between Christmas and New Year the PDX section was lounge/coach/coach-bag/sleeper. And both directions to ESM were ON TIME! Its pretty rare for the PDX section to have delays for track issues, usually if it is late it is due to being held for Coast Starlight...
  11. Karl1459

    Omaha, NE to Salt Lake City, UT (Cheapest Route?)

    Other considerations are the true beginning and ending points of the trip, and the access and cost to and from the relative train or bus station and the airport. Is parking needed? Cost? Is a rental car needed? available at the train/bus station? Higher or lower cost than airport? Personally I...
  12. Karl1459

    CZ passenger injured near Truckee CA, unknown circumstances

    Update from a Sacramento TV station... The person (victim) is awake and able to communicate, claims he would never have jumped though has little memory of the incident. Amazing recovery so far from the injuries, I hope he continues to improve...
  13. Karl1459

    Is Amtrak getting stricter with the carry on policy?

    The 50 lb rule should be a hard rule, I read a nstb report on an Amtrak derailment that occurred in Canada (Cant remember the train right know, think it was Detroit-Toronto), the conclusion was that many injuries were caused by flying luggage and a strong recommendation for the 50 lb limit was...
  14. Karl1459

    Amtrak Riverside Call Center to Close - Jan 2019

    I suspect that the NEED (as apposed to a nice to have) for a call center had dropped dramatically with online purchase of tickets, so where 10 years ago 2 centers made sense today only one does. In a perfect world where union and management could sing in harmony (rather than alternating...
  15. Karl1459

    Process of Turning a Train: What Does It Entail?

    Turning a train... 1. One big freaking turntable. 2. Uncouple the train, switch each car and locomotive and turn on a normal sized turntable, reassemble the consist, couple, and go a couple days later. 3. A balloon track. 4. A wye with long enough legs to turn the entire train. 5. A wye with...
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