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    When did VIA Rail take over?

    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...
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    Winnipeg-Chrchill

    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...
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    Train 91/92 Silver Star catering

    Hi guys, was wondering if sleeper pax on 91/92 get fed or do you have to buy at the cafe?
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    Can you plan an itinerary to ride every western long distance train in at least one direction

    LA- Portland- Chicago-Emeryville- Bakersfield-LA-SanAntonio-Chicago-NewOrleans-LA.
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    Sunset losing Diner?

    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...
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    Experiential service class on long distance routes

    Yes I would say that will be where Via goes.
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    Experiential service class on long distance routes

    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...
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    Amtrak FY 2020 Budget

    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...
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    Amtrak Train handling

    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
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    Amtrak moving forward to stop all, most LDT

    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...
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    Amtrak Greenwashing

    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...
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    Cardinal vs. Capitol Limited DC to Chicago

    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.
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    Amtrak Greenwashing

    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...
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    Choosing Roomettes on SWC

    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]. "
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    Choosing Roomettes on SWC

    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.
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    Texas Eagle Route

    Does the current "Eagle" follow the old Missouri Pacific route at all? 
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    Choosing Roomettes on SWC

    Yep in the last two weeks I have dealt with 4 different passenger agents via phone from Australia just to make some bookings. One didn't know how to process a payment ,another one transferred me to Amtrak vacations( who informed me they were a separate company and couldn't process my payment and...
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    Longer & Longer consists

    Yes when one looks at the shrinking Via long distance network the trend certainly appears downhill! Similar situation happened here in Australia. Our two best known long distance trains(Indian Pacific and the Ghan) are now all first class services owned by a private equity group. They use Budd...
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    Longer & Longer consists

    Yes this is sadly so true lengthy delays are now the normal mode of operation. The timetable even has a disclaimer warning about the delays! 
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