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I'll agree with that. I've done top and lower superliner roomette. Ok, so top you get a slightly better view, but you do get a better quality ride in the lower level. If you want the best view, then its off to the observation coach in any case.

Thanks. Will have to plan a trip over there to grab a 'Viewliner 1' in before they go!

Are the 'Viewliner 2's rebuilds or brand new stock?

I've had 'mixed' results on Amfleet stock. Some ride extremely well and are impressive at 110mph+. Others have been real old vibrators, hunting at will, luggage racks resonating at full volume etc. As for the Acela, the few I've been on I found on the bumpy side too. Maybe its a case of...

Hmmmmm! Not sure whether that was a great idea. Having to number 2 in front of your partner is bad enough. Even if you have sole occupancy I'm hoping its well ventilated. What if the conductor has to pop his head in a few moments after? :ohboy: But the thought of badly aimed number 1's ending...

Bit of a dubious question. Is the toilet in the Viewliner roomette enclosed in a partion? From the diagrams I've seen it doesnt look like it!

I can only agree with the sentiments here. He needs to make sure he has a plan b, because even if he makes it onto the footplate, he may decide that actually working as a train driver isnt as much fun as some seem to think it is. I'd always had a healthy interest in railways and wanted to be a...

@ Lincoln18 As a fellow Brit I can only echo what others have said about safety onboard Amtrak trains. I've done quite a few journeys, mainly on the 'regional' and Acela services, but have also done the 'Lake Shore' 'Zephyr' and 'Empire Builder'. We all know some of us Limeys and Europeans have...

I've traveled on the Lake Shore and indeed this line simply isnt set out for any kind of high speed running at all. Most of the running is done at 40-50mph and even this can produce a few bumps and hunting. Have timings on this route always been slow? Was there ever an alternative route from...

I'd say on what I saw the Zephyr has the edge when it comes to the scenery. The climb out of Denver, the ascent up the Moffat Tunnel which concluded with a collective 'wow' as the terrain changed from a rocky environment into a fully blown snow covered ski resort will remain with me forever...

Having sampled the Zephyr from Chi-SLC around two years ago, it was now time to take a relaxing trip on the Empire Builder for the full duration to Seattle. The trip started with a tiredness inducing 8h experience across the Atlantic to DC and then a few days sightseeing in glorious 80f...

Unfortunately this seems to be the case in the UK too. Well done though, for using the terminology "top 1%" rather than simply "the rich". Because these days, how do you define who is rich and who isnt? Often those who are out protesting about 'the rich' are usually not too badly off themselves!

Arguably the best train ever produced in the World. Still going strong since 1975 and still better than most things things that are replacing it. Not many 125mph express trains that you can still pull down the door window for some wind in the hair either! And not many express trains that can run...

Virgin are pretty much going to be out of the railway altogether now. Mixed feelings in general. Their onboard services and image have always been pretty good. They've managed to put together a pretty impressive timetable on what is the busiest intercity line in Britain. The staff are generally...

Virgin lost Cross Country a few years ago! Now Arriva runs this service. Unfortunately whilst they've done a good job on WCML, XC was something of a disaster under Virgin. Replacing old 7-8 coach trains with new 4 or 5 coach trains. No point in having a shiny new train if you spend half of your...

I thought the Acela was designed with a theoretical maximum of 162mph if given the infrastructure? Either way, whether it only saves a few mins, it should be a damn good thrash charging down the Northerly parts of the NEC at 160mph!! I've always been a fan of the Acela, and its currently the...

Shaving a few minutes off here and there is all well and good until you end up hitting a major artery like NYP, or being stuck behind a commuter train. All that extra energy expended counts for nothing!

How much time will what will surely be a brief spurt to 165mph actually save?

Indeed. A friend has actually emigrated to china to run his business and he tells me the absolute majority of the country is unbelievably poor and still carries the strict philosophy of the repressive days. Thus far, the wealth and this new 'middle class' are in an extreme minority. I've always...

Has anyone on here sampled the French rail system recently? Despite often seen as the best in the World, I can assure you outside of the impressive network of dedicated high speed rail, the rest of the network has been falling into decline with services downgraded and in some cases taken away...