711 and 718: Operate with Refurbished Equipment

[roomette]

Is this to handle extra ridership? Is a single level more fun to ride on this route?

San Joaquin Trains 711 and 718: Operate with Refurbished Equipment Effective October 21, 2013To provide added capacity aboard the San Joaquin service, Trains 711 and 718 will operate with refurbished single level Comet cars, effective October 21, 2013. Comet cars offer a comfortable ride and more leg room than the bi-level California cars that will continue to operate on other San Joaquin trains. Passengers traveling on Trains 711 and 718 should be aware of the following:

Passengers with Limited MobilityThere are steps leading to the entrance of the Comet car on Trains 711 and 718. Passengers who need assistance should call Amtrak, or speak with an employee at the station or on board the train. Passengers who need assistance boarding the train should arrive 45 minutes prior to train departure.

Checked BaggagePassengers traveling aboard Amtrak trains are encouraged to check in their luggage when traveling to and from stations that offer checked baggage service.

Carry-on BaggagePassengers on Trains 711 and 718 who are traveling to or from stations that do not offer checked baggage are encouraged to travel with luggage that can be carried with ease. Passengers may carry up to two pieces of baggage onto the train, each bag not exceeding 28" x 22" x 14" or 50 lbs. Other restrictions apply.

Bicycle Loading Changes at Staffed StationsPassengers boarding Trains 711 and 718 must take their bicycles to the baggage car for an employee to load it onto the train. Walk-On Bicycle Service is not available on board Comet cars.

Bicycles Not Permitted at Unstaffed StationsPassengers boarding or detraining at unstaffed stations will not be permitted to load bicycles on Trains 711 and 718. Passengers with bicycles may make travel aboard other San Joaquin trains.

Thank you for traveling with Amtrak. We appreciate your patronage. Reservations and information is available on Amtrak.com, our free mobile apps and at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).

Join us on facebook.com/Amtrak, and follow us on twitter.com/Amtrak.

PSN 1013-01

 

[rickycourtney]

Yes... in a roundabout way... this is to expand capacity on the San Joaquin.

It's been extensively discussed here.

I did a trip report on the "Comet Car" trainset here.

The seating is great (reclining seats and lots of legroom), but the stairs are a pain.

 

[roomette]

Thanks!

How best to board one of those in Bakersfield? More popular than the other cars? Need to get at the front of any particulsr line?

 

[Nathanael]

In answer to your question:

Trains 711 and 718 will operate entirely with the Comet cars (and a Horizon cafe). Trains with other train numbers will operate with the bilevels. Look at the schedule for train numbers.