For Swadian
1 - Yes, but that is not a new route. It is a minor (and I mean by track mileage and distance, not by benefits gained) reroute to an existing train. I like the idea though
2 - Wrong. Routine sellouts common on the entire train route except between Grand Junction and Reno at most times of the year. If demand were not blocked out, you'd see a LOT more short haul traffic on the CZ.
3 - Daily Cardinal would be almost as hard if not as hard as daily SL. UP is currently much more active in enhancing the RoW and capacity, while BB is taking a slower approach (lengthening a few sidings rather than making full two main track, which is understandable due to terrain, but still, you get my point. Pretty soon, there will not be many barriers left to a daily SL except the actual headquarters of UP, which I bet you, if challenged in court in a few years, would rule with Amtrak. With traffic soon to be increasing all over the midwest and east while declining in the west due to the Panama Canal expansion, there will be even fewer trains taking up space on the Sunset line and the BB will get busier. If Virginia can try to expedite the process of BB improvements and get the Card to daily service before the Panamax expansion, then the chances are better for that train. Reliability will always be an issue though, although once some sidings are lengthened, it will be LESS severe.
4 - Here is the dictionary.com definition of REPLACE:
to assume the former role, position, or function of;substitute for
I think when R30A said that the new lounges would replace the PPCs, that does not necessitate a response telling him to add them to the CS as well.