Amtrak seems adamant about striving to have one food service car for an entire LD train. That idea, at least on the eastern low-level equipped consists, seems unrealistic. Maybe they think people will be satisfied taking their food back to their seats but they will really kill the pleasure of train travel if they do this.
If Amtrak is really serious about going to a single food service car to service an entire train, nothing they have now will fit the bill. Using a bi-level like the Bombardier could work. Mezzanine levels at the ends for a waiting area and seating area at the coach end and tables at the sleeper end for "First Class" passengers including an accessible table. On the lower level is additional seating with a kitchen in the middle serving out of both sides to coach and sleeper passengers. And best of all . . . a dome lounge on the upper level where you can also take your meal, socialize and have a beverage or two.
Seems like a logical solution. Turning beautiful new Viewliner diners into buffet takeout cars is a horrible idea.
If Amtrak is really serious about going to a single food service car to service an entire train, nothing they have now will fit the bill. Using a bi-level like the Bombardier could work. Mezzanine levels at the ends for a waiting area and seating area at the coach end and tables at the sleeper end for "First Class" passengers including an accessible table. On the lower level is additional seating with a kitchen in the middle serving out of both sides to coach and sleeper passengers. And best of all . . . a dome lounge on the upper level where you can also take your meal, socialize and have a beverage or two.
Seems like a logical solution. Turning beautiful new Viewliner diners into buffet takeout cars is a horrible idea.
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