Buying a Sleeper Upgrade On-Board?

[Trogdor]

The credit card machines do not check available inventory. They process credit cards, and nothing more.

The cafe staff (which, really, is one person) do not have internet access. They have no way of checking inventory (seat inventory, not food inventory).

 

[AlanB]

Yup, it's just a standard credit card machine that makes a connection through the internet. But there is no real internet access. They are supposed to be working on a inventory system, which may or may not be online while in transit, but that hasn't happened yet. Even then, I can't see them giving the attendant the ability to access the internet directly.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

They have Internet access in the sense that they communicate with a credit card company to get information. The conductors can also access an up to the minute manifest IIRC, but that might be only at staffed stations.

In any event they can access a network, that doesn't mean they can browse the web. Since card machines only need a tiny amount of bandwidth it is easier to use a satellite or cell signal in remote areas versus an inventory management system.