July Changes to Lake Shore and Capitol Limited Dining

[lordsigma]

It is probably not possible to get a real good read on the LSL since the ridership numbers have to be hurt by not having a NYP origination, and weather beat the heck out of the CL.

No NYP origination and the consist is also shorter which hinders ridership further.

 

[cpotisch]

I feel like we won't really be able to figure out how ridership was effected by "fresh choices" until at least January. And even that would only tell us what ridership is like for four months in the off-season. My point is, it's going to be a while before we can really get a sense of how the LSL and Capitol are faring from this.

 

[cpotisch]

This was posted in the Texas Eagle Facebook group. One of the members there sent Amtrak a letter with his concerns about contemporary dining following a trip on the Southwest Chief, and here is the response he got, which is supposedly from Stephen Gardner himself:





Apparently "a hot breakfast option is coming on August 15". Considering that was almost two weeks ago, I don't really know what conclusions to draw from that. Still, here's a letter suppose

 

[Palmetto]

I wonder who wrote that letter for Mr. Gardner, and with the August 15 date mentioned, when it was composed. It would not surp rise me to learn that someone wrote up some paragraphs addressing common issues/complaints that have arisen along the way, and put these paragraphs together to get a letter out of them.

 

[tonys96]

If that letter is legit, say bye-bye to a continuous SWC.

 

[jis]

Heh, all that Congress has to do is make the 2019 funding contingent upon continuing to run all current LD trains on their present routes.. They could also designate an amount equal to what Amtrak claims is necessary for the SWC, to the SWC from an appropriation that is already larger than anything Amtrak asked for. Then everyone can declare victory and get to work.

This game is far from over IMHO. Just keep hammering the Congresspeople.

 

[Amtrakfflyer]

The letter talks about Amtrak having to reduce its subsidy? Hello... Congress is and has substantially increased said subsidy for the national network. The SWC is the most practical LD western train we have in many ways.

 

[jis]

The letter talks about Amtrak having to reduce its subsidy? Hello... Congress is and has substantially increased said subsidy for the national network. The SWC is the most practical LD western train we have in many ways.ST

This again goes back to language regarding reducing subsidy that the same Congress found fit to include in bills that found their way into 49CFR. They have the power to remove said language but have not seen it fit to do so yet..

IMHO the whole relationship between the federal government and Amtrak needs to be cast in the form of a Contract wherein Amtrak provides certain specified services in exchange for a certain agreed upon Contract Fee. Then Congress (through appropriations to be managed by SecDOT) can specify what services must be provided for how much fee each year, and they could even strike deal spanning multiple years like they do in the Defense Industry all the time. But I believe Congress doesn't trust itself to be sane enough to manage such a venture, hence the mess that we have.

 

[cpotisch]

Heh, all that Congress has to do is make the 2019 funding contingent upon continuing to run all current LD trains on their present routes.. They could also designate an amount equal to what Amtrak claims is necessary for the SWC, to the SWC from an appropriation that is already alrger than anything Amtrak asked for. Then everyone can declare victory and get to work.

This game is far from over IMHO. Just keep hammering the Congresspeople.

But do they really care enough or understand this issue enough to bother doing that?

 

[jis]

Heh, all that Congress has to do is make the 2019 funding contingent upon continuing to run all current LD trains on their present routes.. They could also designate an amount equal to what Amtrak claims is necessary for the SWC, to the SWC from an appropriation that is already alrger than anything Amtrak asked for. Then everyone can declare victory and get to work.

This game is far from over IMHO. Just keep hammering the Congresspeople.

But do they really care enough or understand this issue enough to bother doing that?

That is where we come in. It is up to us, an engaged constituency, to educate them and light the fire under their rear ends.

 

[TinCan782]

Should this go here, or in the Brightline thread?

Meal service, two concepts

https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/meal-service-two-concepts/

Sounds like nice service.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Brightline is a totally different experience. I rode Brightline the first month they were in operation. They will, if they continue, show everyone what rail travel can be in the USA and how relevant it is. Their train stations resemble an airline terminal designed by IKEA. Their trains have modern touches like ramps that bridge the gap between the train and the platform (no more "mind the gap"). The interior of the cars are fine.. nothing overly special and actually, like Amtrak, a bit sterile (the best passenger train equipment in the USA, imho, is the Carolina owned equipment.).

My problem is.. you're comparing an in-station lounge with an on-board meal. Amtrak does pretty good with at-seat meals on the Acela trains, complete with silver ware, china, etc. And all without a chef! So it's very possible for Amtrak to provide a better product.

 

[keelhauled]

Should this go here, or in the Brightline thread?

Meal service, two concepts

https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/meal-service-two-concepts/

Sounds like nice service.

The "article" is 90% Brightline promotional material, 5% image captions, and 5% editorial commentary. Of course it sounds nice.

 

[chrsjrcj]

Should this go here, or in the Brightline thread?

Meal service, two concepts

https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/meal-service-two-concepts/

Sounds like nice service.

As crescent-zephyr said, it's comparing onboard meals to a station lounge. On the actual Brightline trains, you get a bag of chips. Of course, it's only a ~60 minute trip, so the food is almost unnecessary.

 

[Maverickstation]

. On ACELA First Class today. . The Menu has 3 versions that rotate, this would be a good menu for trains like the Lake Shore and Capitol Limited, as opposed to what they now offer. 2 LSA’s provided service to our sold out first class car.

 

[Maverickstation]

Here is the other part of the menu.

 

[cpotisch]

IMG_1535675125.612423.jpg. On ACELA First Class today.

IMG_1535675232.188692.jpg. The Menu has 3 versions that rotate, this would be a good menu for trains like the Lake Shore and Capitol Limited, as opposed to what they now offer. 2 LSA’s provided service to our sold out first class car.

From what I've heard though, the Acela First Class meals are pretty small. That might not be ideal for an overnight train.

 

[Maverickstation]

A bit off topic, but hats off to Frank, the Red Cap at South Station. A true pro !!

 

[Maverickstation]

IMG_1535675125.612423.jpg. On ACELA First Class today.

IMG_1535675232.188692.jpg. The Menu has 3 versions that rotate, this would be a good menu for trains like the Lake Shore and Capitol Limited, as opposed to what they now offer. 2 LSA’s provided service to our sold out first class car.

From what I've heard though, the Acela First Class meals are pretty small. That might not be ideal for an overnight train.

. Judge for yourself, the ACELA First Class meals aren’t that small.

 

[cpotisch]

IMG_1535675125.612423.jpg. On ACELA First Class today.

IMG_1535675232.188692.jpg. The Menu has 3 versions that rotate, this would be a good menu for trains like the Lake Shore and Capitol Limited, as opposed to what they now offer. 2 LSA’s provided service to our sold out first class car.

From what I've heard though, the Acela First Class meals are pretty small. That might not be ideal for an overnight train.

. Judge for yourself, the ACELA First Class meals aren’t that small.

IMG_1535676113.947002.jpg

Oh. not bad. I'd seen pictures and reviews of Acela First meals, and they were (or at least looked) a lot smaller.

 

[seat38a]

IMG_1535675125.612423.jpg. On ACELA First Class today.

IMG_1535675232.188692.jpg. The Menu has 3 versions that rotate, this would be a good menu for trains like the Lake Shore and Capitol Limited, as opposed to what they now offer. 2 LSA’s provided service to our sold out first class car.

From what I've heard though, the Acela First Class meals are pretty small. That might not be ideal for an overnight train.

. Judge for yourself, the ACELA First Class meals aren’t that small.

IMG_1535676113.947002.jpg

Looks pretty similar to what I had on Via Rail Business.

 

[cpotisch]

IMG_1535675125.612423.jpg. On ACELA First Class today.

IMG_1535675232.188692.jpg. The Menu has 3 versions that rotate, this would be a good menu for trains like the Lake Shore and Capitol Limited, as opposed to what they now offer. 2 LSA’s provided service to our sold out first class car.

From what I've heard though, the Acela First Class meals are pretty small. That might not be ideal for an overnight train.

. Judge for yourself, the ACELA First Class meals aren’t that small.

IMG_1535676113.947002.jpg

Is it good, though? (at least compared to the fare in conventional dining cars and/or the boxed meals)

 

[jis]

Yes it is as good as similar items served in the Dining Cars. In both places they are pre-plated things that are heated and served. Why would they be that different?

You really need to ride and experience things and then comment about it instead of regurgitating others opinions.

 

[Maverickstation]

IMG_1535675125.612423.jpg. On ACELA First Class today.

IMG_1535675232.188692.jpg. The Menu has 3 versions that rotate, this would be a good menu for trains like the Lake Shore and Capitol Limited, as opposed to what they now offer. 2 LSA’s provided service to our sold out first class car.

From what I've heard though, the Acela First Class meals are pretty small. That might not be ideal for an overnight train.

. Judge for yourself, the ACELA First Class meals aren’t that small.

IMG_1535676113.947002.jpg

Looks pretty similar to what I had on Via Rail Business.

. The concept is similar, but VIA Rails corridor business class is more expansive with the beverage trolley, and real hot towel service.

 

[jis]

But coming back to the topic - I was just looking at the bookings on the first and second run of the LSL from NYP starting this weekend, and bookings seem very healthy. Sleeper fare is upto $1100, Roomettes sold out. While ridership has been down over 10% for July, it will be interesting to see how quickly it recovers, and whether it recovers to pre NYP track work levels, in spite of the food service changes.

It would be also interesting to see what the consist looks like. Trying to serve 6 or 7 Coaches worth of passengers through half a Cafe/Lounge seems a bit of a stretch, now that the Diner is off limits to the Coach passengers. Ideally a full Diner Lite would seem to make sense in addition to the BC/Lounge, but probably won;t happen.

Also, the Amfleet IIs should now get restored to the Maple Leaf and the Adirondack. Lets see how that goes.