R
Randy Henderson
Guest
Amtrak's long term plan to reduce and eliminate the traditional dining car is in full swing. Amtrak publicly announced to its employees via its company newspaper, Amtrak Ink, that it is in the process of retrofitting its Amfleet lounges, specifically the ones with the smoking rooms, into dinettes. Similar to other food service cars already in service on a few medium and corridor trains, the dinette (called Diner-lite) by Amtrak's Mechinical Department, will replace the dining car to aid in Amtrak's futher need to reduce food service and labor costs in on-board service coming from both political and financial fronts. Amtrak has "admitted" through its article that the Diner-lite will be the only food service car on-board all long-distance East coast trains. The car will have the traditional snackbar style cafe and serve "ready-to-go tray meals" on the dinette side during standard meal periods. The meals will consist of pre-packaged entrees heated in the galley using both conventional and microwave ovens. I am to assume such meals, such as those served on-board the Cascades' Diner between SEA and VAC, will be served. According to article, a poultry, beef and seafood item will be served for dinner. No breakfast or lunch entrees were listed or any support items, like salad, bread or dessert.
I have long suspected the diner was on its way out. This article publicly admits to employees that the diner will be eliminated within a month. Trains specifically targeted to have diners replaced by the Diner-lite include all Silver Service trains, the Crescent, Cardinal (with I believe is already operating with dinnette service) and the Lake Shore Limited. The only "positive news" is that the diner-lite will supplement, rather than replace, the diner during high travel periods. However, knowing the Amtrak business policy, once Amtrak cuts something, its gone for good. Target date for Diner-lite is mid November, which corresponds to the date when Amtrak's food service provider, Gate-Gormet, contract expires.
I have long suspected the diner was on its way out. This article publicly admits to employees that the diner will be eliminated within a month. Trains specifically targeted to have diners replaced by the Diner-lite include all Silver Service trains, the Crescent, Cardinal (with I believe is already operating with dinnette service) and the Lake Shore Limited. The only "positive news" is that the diner-lite will supplement, rather than replace, the diner during high travel periods. However, knowing the Amtrak business policy, once Amtrak cuts something, its gone for good. Target date for Diner-lite is mid November, which corresponds to the date when Amtrak's food service provider, Gate-Gormet, contract expires.