I couldn't find a confirming link on there being an order Specifically for viewliners, but I did find this Amtrak Employee newsletter that has a blurb about creating specs for new single level cars. http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/ink/AmtrakInk-122208.pdf
don't know if this link as been posted but it confirms the order for viewliner II cars. 130 of them. http://www.apta.com/passenger_transport/notices/#b01
Ah, that's an RFP, not an order. They're asking vendors to present proposals. That blurb doesn't include the attached technical specs, so I don't know how much of the Viewliner 1 spec is included in it, but the vendors will propose whatever they think is best. Some Vendors may propose things that don't meet all the specs, because they disagree with the specs and try to convince Amtrak to agree to them. My point is that Viewliner II may not look anything like Viewliner I and nobody has placed an order for anything yet. I'm knee deep in RFPs at work, so I'm familiar with what that implies. At best you could say that Amtrak is planning to make an order at some point in the future.
What was linked is only the announcement that Amtrak intends to issue an RFP on 6/22/2009, together with the bidding and award schedule. This announcement, required by Government Procurement Regulations, can not be published unless funding for this procurement has been approved, and the procurement process has been authorized. The Bidding Instructions, Technical Specifications, and Terms & Conditions are contained within the RFP package which is provided to each company listed on the approved bidder's list for this specific contract. I agree that it would be interesting to see a copy of the tech specs. However, since this is a competitive process, access is limited to only the approved bidders until after the contract has been awarded. At that time the contract, including the tech specs, will become public property.
ahh so it not a confirmed order. it just means we intend to issue a order to a bidder etc. just like the RFP were amtrak wants to order new A/C electric engines.
