"Signature trains"

I think most everyone would agree that the Starlight can be considered Amtrak's "signature" train----not just because of service, but also equipment.

The service, of course , is outstanding.

The equipment, however, stands out also. The Starlight is the only train where I have experienced Superliner II equipment. Also, the Pacific Parlor Car is exceptional.

In my opinion, no single train should stand-out or be especially "exceptional."

I have always wondered where the route gets the extra money necessary to provide all the extra amenities and special equipment. Is Amtrak West funded differently than the other regions.?

I think the Pacific Parlor Car COULD and SHOULD be SHARED by a number of different trains that arrive/depart from either LA or Seattle---namely the Sunset, Chief and Empire Builder.Why SHOULDN'T passengers on those other trains enjoy the benefits of a private, first-class car too ?? Surely the Starlight could survive without the Parlor Car for short time periods.

For some reason, the Starlight is "favored" above all other long-distance trains. I think this is wrong.

Special equipment (like the Pacific Parlor Car) need SHARED throughout the system----NOT assigned to one particular train only.

The PACIFIC Parlor Car could EASILY become a PRAIRIE Parlor Car, or DESERT Parlor Car or MOUNTAIN Parlor Car.

Why is it "private property" of the Starlight?

Why isn't more effort put into making ALL trains "signature trains" instead of just the Starlight.

 

Why don't they do this to all the trains? Duuuu.....Why don't they add twenty more trains to the system? Why don't they finally get more single-level sleepers and diners? Why did they go into the freight business? MONEY!!! The Coast Starlight makes a profit, so why shouldn't they reinvest that money into it to make it even better? If there's no sign they can turn a profit elsewhere with these funds, why should they bother by throwing their money away?

 

Ferengi Rules of Profit:

RULE #1: You must spend money to make money. If you don't invest in your investment, then why invest? Yes, investing coasts much gold pressed latinum, but you must make your investments look more desirable to others to turn a profit in the long run.

RULE #2: See RULE #1.

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RAILROADING-TO-THE-MAX, Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Style!
Brent Tidaback

 

J
My guess is that the money for those Parlor cars came out of the The Starlight product line. I'm sure the Starlight has gotten a little extra for these niceties but I'm sure if there were extra cars able to be fixed up some product line would jump on them. I wish the Empire Builder would do it, and fast since I plan to ride it this summer. You may ask isn't it all Amtrak? Well to be around Amtrak you would think there are 5 to 20 different companys all vying for every ounce of every cent. We can't get rules classes because the rules dept dosen't want to spend any money. We can't get head phones for the engines because the Safety dept says thats the Starlight product line and it goes on and on. Maybe someday just keep thinking that.

 

Rode the Sunset Limited & Texas Eagle last year & found they were experimenting with some new amenities for the sleeper passengers. On both the trains they had a reception of sorts for the first class passengers in the dining car between lunch & dinner. Included were wine, cheese & crackers & a fruit tray. Similiar if not a little scaled down from the Coast Starlight wine tasting. I was pleasantly surprised & enjoyed it thoroughly. Keep it up Amtrak.

 

To Jeff & Alan: couldn't agree more. John: I've been mulling over your comments both in your reply & in an e-mail you sent me. First I have seen Superliner II cars all over the place, on the SW Chief/Capitol Ltd., the Zephyr, the Sunset Ltd & yes even on the EB & City of New Orleans. I even rode on one while on the Cardinal. They are also used on the Auto Train. Now about the Pacific Parlour Cars{PPC}, they are in a way the property of Amtrak West as they were almost scrapped until they came up with refurbishing them & using them on the Coast Starlight. The refurbish was done in 2 stages, all 4 cars are now finished the second phase of refurb. The original cars were used in service on the Pioneer & Desert Wind while those trains were still operating & were freed up for their current use when those trains were dropped. People can't be expected to pay the upgrade for the use of the PPC & then board the train to find out it's on the SW Chief today, sorry. The Accomodation charge for 1 night on the starlight is about the same as the overpriced viewliners on the east coast. You pay for what you get & the passengers on the Starlight pay foe the PPC. Keep riding & supporting Amtrak.

 

In some ways I see logic to what Amtrak has done. Unlike Via, Amtrak looks at the area and decides what would soot it best, like the Fast, smooth, smart looking Cascades for the Eugene-Vancouver corridor that is emerging. I personally almost feel it is a good choice to make. Like alot of other people said when you spend money, you have to make money. Amtrak may not feal tht there is money erning potentional to have certain services all over. If they did, then why don't they just use Superliners on the whol system? BC Rail works with similar logic too. The new trains that have been started, are fit to the personallitty of the town. They are starting to leave this approach and get what is easily available, but arev starting to again discover, that if your train suits the area people will come, and recomend to other people. I mean, Talgos on the Cariboo Prospector are a No-No.

Happy Railroading!

Dane N.

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TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King
TAMR2860@hotmail.com

 

PS-WELCOME ABOARD TRAIN BOARD!!!

Dane N.

 

The superliners are being used just about everywhere they can be. The only trains not running Superliners are on the NE corridor where they can't run through the tunnels & on some day trains. They even run Superliners on the International

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They have to provide extras on that train since UP makes the train run significantly late.
BNSF routes generally lose ~1hr per 1000miles. On UP it's over 4hrs per 1000miles.