by SouthernRailway
Thought I’d perhaps jump the gun and start a thread about this year’s Thanksgiving special consists: extra trains listed as “commuter train equipment” in timetables and leased from commuter railroads.
Question: the Crescent is already sold out around Thanksgiving, a month away.
First, why doesn’t Amtrak lease commuter coaches to add to long-distance trains as well, for short trips (maybe for anyone traveling 2 hours or less)?
Second, why doesn’t Amtrak borrow Amtrak-compatible sleeping cars and add them to long-distance trains?
Perhaps prices in these borrowed cars would need to be less than in regular Amtrak cars, and tickets sold for them would need to be clearly marked as a substandard class of service, but why give up the added business? Perhaps Amtrak could borrow an observation-lounge to make the sleeping cars better.
Question: the Crescent is already sold out around Thanksgiving, a month away.
First, why doesn’t Amtrak lease commuter coaches to add to long-distance trains as well, for short trips (maybe for anyone traveling 2 hours or less)?
Second, why doesn’t Amtrak borrow Amtrak-compatible sleeping cars and add them to long-distance trains?
Perhaps prices in these borrowed cars would need to be less than in regular Amtrak cars, and tickets sold for them would need to be clearly marked as a substandard class of service, but why give up the added business? Perhaps Amtrak could borrow an observation-lounge to make the sleeping cars better.