Pacific Parlour Car retirement February 2018?

The federal government is running on short-term "continuing" resolutions. Trump indicated he wanted to zero Amtrak's LD subsidy. So, it is unclear to me what money Amtrak is presently receiving, probably level funding from prior years? If I am guessing correctly, Amtrak would be under pressure to reduce expenses especially on LD due to uncertainty, so Trump may have indirectly moved up the retirement of the Parlor Cars.

The “Napa Valley” and “Columbia Valley” were paired up for the final round trip. “Sonoma Valley” did the honors on the second-to-last trip. Beautiful cars, inside and out.

RRpics had a few really nice pics of the parlor cars today.

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/647006/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/647007/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/647005/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I remember them from their El Capitan configuration. If Amtrak is going to retire them from service, I hope someone like Jack Deasy can get one.

This is a great history showing the original El Cap lounge configuration: http://www.trainweb.org/outsidetherails/PPCHistory2018/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's odd that the Parlours are suddenly going away soon after instituting the new business class coach, which doesn't seem to offer much value without the previous perk of access to the Parlour car! If the train is still going to run with three sleepers, a business class coach, and three or four coaches during peak travel periods it certainly seems that a second lounge is warranted.

Matt Johnson wrote:This is a great history showing the original El Cap lounge configuration: http://www.trainweb.org/outsidetherails/PPCHistory2018/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's odd that the Parlours are suddenly going away soon after instituting the new business class coach, which doesn't seem to offer much value without the previous perk of access to the Parlour car! If the train is still going to run with three sleepers, a business class coach, and three or four coaches during peak travel periods it certainly seems that a second lounge is warranted.

Business Class never had true PPC access, just access to the wine and cheese tasting for an upcharge.

bretton88 wrote: Business Class never had true PPC access, just access to the wine and cheese tasting for an upcharge.

That makes it even less appealing. Same seats, same seat pitch as normal Superliner coach, right? I hate to say it, but the Parlour Car was too good for Amtrak. Maybe it's tough to justify in a political environment where passenger rail doesn't enjoy strong bipartisan support and everything seems to be getting perpetually worse for those not among the 1%, but it at least showed that Amtrak could be more than a Soviet style transit operation.

Is this the peak travel season for the Coast Starlight? I'm wondering how ridership is, if people are missing the Parlour car, and if the single Sightseer Lounge is providing sufficient capacity to meet demand for lounge space.