Tadman wrote: ↑Mon Jul 22, 2019 9:17 pm
It seems pretty unlikely that there is a fraud problem on the Owl. It's a night train, and there are plenty of cheap daytime alternatives like the Chinatown bus and the MARC/SEPTA/NJT/MN/SLE chain. Of course there are breaks in the chain but by now we're assuming a fraudster is (a) in a hurry; (b) nocturnal; (c) averse to buses and commuter trains; (d) riding the entire line.
I think not.
Tad and Everyone: Back in the day when riders were allowed to board trains without transportation
there would be instances of those with sticky fingers that would try and steal a seat check from a sleeping
rider or at some point during a long station stop such as what trains #66 and #67 make at NYP trying to
beat the fare. Train Crews are vigilant and there is usually an Amtrak Police presence during the boarding process at NYP. Required reservations along with limiting cash fares paid on board make it easier for crews.
The topic of sleeping cars between BOS and WAS two instances come to mind:
When the train title for #66 and #67 was "Twilight Shoreliner" there was a sleeping car each night each way.
Was the reason for the discontinuance low ridership or a shortage of actual sleeping cars or both?
Does anyone remember the "Executive Sleeper" service that was once provided between NYP and WAS
each night in both directions? In the evening after 9:00 PM a single sleeping car was available. At NYP
a passenger would "check in" at Station Services and would be escorted down to the car - which was on
Track 5 normally. The Car Attendant would check the reservation and ticket upon entry. Space would
sometimes be available by either the NYP ticket office or by calling Amtrak 1-800-872-7245 (USA-RAIL).
The car would be coupled onto #67 west during the overnight and was allowed to be occupied at WAS
until 8:30 AM. This was a good combination of an overnight hotel and train ride into one.
Would there be a market for a similar Executive Sleeper service today? MACTRAXX
EXPRESS TRAIN TO NEW YORK PENN STATION-NO JAMAICA ON THIS TRAIN-PLEASE STAND CLEAR OF THE CLOSING TRAIN DOORS