by Gilbert B Norman
gokeefe wrote:I think Amtrak has done a really good job recognizing they had cut too far in some areas, needed improvements in others and (I think correctly) have reduced coach priveleges which were encroaching on the exclusivity of First Class.Absolutely correct, Mr. O'Keefe.
If anything Amtrak has actually restored value to the First Class offerring. Ironically, this actually mirrors historic practice by the railroads which (as I understand it) restricted lounge access to extra care passengers only.
From having "been there, done that", the premier trains all had separate Lounge (often operated by Pullman) facilities for First Class. The full service Dining Car with a sport jacket requirement (necktie optional), while open to Coach passengers was often buried in the Sleepers; few Coach passengers used it (pay $10 for a steak, who me?). The Western Transcontinental trains all had a separate "Café-Diner" for the Coach trade, with counter top seating. Food was prepared on board, but was often the "railroad ham sandwich" varietal. Some of these cars had distinctive motifs, such as the Northern Pacific with their Lewis and Clark Travelers' Rest car. Others like Santa Fe and Union Pacific had all the décor of an OR.
Of course, with the tank top and flip flops "dress code" prevalent on any commercial transportation today, Amtrak would be hard pressed to re-create the First Class experience I knew "back in my day".