Viewliner II Delivery/Production

FYI. Should be two more sleepers leaving Elmira this morning. Crew was on duty 5:30am to taxi to Elmira and turn to Binghamton. Arrival in Binghamton between 8-9am.

Alphaboi wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 4:19 pm

Rockingham Racer wrote:Yes, and the price for them is totally and unrealistically high. Then, after poor patronage, Amtrak will be able to say that the idea was unsuccessful.

Actually at $288 for a Roomette and $323 for a Bedroom the prices are pretty decent; the Bedroom is a bargain. These aren't much more expensive than First Class on the Acela, and it saves the cost of a hotel room (which can be expensive in either city.)

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The biggest problem with the NER overnight train is that they charge an extra $150 for the second passenger when the coach price is $49.

Saw a recent trip report on board the new sleepers on youtube:



He thinks the bed is a bit firmer, red cloth used in place of blue, toilet at end of hall with shower across from it, space where commode used to be is available for storage, some tweaks to heating and cooling controls, good sized fold out table, but best of all, room is whisper quiet and really dark for sleeping. Overall favorable review and I look forward to experiencing them on an upcoming trip. Now if we could just get the diners to serve real food again.

They look very nice, can't wait to ride in one! Wish Amtrak were getting more than 25 of 'em.

Is Amtrak still planning on refurbishing the VIs to match?

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Alphaboi wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 7:49 pmIs Amtrak still planning on refurbishing the VIs to match?

That was their original plan, to remove 1 Roomette, replace it with 2 communal showers, and remove the toilets from the rest of the Roomettes.

We may suspect that revisions to V-1s will start but maybe not complete. If sleeper demands cause a minimum to be rotated onto regular service ?

I think it is nearly guaranteed now that the Viewliner I rebuilds will in fact move forward. I would bet better than even money a certain Amtrak car shop in Delaware will get the work.

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What were the names of the two cars released today (April 27)?
Thanks
Andy

Potomac River and Tallapoosa River.

Lost count . How many left to be delivered and are any not delivered out of sequence ?

On Track On Line reports eighteen on hand as of April 1, so these two, 62501 Potomac River and 62519 Tallapoosa River will make twenty.

Five to go, presumably after which, both Amtrak and CAF will say to each other "don't let the door hit you on the way out". This whole sorry execution of this contract will make for quite an interesting B-School case study.

The non-sequential deliveries are quite customary, and so long as you get 'em all, should not be of concern.

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Wed Apr 28, 2021 6:47 am Five to go, presumably after which, both Amtrak and CAF will say to each other "don't let the door hit you on the way out". This whole sorry execution of this contract will make for quite an interesting B-School case study.

Yeah but at least CAF didn't give up, pack their bags and leave like Nippon Sharyo. That would have been a major problem for Amtrak.

I wonder if the Lakeshore might finally get some? Would be nice to see.

While I think there's lots of reasons not to throw more money at CAF, I wonder if the current WH is any more likely to look at further expanding the fleet.

I still think a prudent expansion that among other things has a focus on pragmatic overnight travel between city pairs would have some merit.

And unfortunately, has bad as CAF has been, I think if an expansion is called for, spinning up another manufacturer to make a "Viewliner III" would be a bad idea.