posted
As promised, here are some pictures of the newly renovated Superliner I car #32016. This first one was taken at St Louis Monday night. The car number is now a reflective teal.
The downstairs area near the luggage rack looks like this.
and my room looked like this.
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
When we pulled into Ft Worth, everyone from the northbound Eagle had to look at the new renovation. Also almost all of the Ft Worth staff came to have a look. The consensus was OUTSTANDING! They finally did something right!
However, almost 25 of the 30 people that took a look had the following to say: "Can two people fit in the shower?" or "Two people can fit in the shower." Wonder what that means..... Anyway, here's the new shower.
The door is held by a magnet. If you look closely, you'll see the call button to the left of the door and you will see the "occupied" light on the outside. Its twin is in the same place on the inside, so you know the door is locked.
Here's the built-in seat.
Here's two pictures of the Deluxe sleeper's shower and toilet combo.
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
And now for the standard restroom. The pull down diaper changer has been eliminated in all except for one of the restrooms. The first restroom downstairs is the only one that has the new & improved cahnging table. Here's the picture.
The upstairs restroom looks just like the downstairs restrooms and the upstairs window has been eliminated. Here's an overall picture of the restroom
And here's the trash container and "locked door" light.
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
Nice photos! Thanks! If anyone gets a chance like this and wants a request, I would love to see the new sleeper in her night configuration. See how nice she looks when the beds are made up.
Posts: 88 | From: Omaha, NE | Registered: May 2004
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Amazing! they look much brighter, I'm guessing they looked not as bright like the Coaches, I've never seen the inside of a sleeper, or bin in one, maby in a few years
------------------ JONATHON D. ORTIZ
Posts: 989 | From: DIAMOND BAR CA. U.S. | Registered: Nov 2003
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posted
Thank you. I enjoyed those pictures. The refurbishment is much better than the original look.
Posts: 498 | From: New Hope, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Very nice job Beach Grove. Hope to see more like this in the future.
It looks like the new car does not have the all familiar decal but instead is painted or a painted metal plate was welded on to the car. Good idea as those decals are starting to wear off.
[This message has been edited by Southwest Chief (edited 09-12-2004).]
Posts: 579 | From: San Bernardino Subdivison | Registered: Dec 2001
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posted
I was like a kid in the candy store. I just couldn't stop exploring the car. In fact, I never spent any time in the sightseer car this trip....
And, Big Merl, I really should have taken a night time setup picture because it was picture perfect and the deep blue blanket against the white sheets made for a great visual.
As a consolation prize, here's a picture of the new chair and paneling in the deluxe sleeper {yes, that is the couch in the mirror}
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
Does this car have a regular home yet, or is it just shuffeling along, showing various people what the future will look like?
Posts: 88 | From: Omaha, NE | Registered: May 2004
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I'm thinking Amtrak needs to take this car, along with an unrefurbished Superliner I for comparison, to Washington DC to show our Congresscritters what they will be buying by properly funding Amtrak for '05.
Posts: 2649 | From: California's Monterey Peninsula | Registered: Dec 2000
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It's possible, Chief. I believe it's bouncing between the Eagle & the City of New Orleans consists.
When we were travelling through Dallas, heading to Ft Worth, I started looking for Joy Smith's business card (I usually have it with me when I'm Amtraking). I left it at the house...
I was going to invite her to the Ft Worth station to check out the renovation. I asked the station attendant to call her, but he stated that she wouldn't make it there on time, so there was no reason to make the call.
Oh well....
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Mr. Toy: I'm thinking Amtrak needs to take this car, along with an unrefurbished Superliner I for comparison, to Washington DC to show our Congresscritters what they will be buying by properly funding Amtrak for '05.
posted
I received a reply from Mr. Gunn. It was a two sentence letter stating that Beech Grove plans on refurbishing a Superliner car every two weeks! Quote "The goal is a car every other week."
WHOOP!!!!!! That's 26 refurbished Superliners a year!
[This message has been edited by mikesmith (edited 09-26-2004).]
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
That may not be a complete rebuild like this one every two weeks. I think that process would necessarily be more gradual. I expect he was including cars getting relatively minor repairs as well.
------------------ Decisions are made by those who show up. VOTE on Nov 2! The Del Monte Club Car
posted
You be the judge. You know his response. Here's my letter:
Dear Mr. Gunn:
I sent the following letter to your Beech Grove repair facility. They exceeded my expectations regarding the refurbishment of a Superliner I.
I am also sending a letter to my Congress people, requesting that they properly fund the Beech Grove facility with its own appropriation. I’m requesting $50 million a year for the next 3 years, specifically to renovate the aging fleet of Superliners. I am asking that they attach this to the very next appropriations bill that is brought to a vote.
I am excluding the 3rd paragraph from the copy that will be sent to my congress critters. They don’t need to be confused about any minor glitches that probably happened after the car left Beech Grove.
The refurbished car is outstanding. Get the rest done soon.
Great Job, Mike Smith
<copy of letter sent to Beech Grove>
Amtrak Maintenance Department Superliner Remanufacture Program 202 Garstang St. Beech Grove, IN 46107
Congratulations! I am currently on the Texas Eagle. Headed for Austin in your newly refurbished Superliner #32016.
This is an outstanding improvement! The restrooms are a vast, huge, incredible improvement over the old setup! (Can you make the SII’s with the push button?) The shower is awesome, the paneling is superb, the color scheme is pleasing, and the floor is great!
There are two minor problems. The AC is not cold enough. It seems like the filters are dirty (low air flow). I’m wondering if someone confiscated the new ones in Chicago. The announcements are very soft, even with the volume on channel 1 all the way up.
Now, how about an exercise room in the old coach/smokers, with larger windows? Point the bikes and the treadmills towards the larger windows, so we can get some of those calories off that the diner so graciously adds to our bodies.
Can you have the rest of the Superliners refurbished in time for my wife and my annual Amtrak vacation in May 2005?
Seriously, this is how it should be! Great renovation!
Thanks,
Mike Smith
Cc: President Gunn Cc with cover letter: President Bush, Senator Hutchison, Senator Cornyn, and Representative Brady
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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