posted
I took a short ride from LA to Pomona on the Sunset Limited yesterday. We had a snack coach as the "lounge car". #1, which was still sitting in the station after having arrived at 12:43 pm, also had an additional coach-I presume this was the snack coach.
I'll think optimistically and say that some Sightseer lounge cars are out of service. Also, since the Sunset's trainsets layover in LA for several days, maybe that consist gets "robbed" for the Southwest Chief and Coast Starlight equipment. However, two snack coaches on two sets of equipment is not good.
Another thing that amazes me is that they do not use the upper level coach seating for revenue! Here Amtrak is trying to save money, and yet they haul tons of dead weight!
Posts: 286 | From: Knee deep in the retention tank | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
Yes definately.. Seeing the Sunset without a sightseer is like seeing something you love being ripped apart, piece be piece every time you see it.
posted
Perhaps the lounges are out for conversion to diner/lounges.
Posts: 2649 | From: California's Monterey Peninsula | Registered: Dec 2000
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quote:Originally posted by SunsetLtd: Even Worse! Why couldn't they take the Eagle's or the City's Lounges? They both share a set!
At the very least you would think they could operate the Eagle's Sightseer Lounge through to LAX so that the Sunset would have one west of San Antonio.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
So where are the Sunset's Sightseer Lounges?
One is likely on the "extra trainset" that is held in reserve for the Coast Starlight in LA. When #11 arrives late, this extra trainset allows an on-time departure for #14. Are some also subbing in for Pacific Parlor Cars on the Coast Starlight that are "out of order?" Isn't the Sunset less one trainset due to its truncation in New Orleans?
So how many trainsets does the Sunset Limited require now? It had to get an extra trainset when its schedule changed from a 10:30 p.m. departure from LA to a 2:30 p.m.
Find it hard to believe Amtrak can't find Sightseer Lounge's for this train. Amtrak is likely only working on three Sightseers at a time - for their conversion for the new dining program etc.
I wouldn't be the least but surprised if the Sunset Limited is the next train on the chopping block. Could the Texas Eagle be the through train to Los Angeles, and then a stub train from San Antonio to New Orleans? Would be nice if Texas kicked in some money for a train from San Antonio to Houston or Houston to Dallas etc.
I was also always intrigued with the proposed Crescent Star that was to split with the Crescent (on its way to New Orleans) at Meridian and then head west to Texas. Hasn't this line been recently upgraded?
The Sunset's current schedule with all the padding is a disgrace and there seems to be no timetable for getting this train back to its Gulf Coast routing to Florida - of it ever will. This route is also the first one for government officals to pick on.
I also think the loss of this train's connection with the Coast Starlight has also cost it to lose patronage. But Coast Starlight is also a timekeeping disaster.
Is it time for the Sunset's route to be restructured?
- Combined train with the Southwest Chief where it then splits at Albequerque or Flagstaff to head on its southern course - Stub train San Antonio to New Orleans - Corridor state supported trains in Texas (good luck!) - Crescent Star idea resurrected
Seems like Amtrak has done a lot to drive passengers away - loss of connections in LA, loss of Sightseers, less Sleeping car space, longer trip time etc.
Posts: 337 | Registered: Jun 2003
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