posted
I am currently sitting in the parlor car right now enjoying the wine tasting. Don't you just love technology.
As a CS newbie I asked if we were missing anything that would apprear on the relaunch. I have been informed it is all here.
The movie room is here, parlour car is in full operation. I just had lunch from the new menu. Wine tasting are here. I guess I got lucky.
Since I am here is there anything specific anyone wants to know about the new service. I have the parlour attendant sitting right next to me, he can answer any questions.
Posts: 18 | From: Seattle | Registered: May 2008
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posted
Thanks for the live report! I will be on #14 on relaunch day on Tuesday the 10th.
I do have one question:
Amtrak has said that there is an "alternate menu" available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for sleeping car passengers in the Parlour Car. Can you explain this a bit more? What is on the menu? How do you order your food? Is it delivered to your table in the Parlour Car? How does the food get there? Is it cooked in the Parlour Car, or does someone have to run to the dining car every time someone orders food? Amtrak has said that the "steam tables" (located adjacent to the stairs and the swivel seats) will offer some sort of buffet---any more info on this?
Thanks for any info on this question!
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
I will snatch a menu when I can. They have completely different menus to the regular dining car. In reality it is a totally separate dining facility including its own kitchen.
You can order food in your room, or anywhere in the dining car.
When the attendant comes around they show you the 2 menus then take a reservation for your choice (dining, or parlour).
Posts: 18 | From: Seattle | Registered: May 2008
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Also, if you are on #14 that departed Los Angeles today, you will be going through Vandenberg Air Force Base shortly, and you will lose your internet connection for about 45 minutes. Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
Got your email and the picture of the menu--thank you!
I've been away from the computer for a few hours, so I apologize for the delay. I wish I could post a picture onto this website, but as some of you may know, I have unsuccessfully requested instructions on how to do so (especially with a Mac, although it seems equally confusing with a PC).
Here is a copy/paste on some info from CorporateMonkey's email: _________ (Regarding the steam table)
"They used them during lunch to keep the pasta dish warm. The attendant would arrange the plate (roll, sides, etc...) then mosey over to the table to get the entrée.
It seems to be a well thought out plan.
Also something of interest, regular train dining rules do not apply, sit where you want, take up as much room as you want." ________________
When I take the trip on the 10th, I guess I'll have to see some things for myself in order to figure out how certain things are being accomplished. I'm not sure how food can be prepared/cooked in the Parlour Car as they do not have any cooking facilities. I believe they might have a microwave (but I'm not even sure that they have that), so I'll have to do some digging to find out.
And thanks to the menu that I was sent, I can finally see how Amtrak is putting to use the $8,000 coffee machine. On the Parlour Car menu, the following items are for sale:
Espresso Cafe Latte Cappuccino Mocha Hot Chocolate Americano
They are all priced at $3.75, except for a double-shot Espresso which is $5.00.
The lunch menu shows two entree choices:
Chicken/cranberry/walnut chicken salad Wine Country gemelli pasta Carrot cake, apple tart, or ice cream for dessert
For dinner, it shows:
Beef short rib Pacific Bay scallops
There are no prices listed next to lunch and dinner, so I'm guessing this is included in the cost of a sleeper ticket?
There is also an information brochure on the wines that will be tasted, and it lists the wines as "Day 1", so I think this means they will have something similar for Day 2?
Looks good so far! But I really want to see how they manage to pull off the food service. I have several questions in the back of my mind that I've been pondering for months ever since I found out what they would be doing, so I'm interested in seeing this first-hand so I can understand it better.
CorporateMonkey: If you can find out, can you please let us know which Parlour Car number you have? It should be listed above the sliding exit door at both ends of the car. It will be a 5 digit number, and the first 4 numbers will be "3997". The last digit will be one of these: 0, 2, 3, 4, 5. Thanks for all the info!
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
We are stuck in portland for some reason. We have been here for sometime. They keep coming on the intercom and blaming "Omaha"
As for the menu, I only took a photo of one side. The other side had tomorrows selections. The short ribs are listed as a 2nd day entree
The first day is as follows. Lunch Chef salad Farfalle pasta w/ salad deserts: Butter toasted pecan tart, granny smith apple tart, ice cream
Dinner garden salad Beef braised in a port and goji berry sause Farm style zinfandel braised chicken deserts: a daily selection , cheesecake, chocolates, and "more"
There are other menus for other days/directions. I don't have those in my room.
As for kitchen facilities. In the parlour car their is a kitchen behind the bar. It is maybe 10x8. I saw our attendant dish out chow from there.
FYI the wine tasting is $5, and if you do not partake, they ask you to leave the parlour car. That seemed to piss off a lot of regulars.
All regular parlour food is included. They REALLY attempt at an alcohol upsale.
Posts: 18 | From: Seattle | Registered: May 2008
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The wine tasting is $5?????? Okay, that was unexpected. Wow.
As for Amtrak blaming Omaha, well.....sometimes a Conductor will say that to take the heat off of Amtrak's shoulders, although sometimes it truly is Omaha (Union Pacific).
Also, from Portland to Seattle is all BNSF---not UP.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
In checking the train status of today's #11 and #14 at Portland, Oregon.....as of 5:35 PM (West Coast time), it shows #11 arrived into Portland 13 minutes early, with a scheduled departure time of 2:25PM. It still does not show the train as having departed yet.
For train #14, it shows an ETA into Portland of 3:45PM, which is 5 minutes late. But as of right now, it does now show it as having arrived yet.
I know the station-master at PDX, and he would not allow the status of both trains to go un-checked for so many hours. He would over-ride Amtrak's computer and enter them in manually so that the ETA's are correct.....so something is up.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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I'm really sorry to hear they are charging $5 for the wine tasting. The wine tasting is free advertising for the wineries in question, and the attendant tries to get passengers to purchase the wines afterwards. Charging for the tasting is just stupid, and frankly, the wines aren't usually that great anyway.
Posts: 29 | Registered: Dec 2002
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$5 seems a small price to pay for all the amenities the CS now has. I'll be happy to pay it. But I agree they would do better to bury the charge in the accomodation fare.
Or maybe do like the airlines an have it as an optional add on charge when booking. Couldn't believe it, but I just booked some plane reservations and had to pay an extra $6 if I wanted to select an assigned seat.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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Now that I've had some time to think about it overnight, I think the $5 charge for wine tasting is okay. I remembered how much of a struggle it was to get the CEO of Amtrak to keep the Parlour Cars, and not get rid of them all together like his predecessor had already put into motion. A lot of effort went into keeping them, and Mr. Kummant (the CEO of Amtrak) came up with a plan to keep them. He didn't have to do this----he could have simply not rocked the boat and kept the plan that had already been implemented. He did mention that keeping these cars would mean a few changes. Number one, they would all have to be refurbished, especially the air conditioning units (2 per car/5 cars total). And number two, certain items that were once free would now come at a small cost. Way before the cars got refurbished, Amtrak told the public (in meetings that I attended) that they would no longer offer free soft drinks to all sleeping car passengers, and that if they wanted to keep the cars AND bring back an attendant in the Parlour Car, then they would have to begin charging for soft drinks. Amtrak also said there may be additional charges for other things as well. The way I look at it, if this is the small price (literally) that we have to pay, then I'm all for it. $5 is not a big deal. If you can afford a sleeper, you can afford 5 bucks. The one thing that I don't like, however, is that they kick you out of the Parlour Car if you are not going to partake in the wine tasting. I don't think this practice will last very long----it's probably just a growing pain with this new service.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
I just got into Sacramento, I am now waiting for the Zephyr to Reno.
We got in about 3.5 hours late.
FYI we had unlimited juice coffee, and Champagne in the sleeper cars. They were practically forcing these little booze bottles on us.
Posts: 18 | From: Seattle | Registered: May 2008
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Thanks for the update. Your #6 should be there in just a few minutes. And I'm missing you by one day, as I will be on #6 tomorrow from EMY to RNO.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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My friends boarded the #11 today so I will report back as soon as I have any info. They don't have internet access but perhaps they will phone me as I am picking them up at LA Union Station tomorrow night.
Monkey - what happened that delayed both the #11 and #14 yesterday? Things had been going very well for the past week.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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I can finally elaborate on last nights dinner. I had a terrible headache last night, so I didn't post anymore.
Simple answer: Chow sucked...
I tried the "Highly regarded" braised beef spare rib. Honestly Amtrak has redefined the term "mystery meat"
It was a mush like compote of some sort of animal, smoothed in a chili type sauce. It came with an over steamed vegetable medley. And the final touch was a scoop of radioactive yellow rice. Seriously it was the most yellow food item (maybe any item) I have ever seen. Believe it or not they had a yellow tulip at the table that was pale in comparison. I asked the parlour attendant what it was, even he was astounded.
Last thing to mention. Almost everyone on the train was new. We had two sleeping car attendants (both professional, and attentive). One said he was a 12 year employee, the other it was her first trip period. The dining car attendant was hired only a week ago, and the parlour guy has been on the job for 3 months.
I asked it they were having turn over issues, and the standard answer was "we are having a lot of people retire"
Posts: 18 | From: Seattle | Registered: May 2008
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quote:Originally posted by HopefulRailUser: ]Monkey - what happened that delayed both the #11 and #14 yesterday? Things had been going very well for the past week.
I still don't know. Some said it was an "Omaha issue" other said it was a draw bridge issue.
We never got an official answer. But we did arrive very late.
Posts: 18 | From: Seattle | Registered: May 2008
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quote:Originally posted by palmland: Or maybe do like the airlines an have it as an optional add on charge when booking. Couldn't believe it, but I just booked some plane reservations and had to pay an extra $6 if I wanted to select an assigned seat.
What in the hell airline was this?
Posts: 54 | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
If possible, can you please give a simple/basic explanation of how you uploaded a photo? If it's complicated, don't worry because I won't go through the hassle for something that should be easy. Thanks.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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There are many others, most are free for a basic account. It is very easy to sign up. Once you do it creates an online photo album. Using the web page you upload pictures to it (instructions are very easy to follow) WHen the picture is in your album it will produce a simple link That link should start with \img. Take that link and post it on almost any forum.
Posts: 18 | From: Seattle | Registered: May 2008
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Yellow rice. That is what I experienced a few weeks ago. They had the audacity to call it "risotto" at one of the meals. Sorry to hear about the food, that was my one hope for improvement.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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Hey, you didn't tell us that you have the Beech Grove and Corridor Clipper attached to the rear of your train! I just found out that you have those two cars on your train. In case you don't know, the Beech Grove is the CEO's car (if not being used by Amtrak's CEO, then there are top managers in it), and the Corridor Clipper is an inspection car that Amtrak uses. I can assure you that your train will run on-time today.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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We had two special looking antique yellow cars on the coast startlight. They added them in portland.
Posts: 18 | From: Seattle | Registered: May 2008
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Those were the Stanford and Sunset. Those are Union Pacific executive/manager cars. With your Conductor blaming "Omaha" (Union Pacific), I doubt that was the case with two of UP's executive cars there. I've been on (and seen) many Amtrak trains with UP's personal fleet, and they ALWAYS get those cars over the road on-time or early.
I've been inside both of those cars, and they are quite cushy. Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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First report from my friends on the #11(2). Lunch in the Parlour Car was fine - salad for her, no entree appealed to him so he bought the appetizer chicken wings which he loved. There was a full house for the wine and cheese at $5 a head. It was announced early that those who were not partaking would have to leave the PPC for about an hour, seemed to go over OK. Customer Service rep Carolyn on board, described this as the "prelaunch". Arcade and special coffee machine not functioning yet.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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Thanks for the info on today's trip. The "prelaunch"---pretty good. Well, I give Amtrak credit for trying everything out first.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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I finally got home. I haven't had much if any internet on this trip.
Jarrod I sent you the menu.
Trip rundown:
It was fun to say I took the Coast starlight, but I don't think I need to take it again. It was not highend enough to consider it an excursion train, nor was it fast enough (mostly the delays) to consider it transportation.
The California Zephyr was a little different. I was riding coach this time, and almost had a complete car to myself (3 other riders). It was quite, and the scenery from Sacramento, to Reno was great.
Once again we did have a 1hr delay for some unknown reason.
I did have a chat with someone that was going Sacramento to Chicago coach (!!!). He said he had done it several times, but he said the trip was less than half the current time.
I guess train travel is not what it used to be.
Posts: 18 | From: Seattle | Registered: May 2008
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posted
Interesting to read about the $5.00 charge for the wine tasting. Most wineries around here are charging $10.00 although some let you keep the glass for that. I would be a bit miffed if I were asked to leave the Parlour Car if I wasn't participating. Do they really get that many people? The most I ever saw when it was free was ten or twelve.
Is the menu for food served in the Parlour Car the same as in the diner? Can you have the food served in your room?
I'll give the CS another try after the "relaunch" and the summer rush is over.
Palmland--
What airline is charging for an assigned seat? I know some are charging extra for exit rows/aisles/bulkheads but hadn't heard this one yet.
My most recent flights were last week on Southwest LAX/BNA and BNA/LAS/LAX and both were very nearly full mid-week. The service, as is usual for WN, was very good. I like the new snack offerings. Instead of the box they come around with large cardboard trays with about five choices. You select whatever you want and as many as you want. Cocktails are, amazingly, still $4.00 and the new boarding system is a vast improvement. If you are in the "A" group (based on check-in time or paying the highest fare) you have your pick of seats. I was in a reclining exit room aisle LAS-LAX.
Frank in gorgeous SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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My encounter with an assigned seat charge was on another discount airline - AirTran. While this was in the nickel and dime category, they seem to be comparable to Southwest: cheap fares, decent equipment and on time flights. While I was grinding my teeth over the $6, I was hooked. The $79 fare Burlington, VT to Charlotte was half the cost of USAirways.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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Thanks, Palmland. I tried booking LAX-MKE and would have to go through ATL and take 8+ hours. They don't seem to tell you about the charge for reserving a seat until late in the process. $6.00 for a center seat???!!!! $20.00 for an exit row???!!! I wonder what happens if you try to skip that step?
Frank in still gorgeous SBA.
P.S. To keep this on track, has Amtrak ever offered advance seat assignments in the coaches? I know that my experience on Acela in First Class was first come, first served and on the Cascades in Business Class seats were assigned at check in. On the Surfliners in B/C it's grab what you can. And try to find a seat that has a functioning recline, tray table, reading light and foot rest all in the same seat! Forget about expecting a clean window. Or consistent service. Sorry, you got me off on a little rant there based on my last two trips.
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Frank Not surprised you would get to see ATL. That's their main hub. Fortunately about a year ago they added a few Charlotte flights. That has helped lower the prices for all airlines. Let's hear it for competition!
Somehow Amtrak needs to figure out how to assign coach seats. On a few rides in coach on the Palmetto it seems the somewhat officious coach attendant forces people into assigned seats (seat number assigned as you board) with the goal of filling them up one at a time even if there is a car partially empty and one closed.
Why not just say the long haul passengers go to car 1 or 2, and short hauls go to car 3 or 4. That way you get to pick your seat mate (if traveling alone), as well seats with the features you mention.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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In the 1970's coach seat were assigned and printed right on your ticket. This is when we could only afford to travel coach and more than once we discovered that the same seats were assigned to 2 0r more passengers. Naturally this caused much confusion and hard feelings.I can remember times when we were all rushng around the car changing seats with others so families could sit together, I assume that is the reason the procedure was changed. We surely got acquainted with others rather quickly!!
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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