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Could this be a meal option for the Lakeshore?.....or other ‘one-night out’ trains such as the Cardinal, Crescent or Silver Star/Silver Meteor? I assume an airline caterer already supplies the Acela First Class meals at Sunnyside so why not provision these other trains similarly?
VIA’s Ocean (which uses the European ‘Renaissance’ equipment) is a run much like the Lakeshore.....covering 840 miles overnight between Halifax and Montreal. There’s a Diner.....but no Kitchen or Chef on board. It’s a table car only with just a small pantry in the centre of the car to prepare morning toast, serve drinks and desserts etc.
Instead....meals come from an airline caterer "Gate Gourmet"....and are reheated in a Convection Oven (NOT Microwave) in the adjacent Service/Lounge Car.....then replated on real dishware (no plastic here!)
Lunch was served departing Halifax with two settings at 1pm or 3:30. I had the Ocean’s signature Fish Chowder (thick!) along with the Shrimp Alfredo.
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And Breakfast departing Saint-Foy (Quebec City) at 6:30 the next morning. A Ham and Cheese Quiche:
(Meals are included for Sleeper Passengers but notice the Menu footnotes: Economy (coach) Passengers are invited into the diner with a set breakfast at $12 ($10 continental)or dinner for $19.
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Even with the outside catering....there’s lots of room here for cost cutting. The Diner staffing is still heavy especially during the summer when the Ocean could be carrying up to 9 sleepers. Also the dishware and tablecloths etc (note....no paper napkins at the evening meal!) As long as meals are of a good quality....I’d take them on plastic and paper placemats! (but wait....perhaps real dishes and glasses are cheaper in the long run considering the environment!)
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