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Today's WB Empire Builder (7, 27 & 807) is leaving Chicago with the Amtrak Business Car - Beech Grove - on the end. No doubt it's being taken down the line for the re-launch festivities and events to announce the revamped Empire Builder service.
North American Railroader Member # 3398
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I wish they'd spend this money on improving service or advertising. Personally, I love the idea of having "premier" trains (although they'd never admit it) such as the Coast Starlight, Auto Train, and now the Empire Builder. But when the rest of the fleet is falling into decay, and service is so basic; not to mention when Congress is proposing budget cuts? I don't know, but it sure sounds like this capital could be put for better use somewhere else. I'd much rather have clean menus, or my Tallahassee station agent back, than have a newly revamped train which I'm only going to ride every five years. If this is going to be a steady improvement across the system, than keep it going, but it sure doesn't look like it.
jgart56 Member # 3968
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North American Railroader,
I think the plan is to incrementally improve each train. I have always been impressed with David Gunn's commitment to repair and get back into service as many cars as he can each year...of course the chief bugaboo is money which leads to: letting station agents go, having less staff in the diner (and little time to clean off the menus), getting rid of the Chief of On Board Services position, having a car attendant cover more cars than physically possible, etc. etc.
I think planning for service is hard when you never have an idea how much money you are going to get from year to year or whether you are even going to be in existence next year!
North American Railroader Member # 3398
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Very true! Like I said, if the plan is to eventually implemented to all trains, the key word is eventually, then I have no problem with it. It's just when service is cut back for a few routes that it worries me. Of course, hasn't this always been the story of Amtrak?
jgart56 Member # 3968
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I agree,
With Amtrak it always seems to be 1 step forward and 2 steps back. But I think that's almost always true of any transportation entity. I still think one of David Gunn's priorities is to continue to rebuild and refurbish cars which are running and need it and cars which are out of service for whatever reason.
I wonder, if when such new services start, we should blitz our reps with thank yous for making the service available!
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