Each Sight-Seer Lounge is to have a full half of its seats removed and replaced at one end with tables. By the way, I have ridden in one of these already , but did not realize at the time what the real purpose of the conversion was.
Once meal service begins in the car , I presume no passengers visiting the car will be able to sit at the tables unless actually eating a regular "tray" meal.
Thus, the number of seats available in the car (just for "observation") will be strictly limited.
Won't this be a "disaster" during the busy times of the year when (even at FULL capacity) it can be impossible to find a seat ?
Will another "regular" Sight-Seer Lounge be added to accomodate passengers who want just a regular seat in the car to "relax." ?
In the car I rode, it was not a problem , of course , because the tables were available to everyone and most passengers seemed to actually like having tables to sit at in the observation car. But this new "scenario" is very different. I think the limited number of regular seats it results in will not be accepted very favorably.
How WILL this conversion "work" after-all ?
PullmanCo Member # 1138
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Nope. 1 non-revenue car per train. Conductors will have to enforce the footprint of one seat per person.
20th Century Member # 2196
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Are they phasing out the full service dining cars?
RussM Member # 3627
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If the dining cars are being replaced with half of a sightseer, wouldn't that stretch out the time needed to feed everyone ? Are they scheduling dinner seatings to midnight ?
TALKrr Member # 683
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Russ M:
That is exactly what I was thinking, also. Plus, think how this would severly limit seating capacity in the Sight-Seer car JUST for "observation."
During the busy season NOW , it is sometime impossible to get a seat in the car through certain partts of the country. Imagine how it will be in the future.
I presume all the tables will be reserved only for official "diners" and held available at all times.
I foresee a major problem with this issue.
johnhedge Member # 4241
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I start my Poor Boys Train Trip on April 11 and suould be able to report on this issue in detail in my livejournal as I go.
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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As I understand it, there is to be one converted lounge on each train. A converted diner will also be added if the passenger load warrants. Each type of converted car will be half lounge and half diner, so in theory a net full car of each will be available if two cars are in the consist.
But I share your concerns. How Amtrak actually implements this will have a huge impact on passenger satisfaction. There is huge potential to really screw this up, but I also see opportunities for greater flexibility in customer service and equipment utilization. It concerns me that they are plunging into a system wide conversion without testing the waters first, though.
I do like the idea of having open meal service from 6:00am to 11:00pm so folks can eat on their schedule and not Amtrak's. Years ago there were some experiments on the Sunset with a similar schedule arrangement and it was well received by passengers. They found they never filled the diner at any given time, so no reservations were needed. The converted sightseer lounges are supposed to have reserved seating tables on the lower level for a more formal dining experience, while upstairs seating is for more casual eaters.
I might add that the converted sightseer lounge you may have seen was probably on the Empire Builder, which introduced a redesigned lounge car with tables last year, similar to the Pacific Parlour Cars. This was done before Congress mandated cuts in food service, and probably has no connection to the current redesign plan. The diners and lounges in the current plans aren't supposed to begin conversion until later this year.
amtrakwine Member # 4265
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I was on the heartland flier this weekend. Was told by the snack car attendant (ex dining car attendant) that Amtrak has a converted Lite Diner in the system but nobody knows where? But she has 20 years with Amtrak and says it is there. I donot know what to think.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Mr. Toy - what is the "more formal dining experience" in the lower level of the converted Sightseer Lounge cars? Will they have real linen, black tie suits required, gourmet 5-course meals, and a piano player down there? (hah!)
Just curious........
20th Century Member # 2196
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RRRich,That sounds wonderful, lol. But I prefer good dining,good bar service,and casual attire.
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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Rich, most of what I know came from this article.
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