Anything new regarding the Sunset Ltd. between Florida and New Orleans? Thanks.
Posted by 20thCenturyLimited (Member # 1108) on :
Not a whit.
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
I like your name, Dixie Breeze. Sounds like a passenger train for the Louisville and Nashville RR in the style of Dixie Flyer, Dixieland, Dixie Flagler. I have heard no news about Sunset restoration - but everything indicates it won't happen. The real question is can the remaining portion of the Sunset hang on.
Posted by SunsetLtd (Member # 3985) on :
Remaning portion is going pretty strong! Ridership is high and Coach only has a few seats left when it comes through. The only proplem with it is the UP trackwork around Alpine which is really hurting its on-time percentage.
Posted by gp35 (Member # 3971) on :
Sunset needs daily service. A new massive Intermodal terminal in Houston set to begin construction in 2007 and Beaumont is making plans for it Downtown Terminal. This will increase riders in both those cities.
Posted by PaulB (Member # 4258) on :
Last time I checked, intermodal containers don't ride on passenger trains. Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
We are talking intermodal passengers between train and bus. Downtown is a key point for Beaumont where the Amtrak station is difficult to find in the freight yard.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
quote:Originally posted by George Harris: We are talking intermodal passengers between train and bus. Downtown is a key point for Beaumont where the Amtrak station is difficult to find in the freight yard.
Particularly since it has been reported here (by gp35 I believe) that the Beaumont 'station' is merely a concrete slab and a platform now.
Posted by dixiebreeze (Member # 3224) on :
It seems like the public should be able to do something to get the Sunset back on track -- no pun intended. On track that is, between Florida and NO. I'm really starting to get upset about this. I sure miss my annual rides to California and Oregon.
Thank you Palmland. I chose DixieBreeze because it's the homeland of my ancestors and though I was born in the north, I'm Southern by choice and provenance.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
Letters to your congressperson and senator would be a good place to start although I think that would be kind of pointless until after the November 7 elections when we learn who our local elceted officials will be. Letters to those officials who directly represent communities that are along the suspended portion of the route would also be a good idea. Those of us in other places who might have otherwise visited Florida if the Sunset were running could also help by sending letters to that effect to Florida's representatives.
Posted by gp35 (Member # 3971) on :
The Beaumont slab is not in a freight yard. It's about 4 blocks east of a freight yard. It is next to a high school baseball fields. You can catch a game while standing on the slab. Houston's terminal will be very impressive. A huge project(looks like a high rise) is already under construction next to the Houston terminal site. Beaumont plans are big for a city of its size.
Posted by Napoleonville (Member # 4606) on :
Any way you look at it this is great news for two major Gulf Coast stops on the Sunset route. Both stations were woefully inadequate to serve the traveling public's needs. My only concern is that once the cities of Beaumont and Houston coplete these much needed facilities Amtrak will throw out a 180 day notice on the notorious money losers #1 and #2.
Posted by TALKrr (Member # 683) on :
Am considering a trip on the Eagle/Sunset in January. Had a question:
Does BOTH the Eagle and Sunset run with a Sightseer Lounge Car in the consist. So that everyone knows what I mean , big windowns on top and small cafe on the bottom with tables ?
Somebody told me this car was eliminated from the Sunset for a while. I really think this car is a necessity for me.
Posted by PaulB (Member # 4258) on :
Both trains should have a Sightseer Lounge Car. However, January is a long way off (in train on-board service terms) so anything could happen.
Posted by gp35 (Member # 3971) on :
quote:Originally posted by Napoleonville: Any way you look at it this is great news for two major Gulf Coast stops on the Sunset route. Both stations were woefully inadequate to serve the traveling public's needs. My only concern is that once the cities of Beaumont and Houston coplete these much needed facilities Amtrak will throw out a 180 day notice on the notorious money losers #1 and #2.
Good news and bad news, from a very very VEEEERY high reliable person. No Sunset daily service anytime soon. Lack of trainset is the only reason. I was told it is more expensive to run tri-weekly on the Sunset than daily service. Amtrak number 1 goal is to make Sunset and Cardinal daily once trainset become available. Sunset will not get 180 day notice. Sunset here to stay. Very reliable source.
Posted by gp35 (Member # 3971) on :
Beaumont's current rail stop. That slab is where the station was located before it was razed.
Posted by Napoleonville (Member # 4606) on :
GP35; Looks like much hasn't changed in Beaumont since they closed Tower 74. Thanks for the straight skinny on the Sunset. One of the past presidents (it seems like a revolving door now since Graham Claytor left) said it would be less headaches and truly a money saver if Amtrak bought a plane ticket for passengers going from LA to Orlando and he was talking about coach passengers. Tri-weekly never did make sense from a business stand point let alone a viable means of transportation.
Posted by Pojon (Member # 3080) on :
Latest word from public relations dept. of Amtrak in Washington, DC is that crews have been trained and readied for resumption of Sunset Limited service but no word yet on just when the service will be re-instated to Orlando from New Orleans.
Posted by Geoff M (Member # 153) on :
If all the rumours are true about SL restarting service east of NOL, why don't they announce it so people can book it? Are they just going to start with just a week's notice - and then wonder why nobody is on the train?!
Are they still waiting for authority from whatever agencies have their fingers in the Amtrak pie?
Geoff M.
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
gp35: Not even a platform of any kind? Do they have a sign somewhere? It is amazing anybody even finds the place.
In 1981 I was working briefly in South Louisiana and had friends in Houston. On my way there once, I went looking for the Beaumont station. At that time the station building was still there, with SP and MP signs on it. Looking somewhat run down.
In the freight yard or near the end of it, not much difference. I was thinking in the yard, because when I found it there was a set of power sitting there idling. Don't recall if there was a train attached or not.
George
Posted by gp35 (Member # 3971) on :
There is a platform. The platform is split into 2. If you look closely at the picture, you can see the passengers getting off the train walking on the eastern platform. The other platform is behind the camera.
The station was half station and half UP office. When UP pulled their ppl out, the homeless moved in and the station went down. It was razed in 2003.
The good news is a Bus/train transit terminal is in the works for downtown.
Posted by gp35 (Member # 3971) on :
oh, no sign. No restroom. no protection from the rain. Nothing. It's a deadend in street.
Posted by Tanner929 (Member # 3720) on :
"The charachter of a town can be judged by how it treats its Railroad Station,"
Posted by dixiebreeze (Member # 3224) on :
quote:Originally posted by Pojon: Latest word from public relations dept. of Amtrak in Washington, DC is that crews have been trained and readied for resumption of Sunset Limited service but no word yet on just when the service will be re-instated to Orlando from New Orleans.
Worth repeating if correct and I sure hope you're right! Keep us posted please.
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Ridership is high and Coach only has a few seats left when it comes through. The only proplem with it is the UP trackwork around Alpine which is really hurting its on-time percentage.
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