I was able to make it down to Beech Grove last weekend for Amtrak's "open house". Some photos and my blog are on my website:
www.rtabern.com (enter the username/password it gives you... then click on the travels link at the top of the page)
The most interesting things I saw were a stripped-down Pacific Parlor car. Plus, I was the only one of everyone to tour the facility that weekend to see them working on (and photograph the inside of) the new combined diner/lounge that is generating so much buzz.
Posted by CoastStarlight99 (Member # 2734) on :
I am getting "Sorry, this GeoCities site is currently unavailable."
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Sorry, Robert, it's opening for me but not giving me a username/password to use. I'd really like to see this. Sounds like a great trip.
Frank in Sunny SBA
Posted by CoastStarlight99 (Member # 2734) on :
Worked this time . The username and password was on the right side of the page for me.
Great pics! Especially the photos of the interior Diner/Lounge interior. I think they are the first on the net! The design definitely looks nice, however it is not the same as a dining car. The food pick-up part of the car looks a bit like the Acela cafe.
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
The diner/lounge seating is all wrong! If you look closely, it has a table booth facing the window on one side of the aisle, while across the aisle the booth faces the aisle. Then they alternate sides, on down the aisle. Thus the inward facing tables always look at other people's backs!
Inward facing booths should face inward facing booths, and vice versa.
I will give them credit for the overall look, which is reminiscent of the streamliner era, especially the lighting and bar.
That stripped down Parlour Car may be the catalyst for rumors I heard on the train that parlour cars were being stripped by employees for souvenirs.
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
Robert - the "password" they give me is obliterated by another line of text right on top of it, so I couldn't read the password.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
Great report - Thanks.
I particularly liked the picture of you with all the 'big wheels' at Beech Grove!
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Lest we note,Mr. Toy, the configuration reported for the Diner Lounge car (by Mr.Tabern and also at another forum) appears to resemble that which was used in some "Capstone" Amfleet Cafe rebuilds.
For all anyone knows, they salvaged the tables and seating from those cars; they have reportedly been withdrawn as part of the A-I stored equipment.
Incidentially, another forum reports that one of the cars has been released and is now en route to CHI. The same forum reports the cars will be numbered #37XXX.
Posted by dcfan (Member # 2311) on :
Are the semi-circle seats shown in rtabern's photos for the lounge side, or are they also used in the dining section?
Wesley
Posted by Geoff M (Member # 153) on :
Frank, it didn't work for me either - I'm using Firefox. However, if I downgrade to Internet Explorer then the username/password comes up right underneath the login button.
I can't say I like the new diner section. It looks very claustrophobic! I guess we'll find out soon how well it works out.
Thanks for the photos and report.
Geoff M.
Posted by Judy McFarland (Member # 4435) on :
Safari doesn't like the page, either. The password is obliterated by the login box. I'd really like to see this.
Posted by Room Service (Member # 2405) on :
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Robert--
I've been able to get into the website using the username and password but get a "double" image on the screen. No right hand margin for scrolling.
Frank in warm SBA
PS. That's using Safari. I'll try another browser later.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
. The username and password was on the right side of the page for me.