Hi everyone We are heading to New Orleans in July on the Crescent from Philadelphia. Any advice or tips regarding this run would be greatly appriciated! Are the dining cars on this run refurbished? And how is the new dining car menu working out? Thanks in advance for your advice and suggestions Gregg from Philly
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
The Crescent was still running a Heritage Fleet diner (one of the 1950's era cars) when I rode it last summer. That is a good thing if you're hoping for the recently re-improved menus. The alternative would be a poorly refurbished Amcafe car such as what they are running on the Lake Shore Limited.
Reputable sources have repeated hearing that the Silver Star might be losing the Heritage Diners in favor of the Amcafe and more austere dining but I have not yet heard of this being likely for the Crescent.
Posted by gmclau2223 (Member # 2423) on :
Thanks for getting back1 I to was a little concerned about the dining options we really do enjoy the dining car. We are traveling in a Viewliner bedroom so at least we will be able to enjoy the trip in a relaxed private area. we really dont sweat the small stuff like what kind of dining car there will be. But not to be able to have sleeping car service on a overnight run to New Orleans Would almost (I said almost)make me want to seek other transportation. Before I get bashed about the above sleeping car comment, I have taken coach on overnight runs to Florida and although coach is way better than air coach I just like having a place to lay flat at night not to mention a private bath/ shower. Any other Crescent comments would be greatly appriciated! Gregg from Philly
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
I meant to add but got distracted......
The reason for preferring a Heritage Diner is that these cars have more storage space and a larger food prep area. They were intended to serve full meals and the crews have experience in doing what they must to produce (mostly) enjoyable meals.
The Amcafe's which may ultimately be converted over to serve as 'diners' on the eastern routes were intended to sell drinks, chips, and microwaved sandwiches. You can live on it but the storage and prep space to produce a 'diner' meal is not there......and trying to do that in the available space is problematic for the crew. It might improve with practice BUT short of a completely gutted and redesigned Amfleet meal service car, I don't see Amtrak as being able to provide as many meal choices at a comparable quality as they can from the old Heritage Fleet warhorses.
Posted by gmclau2223 (Member # 2423) on :
Hey notelvis, Thanks for the response Would you happen to know if the Viewliners have gone through any refurbishments since their inception on to the eastern routes? Gregg fom Philly
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
quote:Originally posted by gmclau2223: Hey notelvis, Thanks for the response Would you happen to know if the Viewliners have gone through any refurbishments since their inception on to the eastern routes? Gregg fom Philly
None that I'm aware of. Some of them are beginning to get kind of threadbare.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Greg, while there is one Member here who recently caused a 'bit of a fruckus" regarding Coach and Sleeper, I'll give him benefit of doubt he posted such in good faith, as distinct from "trolling":
But nevertheless, you will find that most here do travel Sleeper on LD trains.
While safety has never been an issue, only recently have Viewliners received any real maintenance of their mechanical components (a few years ago, you didn't wnat to ride one in dead of Winter and "have to, uh..., go"), the "cosmetics' still seem to be neglected. But the current Royal Blue fabrics are a great improvement over the as delivered Gray Patterned.
Posted by train lady (Member # 3920) on :
Something no one has mentioned is once on the train ask the conductor if there are any rooms available. Sometimes there are last minute cancellations. That happened to us on the SCgoing to LA/ Also you can keep checking back with Amtrak until the day you leave.
Posted by jp1822 (Member # 2596) on :
It appears that most of the Viewliners have received new cushions and carpeting and are not in the "as delivered" mode. Gone however, is the in room TV monitors and musical entertainment that was featured in the Viewliners. As Mr. Norman noted they also got a better "winterization" upgrade. Actually, the real problem was not maintaining the Viewliner - or neglecting shall I say their maintenance needs. There still is a Viewliner or two that is either too hot or too cold, but hopefully Amtrak is working on it!