Just found out my dad and I will be taking the Starlight up to San Fransisco in early December.
What I can't seem to confirm is how many of the Parlor cars are currently running on the Starlight. Does anyone know if most of the Starlight trainsets have a Parlor car or not? And what are the amenities offered after the "relaunch".
Any other interesting or different things I should know about the Starlight since my last trip in January of 2005?
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
If your train has a Parlour Car, you will notice a few things that are different, but not much. If your train does not have a Parlour Car, you will not notice a single thing. The "amenities" of the relaunched train are already forgotten about and not used any more. This is according to a friend who took #14 less than a week ago. His train did not have a Parlour Car, and there was not a replacement Parlour Car either. No extra food options (since there was no Parlour Car), and the wine tasting was held in the diner, and now you have to pay 5 bucks for it. If you DO have a Parlour Car and you don't want to do the wine tasting, you get booted out of the Parlour Car and they will not let you stay in there-----even though this is something you are paying for as a sleeping car passenger. Not only will you get kicked out of your Parlour Car, but COACH passengers will replace you if they want to pay and do the wine tasting. How's that grab you???
The big relaunch is, once again, a big joke. Same equipment (nothing refurbished or new unless a refurb Superliner 1 happens to show up randomly), no sparkling cider or champagne upon departure, no package of soaps/lotions, no upgraded sheets for the bed, no upgraded linens, no drumhead on the rear (it lasted for one trip and then disappeared), no Coast Starlight headrest papers (that lasted less than a week until they disappeared), and on and on.....In other words, TYPICAL AMTRAK.
As far as which Parlour Cars are in service, there is no way to know in advance. Sometimes 4 are in service, sometimes 0 are in service. Depends on which direction the wind is blowing. Sorry about that. In my opinion, the best way to approach the trip is to have a mindset that you are going to enjoy it no matter what crap Amtrak throws at you. The scenery is beautiful and the trip can be relaxing....However, go in with zero expectations and if they happen to have an amenity or two, that will just be a bonus.
Posted by Southwest Chief (Member # 1227) on :
Thanks, I guess, for the information.
Very typical Amtrak it seems. But at least you mentioned there could be 4 Parlors out there. I thought only two have been "converted" thus far, but I could be a couple months off...been pretty busy with work.
The 5 bucks extra for the wine is a new one for me.
Is the Starlight still primarily a Superliner II consist? Not that it matters anymore since these cars are now just as shabby as the old Superliner I's. But I'd like to see a Superliner II Coach interior for HO modeling purposes. They're never on the Chief, and that's the train I take the most.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
There are a total of 5 Pacific Parlour Cars, and all five of them have been refurbished. As far as what the interiors look like, there is not a noticeable difference between before and after refurb, with the exception of the downstairs movie theater which received a new plasma TV and surround-sound speakers. Most of the work that was done was for mechanical issues (HVAC, new wiring for electrical outlets, etc). The table where they used to put the morning continental breakfast is now a steam table where they put out the food for the optional dining choices (you do not get the food yourself---the attendant who is very overwhelmed with work if the car is busy will get you the food when they get a spare moment, so be prepared for a wait).
The sleeping cars on the Starlight are usually Superliner II's (non-refurb) and an occasional Superliner 1 sleeper that has been refurbished. It's just luck of the draw on which type of sleeper it will have. The Coach cars are completely random, as this train does not run exclusively with Superliner II Coach cars as in years past. It will have "whatever" as this has been the practice for a while now.
Posted by Jarrod (Member # 4318) on :
quote:Originally posted by smitty195:
no drumhead on the rear (it lasted for one trip and then disappeared)
The drumhead is still running, but is still only on the one trainset. I've seen it several times.
Posted by Jarrod (Member # 4318) on :
quote:Originally posted by smitty195: Same equipment (nothing refurbished or new unless a refurb Superliner 1 happens to show up randomly), no sparkling cider or champagne upon departure, no package of soaps/lotions, no upgraded sheets for the bed, no upgraded linens, no drumhead on the rear (it lasted for one trip and then disappeared), no Coast Starlight headrest papers (that lasted less than a week until they disappeared), and on and on.....In other words, TYPICAL AMTRAK.
Wait, so they aren't even doing the very little they were doing the date of the relaunch? I've been on the Starlight several times since then, but not in first class... It's really annoyed me how they did the relaunch, then when we were onboard they said a bunch of stuff would be coming out over the next few weeks (cause they STILL weren't ready) and then none of it happens.
Has anyone else heard the dinner chimes that are supposed to be used to call meals? I haven't heard them a single time and I haven't heard anyone else say they had either...
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Nope, no dinner chimes either. That was only on day one. The LSA in the diner found that he could not do the "ding ding ding" thing with the chime while handing out dinner reservations at the same time. So the on-board manager said, "No problem" and took the chime away and said it will return with some type of handle so that you can hold the chimes and hand out dinner reservations at the same time. I'm sure that issue is being looked deeply into as we speak (Yeah, right!).
And thanks for the info about the drumhead.....I was told it only went out on the first train on June 10th. I will check with someone in the know tomorrow to see where the supposed "others" are, since they allegedly ordered 6 of them.
Posted by Southwest Chief (Member # 1227) on :
Never heard about a drumhead. Any photos? I didn't think Superliners could handle a drumhead. No electrical plug.
I printed a Super Chief drumhead and taped it to the corridor window of my roomette during one of my Southwest Chief trips. Turned out to be an interesting conversation creator.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
I've never been able to figure out how to post photos on this particular forum. I've asked a few times, but the explanations were way over my head. Something about signing up for a photo website, uploading to there, then downloading to somewhere else, then figuring out the URL for embedding into a coded web page....or some such nonsense. So I gave up on trying to understand it.
Is the email address link on your web page a valid address? If so, I'd be glad to send you the drumhead pictures.
Posted by Southwest Chief (Member # 1227) on :
quote:Originally posted by smitty195: Is the email address link on your web page a valid address? If so, I'd be glad to send you the drumhead pictures.
Sure is. SouthwestChief@gmail.com
And, if you don't mind, I could post it here for you after receiving the photos.
Posted by Jarrod (Member # 4318) on :
quote:Originally posted by Southwest Chief: Never heard about a drumhead. Any photos? I didn't think Superliners could handle a drumhead. No electrical plug.
I printed a Super Chief drumhead and taped it to the corridor window of my roomette during one of my Southwest Chief trips. Turned out to be an interesting conversation creator.
There is actually a plug in between each Superliner. You can see it at shoulder level as you pass between cars. I'm not sure if this is where they are plugging it in, but I'm guessing it is!
Posted by Jarrod (Member # 4318) on :
quote:Originally posted by smitty195: Nope, no dinner chimes either. That was only on day one. The LSA in the diner found that he could not do the "ding ding ding" thing with the chime while handing out dinner reservations at the same time. So the on-board manager said, "No problem" and took the chime away and said it will return with some type of handle so that you can hold the chimes and hand out dinner reservations at the same time. I'm sure that issue is being looked deeply into as we speak (Yeah, right!).
Absolutely ridiculous... but I can't say it doesn't surprise me. I hope they figure out the handle thing soon.
quote: And thanks for the info about the drumhead.....I was told it only went out on the first train on June 10th. I will check with someone in the know tomorrow to see where the supposed "others" are, since they allegedly ordered 6 of them.
Thanks Smitty- I'm looking forward to hearing what you find out.
Jarrod
Posted by PullmanCo (Member # 1138) on :
Why would Amtrak need 6 drumheads for a train that needs at most 4 consists?
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Sorry I didn't answer sooner.....I've been on a train all day and just got to my hotel in Los Angeles. I had the pleasure of riding on two private railcars from Oakland to Los Angeles for a deadhead move, with just myself and the car owner on-board. That was a first for me---what a way to travel!
Matt---I'm emailing you 4 pictures of the drumhead now. Two daytime and two nighttime. Feel free to forward them, post them here, or use them any way you'd like.
Andy
Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
Why does Amtrak need 6 drumheads for 4 trainsets? Presumably because foamers steal things like drumheads and a couple of spares are needed.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
A bit off topic, but I must wonder where the "real deal" Adios drumhead now makes its' home?
For those tuning in late, this was a drumhead affixed to the rear of the final UP 103, City of Everywhere. There is a Russ Sharp photo (I knew him "along the way") appearing Page 61 of Edmonson "Journey to Amtrak" LCN 76-182034.
Posted by Southwest Chief (Member # 1227) on :
Thanks to Andy, here are a day and night view of the Starlight drumhead:
This is, in my opinion, one of the neatest things Amtrak has ever done.
The high position is also unique. The only other time I've seen this was on a Santa Fe Hi-Level coach for an equipment special on the San Francisco Chief. I'll try and find that photo and post it.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Today (10/28/08) I had a dentist appointment in Carpinteria (Look, Mom, no cavities!) and finished just in time to go to "The Spot" (just south of the tracks on Linden) for a great burger and fries with a side of Ranch Dressing. I called Julie and decided to wait to see #14 go through about 10 minutes late. I'm happy to report that it did, indeed, have a Parlour Car!
Frank in Sunny SBA
Posted by rresor (Member # 128) on :
Well, I don't know whether all the carping about the "relaunched" Starlight is justified, but I just had a wonderful ride on detouring #11 (8). My sleeper was a refurbished Superliner with dark blue upholstery and curtains and nice "Coast Starlight" antimaccasars on the seats. The PPC was very much in evidence, nicely refurbished, very attractive and comfortable. The diner was also recently redone in the same dark blue scheme.
The PPC was serving a limited menu, the diner a full one. They no longer clear the PPC before the wine tasting, but yes, you do have to pay $5, but it's a nice selection of wines with excellent cheeses.
The crew was polite and helpful to a fault. An Amtrak customer service manager was on board. The whole operation was so professional and pleasant that I came away thinking there may actually be hope for Amtrak.
The trip down the valley and over Tehachapi was awesome. UP cleared the railroad for us. And #14 had a PPC too.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
I am on-board #11 right now, typing this message from Parlour Car #39975. We just passed Monolith and we met #14 at The Loop about a half hour ago.
This trip has been great---many improvements!
Members of Trainorders can read my update report from a post on the Passenger Trains board from yesterday morning.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Also...Amtrak only has 2 Coast Starlight drumheads. Long story on what happened with the others. Ugh!
I saw a drumhead last night on #14 up in Oregon, but the train I am on right now does not have one.
Posted by Southwest Chief (Member # 1227) on :
quote:Originally posted by smitty195: Also...Amtrak only has 2 Coast Starlight drumheads. Long story on what happened with the others. Ugh!
I'm up for a long story.
Does it have something to do with the special clips that are needed? Sort of a stupid idea if you ask me. They could have rigged something up on the drumhead itself that would work on all Superliners.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Well.....it has to do with the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing at Amtrak. So what else is new?
They also do not have a policy or established pattern of how to handle the drumheads. In other words, when the train gets back to Los Angeles, it's sort of a thing where they go, "So what do we do with this thingey?". They don't want it to go out on the Sunset Limited, Southwest Chief, etc....but more importantly, they don't want it to end up on an Amtrak employee's living room wall.
Hard to believe (well, not really) that they can't figure something out. Geez---pay me a "consulting fee" of $150,000 and I'll be happy to write a memo stating the new policy.
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