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My best friend was aboard train 29(13). He and his wife awoke at about 6:30am to find the train at Sandusky, OH with fire trucks pulling up. A fire had broken out in the dining car (one of those odd Cross Country Cafe cars). Apparently it was an electrical fire based on scanner chatter. After much discussion, the train was run dark (no HEP) to Toledo whereupon the diner was moved to the rear of the train. About 3 hours were consumed at Toledo as the HEP would not restart without much consultation with Operations...hence 3 or 4 hours of no power. Breakfast consisted of an egg McMuffin from Mickey D's. Sounds like another case of Amtrak ineptitude. These are cases where Amtrak should be proactive with vouchers or some other perk rather than waiting for those who bother to complain. The Lake Shore was thus delayed and ran on 29's markers from Toledo to CHI.
palmland Member # 4344
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Perhaps some good can come from this. Maybe they will put the Cross Country Cafe into the shop and bring it back as a full diner.
SilverStar092 Member # 2652
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Great point, Palmland. I'm hoping that this results in a regular diner on the Capitol when we travel next month. With one Cross Country Cafe out of service, we may luck out.
Railroad Bill Member # 5097
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Yes, we are leaving next Sunday on the Capitol. Hope they have put in a full diner on the train. Those CCCs arent too bad on the CONO since there is a smaller crowd to serve, but on a major train like the CL, it is not very efficient at times. Railroad Bill
Printman2000 Member # 4338
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They have plenty more CCC's. Way more than they are using. Don't count on a regular dining car anytime soon.
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