Capitol Limited consist recovery?

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revdrstipp

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Anyone know if the Capitol Limited consist back to normal with the SSL car?
 
We were on EB Capital Limited on 2/22/15, as well as the westbound CL 2/14/15. And I was on westbound 2/2/15 - each case was the Cafe/lounge.

They save fuel - just 5 cars...

One engine (not two)

No baggage car (SL Coach baggage in use)

No transdorm

2 sleepers

Cafe/Lounge (CCC)

2 coach cars (at least one baggage coach)

The CCC will remain permanently (as we were told by the conductor), but the SSL will return soon. I actually like the CCC and I think it's a better train with the CCC (and SSL), since it will allow an area for big groups to play cards or board games, etc... Two of the 4 booths are very large - maybe 6 or 7 people can fit comfortably. We had ten in our group - and we used one big booth, and the smaller one that is on the opposite side, and we had plenty of room.

So once the Sightseer lounge returns, we will have the entire SSL (upper & lower area), plus four rather large booths in the CCC (Lounge side), and the cafe-lounge attendant will remain at the bar in the CCC cafe area.

The diner will use just the other side of the CCC, so there will actually be more seating for lounge and sightseeing, and a bit less seating for the Diner side. But I'm not sure if they really need the entire normal sized diner on the Capital Limited. Our Februarat=y trains were fine with two diner attendants and the 10 or 12 tables (I did not count). No real space problems...
 
abcnews said:
We were on EB Capital Limited on 2/22/15, as well as the westbound CL 2/14/15. And I was on westbound 2/2/15 - each case was the Cafe/lounge.

They save fuel - just 5 cars...

One engine (not two)

No baggage car (SL Coach baggage in use)

No transdorm

2 sleepers

Cafe/Lounge (CCC)

2 coach cars (at least one baggage coach)

The CCC will remain permanently (as we were told by the conductor), but the SSL will return soon. I actually like the CCC and I think it's a better train with the CCC (and SSL), since it will allow an area for big groups to play cards or board games, etc... Two of the 4 booths are very large - maybe 6 or 7 people can fit comfortably. We had ten in our group - and we used one big booth, and the smaller one that is on the opposite side, and we had plenty of room.

So once the Sightseer lounge returns, we will have the entire SSL (upper & lower area), plus four rather large booths in the CCC (Lounge side), and the cafe-lounge attendant will remain at the bar in the CCC cafe area.

The diner will use just the other side of the CCC, so there will actually be more seating for lounge and sightseeing, and a bit less seating for the Diner side. But I'm not sure if they really need the entire normal sized diner on the Capital Limited. Our Februarat=y trains were fine with two diner attendants and the 10 or 12 tables (I did not count). No real space problems...
Click to expand...
That is not how they usually use it when there is a Sightseer Lounge. The cafe is opened in the Sightseer Lounge and the CCC is used as a regular dining car is used.
 
Hmm...

Idle thought, but I wonder if making the lounge area of a CCC something like a First Class Only lounge after the SSL comes back is possible? Not anything close to being a PPC, but it would be a very easy and nearly zero cost thing to implement, especially since OBS is already assigned to the car.
 
We actually liked it (the CCC lounge area). And in the winter - it gets dark so early on the westbound CL, that it actually made for a cozy place to hang out before our 7 PM dinner reservation - after the sun had set. I was with my family, and we had a board game on one table, and a card game going on the table across from it.

But with no SSL - there were not enough tables for everyone. People would come in, and not have a spot to sit. So we did not stay too long.
 
My hometrain, the Texas Eagle, uses a CCC for its Diner. Since the " mafia" seats were removed, it works fine for this train as a Diner!

Since there is usually a Sightseer Lounge in the consist also, the Lounge side of the CCC is not manned by an LSA and serves as a hangout for the Conductors and the OBS.

When the Sightseer Lounge is not in the consist, a second CCC is often substituted, and from experience I have to say it sucks as a Lounge Car in comparison! When the PPC is bad ordered on the CS, it's even worse!

Also,for a couple of years, the CONO ran with a CCC as a Combo Diner/Lounge and it was no better than the sorry Diner Lite on the Cardinal! ( the CCC Diner side works fine, but as a Lounge it sucks!)

One frequent riders opinion, YMMV!/
 
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I thought the "winter consists" would run through Feb. 28. So, trains 29 and 30 leaving Chicago and D.C. on March 1 will tell the tale.
 
jimhudson said:
My hometrain, the Texas Eagle, uses a CCC for its Diner.

Since there is usually a Sightseer Lounge in the consist also, the Lounge side of the CCC is not manned by an LSA and serves as a hangout for the Conductors and the OBS.
Click to expand...
I was about to agree with both points based on my experience on the CoNO.

Also, why would Amtrak move the cafe from the SSL to the CCC (D-L), much less operate a second cafe?
 
We ride the CL often and it is true that once the SSL is returned, the cafe end of the CCC car will revert to the office of conductor and LSA, unless the train is crowded. We have had some meals served on the cafe end but many times they only use a few seats there or for lunch if coach passengers want to eat in the diner.
 
Thirdrail7 said:
What is a "mafia" seat?
Click to expand...
When the Full Superliner Diners were remodeled into CCCs there were 3 Person Horseshoe shaped Booths with the middle seat facing the aisle so you couldn't see out the window!( Mafia guys supposedly never set with their back to the door,hence the name "Mafia" seat)
Most passengers didn't care for them, they have been replaced by regular 4 person booths.
 
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I rode the CL last August (2014); was my first LD train trip. I was in coach, but enjoyed dinner in the diner--half of which was empty. Would I be right that it may not have been the traditional diner, but the new CCC, so is that what is going to be in the new consist, consistently?
 
Today out of Chicago it has 2 P42's and the SSL. Still no baggage car. I think it also has the dorm back.

Stan
 
I counted 7 cars when it went past Chesterton.

Dorm

2 sleepers

1 CCC or Diner

1 CCC or SSL (couldn't tell for sure)

2 coaches
 
Eastbound CL that departed Chicago on 2/28 had one locomotive and 5 cars. The next day's departure had 2 locos and 7 cars. So I conclude that the lounge car has returned.
 
Number 29 ,out of WAS on 3/2, passed Chesterton IN today (3/3) with one P42 and only 5 cars, even though an expanded consist was reported on 3/1 in a previous post. Maybe the March consists will be like March temperatures, up one day, down the next.
 
Hey, maybe it will be one of the new Baggage Cars everyone is talking about!
 
I've been wondering the same thing about the return of the baggage car. It will be interesting to see if this is just a temporary thing or the new norm. I know the Texas Eagle has been running with one as of late. I'm hoping the full consist returns.
 
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