Amtrak FY22 Grant Request

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"With the Amfleet II refurbishment now complete, Superliner and Viewliner I interiors will receive new cushions and upholstery coverings, carpets, curtains, and light coverings and deep cleaning in coaches, sleeping cars and dining cars."

" Superliners. While Amtrak is developing plans for replacing Superliner equipment, acquisition of replacements is beyond the five-year scope of this plan."

"We need Congress to provide Amtrak with the tools necessary to enforce our statutory right to preference. "

I see these as some good signs.
 
On page 32 which notes the grants they wish for each project, along with other things, shows Superliner I and II overhauls. Does this mean they might be changed to match the interior of the VIIs or...
 
On page 32 which notes the grants they wish for each project, along with other things, shows Superliner I and II overhauls. Does this mean they might be changed to match the interior of the VIIs or...
Nope, this wouldnt work,not enough Headroom and No Windows in the Coffins!

I'd like to see some of the Sleepers be turned into All Bedroom Cars like the Auto Train has for the 2 Night LD Trains( more Revenue), and the Sightseer Lounges refurbished and remodeled since they plan on keeping them off three of the LD Trains( CONO,TE,CAP)when Daily Service Returns!
 
Nope, this wouldnt work,not enough Headroom and No Windows in the Coffins!

I'd like to see some of the Sleepers be turned into All Bedroom Cars like the Auto Train has for the 2 Night LD Trains( more Revenue), and the Sightseer Lounges refurbished and remodeled since they plan on keeping them off three of the LD Trains( CONO,TE,CAP)when Daily Service Returns!
I was talking about like the red seats, wood finishes, new doors, the new tray table, etc. Not the windows and sink.

I don't know how an all bedroom car would do on other LD trains, I think the current layout is fine. SSL's refurbished? YES
 
I was talking about like the red seats, wood finishes, new doors, the new tray table, etc. Not the windows and sink.

I don't know how an all bedroom car would do on other LD trains, I think the current layout is fine. SSL's refurbished? YES
I was suggesting that Amtrak look @ a Premium Service for its 2 Night LD Trains, similar to what VIA did on the Canadian.

Bedrooms would appeal more to those that could afford it than Roomettes.( but not for $10,000 like the Rocky Mountsineer or the Premium Service on the Canadian!)
 
I was suggesting that Amtrak look @ a Premium Service for its 2 Night LD Trains, similar to what VIA did on the Canadian.

Bedrooms would appeal more to those that could afford it than Roomettes.( but not for $10,000 like the Rocky Mountsineer or the Premium Service on the Canadian!)
Well they will have to do a LOT of work for that!
 
I hope that they replace the pull out table to a more sturdy one and putting more outlets inside the rooms. Does this mean that they might remove or change the upstairs sightseer lounge wet bar?
 
I hope that they replace the pull out table to a more sturdy one and putting more outlets inside the rooms. Does this mean that they might remove or change the upstairs sightseer lounge wet bar?
I want the interior to be the same as the VII's in terms of power plugs, lighting, tray table, and finishes!
 
I hope that they replace the pull out table to a more sturdy one and putting more outlets inside the rooms. Does this mean that they might remove or change the upstairs sightseer lounge wet bar?
You'll be lucky if your Train has a Sightseer Lounge!!( as of now the Texas Eagle,CONO and Cap Ltd. wont!🤬)
 
This Superliner refresh will be cosmetic but it will only be for the short term. A major rebuild might be on the horizon if the Superliners are found structurally fit.

Also, the whole idea for going with a modular design is the ability to swap out old modules for new ones when rebuild time comes. If the Superliners are found to be structurally sound Amtrak will "just" need to swap out modules to create a brand new passenger environment. Same with the Viewliner I. Mechanicals of course are a different story that will need to be addressed separately.

I would also love to see some more substantial changes to the Superliners like adding Sightseer upper dome windows to the bedrooms to make the space and upper bunks truly transformational. I also have a tread about putting two Accessible Bedrooms in the Sightseer Lounges (replacing lower lounge) to better satisfy ADA requirements (with waiver?) by allowing much better wheelchair access to the Diner and Lounge. This would also allow the Sightseer Lounges to generate additional room revenue and just about guarantees that every major LD train will retain them. Also it will generate additional room revenue since H rooms in present Superliner Sleepers can be converted into additional family rooms or large double bedrooms.

Just thinking outside the body shell I guess.
 
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Also, the whole idea for going with a modular design is the ability to swap out old modules for new ones when rebuild time comes. If the Superliners are found to be structurally sound Amtrak will "just" need to swap out modules to create a brand new passenger environment. Same with the Viewliner I. Mechanicals of course are a different story that will need to be addressed separately.
Whatever makes you imagine that the Superliners have a modular design like the Viewliners? 🤔
 
Which brings up an issue that has intrigued me. Has anyone ever really changed out a module in any of the Viewliners ever? Has it really proved to be easier to modfy the layout inside when compared to a normal tear down and rebuild? Or is it all theoretical so far?
 
Whatever makes you imagine that the Superliners have a modular design like the Viewliners? 🤔

I was lucky enough to visit the Bombardier facility in Vermont when the IIs were being built. I remember during the tour that the guide person mentioned that they came up with a way to bring the modules in through the ends of the car instead of through the plug door.

FYI: Amtrak Superliner I Remanufacture
 
I was lucky enough to visit the Bombardier facility in Vermont when the IIs were being built. I remember during the tour that the guide person mentioned that they came up with a way to bring the modules in through the ends of the car instead of through the plug door.

FYI: Amtrak Superliner I Remanufacture
All car interiors are assembled from modules of stuff. The question is how complete are the modules. Is the entire toilet a module or is it built from multiple modules in place. For the Super I toilet replacements the toilets were actually built in place from three modlues as I seem to recall, and they were not inserted through the end of the car but through the door.

How would they insert modules for the lower floor through the ends? There is no clear path from the ends to the lower floor.

I agree that it is good glossy that you point to but you do realize that most of it did not happen to Superliner Is. They just got a cosmetic refurbishment with faux wood paneling and all that. The electrical and plumbing (except for the at speed disposal system) was not touched. There may have been a more elaborate project planned. But it was not funded and it did not happen. We lived through it. ;) Somewhere in this AU site there is a long write-up by @AlanB about it, that I cannot find right now.
 
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I was talking about like the red seats, wood finishes, new doors, the new tray table, etc. Not the windows and sink.

I don't know how an all bedroom car would do on other LD trains, I think the current layout is fine. SSL's refurbished? YES
If Amtrak goes with a single-level LD fleet as expected then I think the next generation of sleepers should be a mixture of all Bedroom and all Roomette +ADA room cars. Unless of course by some miracle Amtrak decides to revive the Slumbercoach concept; that can replace roomettes.
 
In the grant request it also states that surfliner cars will be overhauled. I'm glad that they are planning this because those seats have stains and are starting to wear down. It will probably look like the new Venture car seats with more leg room, as shown below. b6mh7iufyig61.png
 
In the grant request it also states that surfliner cars will be overhauled. I'm glad that they are planning this because those seats have stains and are starting to wear down. It will probably look like the new Venture car seats with more leg room, as shown below. View attachment 22097
I would love a Surfliner overhaul! I love the look of the superliners and California cars, upgrading the interior is better than new cars for me.
 
This Superliner refresh will be cosmetic but it will only be for the short term. A major rebuild might be on the horizon if the Superliners are found structurally fit.

Also, the whole idea for going with a modular design is the ability to swap out old modules for new ones when rebuild time comes. If the Superliners are found to be structurally sound Amtrak will "just" need to swap out modules to create a brand new passenger environment. Same with the Viewliner I. Mechanicals of course are a different story that will need to be addressed separately.

I would also love to see some more substantial changes to the Superliners like adding Sightseer upper dome windows to the bedrooms to make the space and upper bunks truly transformational. I also have a tread about putting two Accessible Bedrooms in the Sightseer Lounges (replacing lower lounge) to better satisfy ADA requirements (with waiver?) by allowing much better wheelchair access to the Diner and Lounge. This would also allow the Sightseer Lounges to generate additional room revenue and just about guarantees that every major LD train will retain them. Also it will generate additional room revenue since H rooms in present Superliner Sleepers can be converted into additional family rooms or large double bedrooms.

Just thinking outside the body shell I guess.

I very much would like for this to be the case. I am a huge fan of the Superliners, and knowing that a completely new car design and construction of bilevels is likely prohibitively expensive to Amtrak, it would be great if they can make a complete overhaul work. But, I am skeptical this can and will happen. Realistically railcars can't last forever, though VIA seems to be making a good faith effort with their Budd cars!
 
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