Capitol Limited consist

The Covid-truncated Capitol Limited consist is only a single P42, 2 Sleepers, a CC Diner, and 2 Coaches. Has there been any word as to what the consist will be when it returns to a 7-day schedule? From pre-Covid times it has lost a second P42, Baggage Car, Sightseer Lounge, 1 Coach and sometimes 1 Sleeper. Something I find peculiar is that even without a Baggage Car, there has been no Baggage-Coach in the consist as far as I have observed.

choochoodood said:

Something I find peculiar is that even without a Baggage Car, there has been no Baggage-Coach in the consist as far as I have observed.

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So what does that tell you about the possible future of baggage service?

choochoodood said:

Something I find peculiar is that even without a Baggage Car, there has been no Baggage-Coach in the consist as far as I have observed.

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I don't know. When I saw the Capitol in Harpers Ferry on May 2, there was a Baggage-coach in the consist.

I'm on the Capitol next Friday to Washington. Will be interested in this experience. Hopefully I can get a window seat; otherwise I will be moribund given no Sightseer Lounge.

MARC Rider said:

I don't know. When I saw the Capitol in Harpers Ferry on May 2, there was a Baggage-coach in the consist.

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Also on several recent railcam views.

Yes! I finally saw a Coach-Baggage on a railcam tonight. Figures.....
I'll be riding on June 7, so hopefully the SSL will be back by then.

Westbound Capitol Limited 29 at Elkhart full consist today: tell me if I got this right:

1-3. Baggage + 2 full sleepers:


4. CCC:


5. Coach-bag:


6. Coach:


7-8. 2 more coaches:


Is that correct?

I wonder why it had so many coaches

I have seen it in South Bend several times recently as joelkfla described with
2 locomotives
Baggage
2 full sleepers
CCC
4 Coaches (have noticed the last coach appeared to be empty on several occasions)

zephyrstar said:

I have seen it in South Bend several times recently as joelkfla described with
2 locomotives
Baggage
2 full sleepers
CCC
4 Coaches (have noticed the last coach appeared to be empty on several occasions)

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I saw this consist also last week.

This morning’s (7/05) consist in Elkhart was 1 P42 (25), 1 baggage car, 2 full sleepers, 1 CCC, 1 coach, and 1 coach baggage.

Not it’s glory but more love than the Texas Eagle is getting.

If that same day's opposite train needed that extra coach then the other direction train needed to run empty to keep a balance of equipment. There is the possibility that the empty coach will be needed for the next day's train back as well.

Of course IMO it is foolish not to allow occupancy to lower coach fullness

I always wonder if they are simply moving cars, why not sell coach tickets for at least that run so that you can make some revenue instead of running it empty. Is running it empty a decision that is made only a few hours before departure?

zetharion said:

I always wonder if they are simply moving cars, why not sell coach tickets for at least that run so that you can make some revenue instead of running it empty. Is running it empty a decision that is made only a few hours before departure?

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That might require additional crew for one thing. Also if the car is being forwarded to be repaired for example then it might not be fit to be occupied.

This morning (July 8) at South Bend, the consist for 29 was:

2 P42's
Baggage
2 full sleepers
CCC
3 coaches

zephyrstar said:

This morning (July 8) at South Bend, the consist for 29 was:

2 P42's
Baggage
2 full sleepers
CCC
3 coaches

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More coach capacity than the Crescent. Crescent sold out almost evey day it runs.

west point said:

More coach capacity than the Crescent. Crescent sold out almost evey day it runs.

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Not like they could just take a Coach off the Capitol and stick it on the Crescent

Why bring up Crescent on a thread that is about the consist of the Capitol Limited?