Amtrak's Keystone and Metroliner Trains.

[Amtrak Railfan]

Hello there I want to know how many Passager cars does the Keystone Service Trains have?

 

[AlanB]

It varies based upon time of day, weekend vs. weekday. Some run with only 3 cars others run with as many as 6 or 7 cars. There is no set, regular number of cars for Keystone trains.

 

[Amtrak Railfan]

Does the Metroliner Trains have lots of Passagers on the train during the Morning and Afternoon Peak Hours?

 

[Anthony]

Does the Metroliner Trains have lots of Passagers on the train during the Morning and Afternoon Peak Hours?

um, probably?

 

[P40Power]

Well that is why they are called "peak" hours, thats when the trains usually have maximum ridership during the day.

 

[AlanB]

During peak hours yes, during off peak no they are usually not full. The same is true for the Acela's also.

 

[Amtrak Railfan]

Is the Keystone Service Trains have at this time the P42s?

 

[P40Power]

Last I knew of they were still running P42s from 30th Street to Harrisburg

 

[battalion51]

Most likely the NEC variety of the P42 (101-111). As an FYI, the 108 has been reported as having had its makeover in Beech Grove, along with the "upgrade" to Phase Vb.

 

[Amtrak Railfan]

Why the Keystone Service Trains do not have Food Service Car on the Train?

 

[P40Power]

My guess is that because they are state funded trains that the funding does not include enough to operate a cafe service, not that it is needed too badly, most keystone trips are rather short.

 

[AlanB]

Actually I think that part of the problem is lack of cafe cars. Additionally I seem to recall reading somewhere that the Pennsy never ran those trains with cafe cars, so Amtrak just continued that practice.

I don't however think that it's related to funding issues. I don't think that the State of Pennsylvania contributes to the service. They have been providing funds to help upgrade the corridor from Philly to Harrisburg. Additionally I think that the state helps to fund the Pennsylvanian, but beyond that I believe that Amtrak pays for the Keystone service.

 

[PRR 60]

Operating subsidy for the Keystone Service is provided by Pennsylvania in addition to the grants for capital improvements on the Harrisburg line.

The Pennsylvanian was state supported train in prior incarnation. Either at or sometime before it was extended to Chicago and run as a freight train, PA 403,b support ended. As far as I know, the Pennsylvanian is still an Amtrak funded train.

 

[Amtrak Railfan]

Does sometimes the Keystone Service Trains have one P42 in front and one P42 in the back on the Train?