A few comments on previous items in this thread:
Be sure to call Amtrak "Satisfaction Guarantee" so you can get back your accomadation charge.
I have heard unofficially that the Gunn Administration wants to do away with the Satisfaction Guarantee initiated by his predecessor. Whether this has yet taken place, or whether they still have to honor the guarantee as long as it appears on printed Amtrak media is not known.
I rode business class back from the bears game in Champaign, IL to Chicago on Sept. 8.
Are you sure this was 391/392, and not the special train? Amtrak equipment was used for a special train that is operating between Chicago Union Station, Homewood, and Champaign for all Bears home games.
Has there ever been a car more uncomfortable over a 6 hour train trip than the Horizon? Or a 2 hour train trip for that matter?
Agreed here, the Horizon coach is a glorified commuter coach, which to me is a step down in comfort from unrefurbished Amfleet I coaches (no offense, Amfleet!). The Horizon is the workhorse of the midwest trains, but sometimes at least a Horizon dinette and/or coach ends up on the Pennsylvanian, Three Rivers, or even the Carolinian.
I still think that the Midwest needs to follow the Pacific Northwest's lead and aquire some Talgos for demonstration and eventual regular service.
Talgo is one technology that
is being considered for the Midwest High Speed Rail Initiative. The latest Talgo's out are called Bayliners (supposedly they are a more advanced model than the ones used in the Pacific Northwest).
NJ Transit would use mini bi-level cars which they are planning to buy to fit on the NEC, powered by ALP-46's
True, although single-level cars may also be used on this line as well once NJ TRANSIT takes over the service. The extended service to Philadelphia, as perceived by NJ TRANSIT's passengers, is a "new" service, even though it has existed under Amtrak for years. Having the newest equipment go to the "newest" service would not sit well with existing passengers, particularly on the New York-Trenton portion of the NEC, and other overcrowded lines like the North Jersey Coast Line and Midtown Direct. Think of those who have to ride in the vestibules every morning and evening, or worse, between the cars in the diaphragm, holding on for dear life, being promised new equipment only to see it go to the former Clockers.