Does Amtrak add cars?

[JermyZP]

Does amtrak add cars on trains that are almost sold out to expand capacity? I know that they add cars during summer for peak season but are there exceptions?

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

Not really.

 

[Cal]

During the Del Mar races the Pacific Surfliner trains will have extra cars, sometimes running with 10 cars I believe (usual is 6). The trains also become reserved during those times.

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

That a planned surge for a event.
Also a state service.

Events such as The New York State Fair in Syracuse the three local train will actually stop at the fair grounds. This is a stop that is only used during this Fair.

 

[west point]

Enroute drop / add cars only normally during high traffic are SW chief Kansas city: SF Z Denver occasionally Reno; Empire builder MSP. Palmetto has had extra coaches NYP <> WASH. Note Dead head equipment often on cardinal = IND - CHI
Places where cars should be drop / Added are Night owl = sleeper WASH. Crescent - ATL coaches and sleepers. City New Orleans during Mardi = Coaches MEM - NOL.

 

[PaulM]

A few years ago there was a big media splash about how Amtrak had gone to flexible consists. Even the Illinois Zephyr ran with a variable number of coaches. But that seems to be ancient history.

 

[jiml]

Even if they wanted to, is there equipment (and more recently, staff) available to do so?

 

[me_little_me]

Even if they wanted to, is there equipment (and more recently, staff) available to do so?

More importantly, is there willingness at the top to change from the concept of cutting service to save expenses to expanding service (and adding cars is the least expensive way to doing that) to generate more income.

 

[west point]

As of today there is limited equipment to add cars to end to end trains or drop and add. When the Siemens cars are certified then that will enable more. However the staffing problem will persist to sometime in the future. Note all of the sudden hiring posted this week. Any prediction is a wild a-- guess but it may by May 2022 staff will be enough to operate all serviceable equipment ?

The openings posted for Chefs in Chicago and Seattle are one interesting openings.

 

[PerRock]

Does amtrak add cars on trains that are almost sold out to expand capacity? I know that they add cars during summer for peak season but are there exceptions?

Not directly. They will add or remove cars based off from forecasted ridership amounts. But don't add cars if the train is actually filling up.

peter