GlobalistPotato
Lead Service Attendant
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2011
- Messages
- 344
I'm pretty sure that the Cardinal won't be able to go up to daily status until Amtrak can get their full Viewliner II order.
But considering budget cuts, it also might be the one route Amtrak would be most likely to cut, due to the tri-weekly frequency, limited equipment, its redundant, circuitous route between CHI and NYP, and some other factors.
But between these two extremes, what can Amtrak do?
This is what I think:
First off, add another sleeper or two to the consist, as the Cardinal only has one sleeper right now and it gets filled up quickly.
Because of the scenery along the route, Amtrak could upgrade the food service to a full diner and market the train as a "land cruise", or something like that. Or at least as a scenic route.
If the cardinal gets canceled, then Amtrak should make the Hoosier State run daily and make it have a more convenient schedule (like leaving Indy at 7:00 am instead of 6:00).
On the other end, a daily train could be run from Charleston, WV to WAS and points beyond, possibly under the "Northeast Regional" brand.
In addition, I'd also recommend a daily train between Cincinnati and Chicago, serving Ohio at a more convenient time than in the middle of the night.
Sure, I can see the Cardinal going daily and being expanded, but I fear that isn't likely right now.
But considering budget cuts, it also might be the one route Amtrak would be most likely to cut, due to the tri-weekly frequency, limited equipment, its redundant, circuitous route between CHI and NYP, and some other factors.
But between these two extremes, what can Amtrak do?
This is what I think:
First off, add another sleeper or two to the consist, as the Cardinal only has one sleeper right now and it gets filled up quickly.
Because of the scenery along the route, Amtrak could upgrade the food service to a full diner and market the train as a "land cruise", or something like that. Or at least as a scenic route.
If the cardinal gets canceled, then Amtrak should make the Hoosier State run daily and make it have a more convenient schedule (like leaving Indy at 7:00 am instead of 6:00).
On the other end, a daily train could be run from Charleston, WV to WAS and points beyond, possibly under the "Northeast Regional" brand.
In addition, I'd also recommend a daily train between Cincinnati and Chicago, serving Ohio at a more convenient time than in the middle of the night.
Sure, I can see the Cardinal going daily and being expanded, but I fear that isn't likely right now.