Amfleet said:
After reading various trip reports, it seems the Lake Shore Limited gets what ever is left over from the pool. It left me without sleeper, others withou a corridor coach, no diner on a few trains. I seriously hope the Cardinal will return to Superliner soo because the strain on the single-level LD fleet is really bad.
I agree, its important that we do our best to return the Cardinal to Superliner, it has indeed screwed up the Single Level trains. Whats most important is returning the
Silver Palm and having the other cars for resources.
Also, once Gunn gets us on a stable footing (equipment-wise, enough left to "loosen the belt" and with funding), I hope he will make an attempt at getting more Single Level LD Cars (Viewliners, but build by a builder whos quality is equal to the mechanically succsesful Talgo train, as the car is a good concept, just the current 50 aren't of the best quality. Beginning with Sleepers, so a train doesn't have to lose all of its sleepers in the event of another Superliner shortage, which we won't have with Gunn and now that we have Beech Grove making repairs. Next we can go on to Diners, BD's, Coaches (No second row window due to luggage racks, some coach-smokers so the lounges don't have to waste capacity), Lounges (maybe even order enough to allow an Extra one for FC Passengers on select routes), and Deluxe's for the Silver Service, one of the if not the most important routes for Amtrak as it does offer 3 daily trains.) I know I'm dreaming, but at least its somewhat sensible, after all the Heritage fleet can't last forever (actually, they probably could, after all Budd (and some are P-S) Built them).
I plan to write a letter of Praise/Thanks, and questions to David Gunn this summer, once I have the time. One thing I will ask is what his plans are as far as new equipment, once he can get repairs made, and the funding for the new cars.