If many trains are currently selling out (when their consist are at their normal length), then maybe.Based on that ratio, does Amtrak really need 12-14 car trains?
If many trains are currently selling out (when their consist are at their normal length), then maybe.Based on that ratio, does Amtrak really need 12-14 car trains?
And I do hope that they consider long-term ridership. As climate change becomes more prevalent, and calls for more sustainable transit increases, Amtrak may find itself needing more trains. These cars may have to last a while, so hopefully they're prepared for a growing demandThat’s the theory I’m working on. Trains are selling out in February/March at their current lengths. Summer trains are already reaching high levels. I think vastly more capacity is needed, and if they close a coach during the low season, it’s there if they need it. Sleepers go like hotcakes and frankly it might not be so bad if prices per unit slid a bit, maybe a big bit so I can afford one sometime.
I think a new-built dome car could be made accessible with a lift to the upper level: either a vertical lift, with a gate on one end to the vestibule level, and on the opposite end to the upper level (with some space for wheelchair maneuvering), or a folding inclined lift on a staiway. The 2 or 3 steps from the vestibule level to the lower level under the dome could easily be replaced by a ramp.Dome cars might run afoul of ADA requirements since they'd only be partially accessible. Also the clearance issue would keep them out of the Northeast, but that's not that big a deal.
He’s right. And no matter if mono, bi or multiple levels. The LD set will have to have a lift anyway.I think a new-built dome car could be made accessible with a lift to the upper level: either a vertical lift, with a gate on one end to the vestibule level, and on the opposite end to the upper level (with some space for wheelchair maneuvering), or a folding inclined lift on a staiway. The 2 or 3 steps from the vestibule level to the lower level under the dome could easily be replaced by a ramp.
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If the wheelchair access can be worked out, all the past experience indicates that the public likes domes. In the Portland<>Seattle pool the customers drove NP and GN people to despair, wondering why they couldn't have domes on their trains like the UP. In Portland Union Station the UP Domeliners were spotted with a dome across the High Shed (On Track 11?) so that they were framed by other lesser trains.A mixed level is an interesting idea, I wonder about the engineering on such. I mean you’re gonna have transition between coaches low deck coaches are clearly going to low to do so will a high deck meet a single deck?
Presumably these would be made by the same company throughout the consist, si I imagine they could find a way.
In the past they did single level with Dome cars for sleepers, lounge and dinner. It might be ironic if the next Generation of American long distance train rolling stock ended up looking like a 1950s streamlined coaches.
Just for fun how about thinking about alternative bedroom configurations?
No problem with single level cars, they could just install windows in the lounge cars similar to the Superliner Sightseer Lounge, there just wouldn't be the lower level. Or they could have the sort of panorama cars used by the Swiss railways, which could also be used for at least some of the coaches.Dome cars might run afoul of ADA requirements since they'd only be partially accessible. Also the clearance issue would keep them out of the Northeast, but that's not that big a deal.
It didn't serve Penn Station in New York. Perhaps the tunnel clearances at Grand Central, which it did serve, are different from those in Penn Station.I rode in a dome once on the Northeast Corridor and it was the best ride ever. Sat right behind the engineer:
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While I do like your design (in general).
The size of the room, just seem a bit off.
Of course the lack of space for a overnight bag can be adjusted by rising the chairs and the bed, so you can place the luggage under the beds.
Nightjet is use the front to back beds set up, but generally not a queen size.
I do like, and appreciate your idea. Just not sure if there actually space to do so.
Of course it ran to Penn Station. It also offered across-the-platform transfers to waiting Metroliners.It didn't serve Penn Station in New York. Perhaps the tunnel clearances at Grand Central, which it did serve, are different from those in Penn Station.
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