Midwest Venture introduction

[PerRock]

Sure looks like it. The grab-handle placement on the inside of the seats is the clue.

But looks like the same seats as coach.

 

[jis]

You may find the information in this article rather helpful I think:

First look: Siemens Venture coaches debut for Amtrak (updated) - Trains

CHICAGO — “Give yourself a big round of applause,” conductor Erik Newsom enthusiastically announced over the public address system of Amtrak train No. 303 as it left Chicago for St. Louis on Tuesday morning. “You’re the very first to ride Amtrak’s new Midwest cars!” Clapping followed, but that...

www.trains.com

Specifically about seats:

In a response to an additional inquiry, Illinois DOT’s Bastian tells Trains News Wire that the seat-cushion width in the new Venture coaches is 19.1 inches. This compares with an armrest-to-armrest 19-inch width in Brightline Siemens coaches and an average of 21 inches for Amtrak’s Horizon and Amfleet 1 seats, a Talgo Series 8 coach, as well as Brightline’s “select” (business class) seating. She says the new Amtrak Midwest cars’ business-class seat cushions are 26 inches wide. When those cars are delivered, their 2-1 seats will double the capacity in that class from 18 for to 36 passengers.

However, cushions are a bit wider than armrest-to-armrest measures, depending upon the way a seat is constructed, so the Venture coach’s armrest-to-armrest measurement is marginally narrower. Armrests on the new cars do fold up, and Bastian says the seating configuration allows an aisle width of 35 inches through the car, reduced to 32 inches in the wide passageway between cars.

 

[Cal]

These are all on the Chicago-Quincy run. I guess they now have a food service car now too. I don't really know how to do the rail cams. Are there any shots of the Lincoln and Wolverine Service trains?

This railcam is on Virtual Railfans Youtube page. Just go to the video and it’ll show live feed of the station. You can rewind up to 12 hours.

 

[joelkfla]

Is that 2+1 seating? Hard to tell from the picture.

I'm seeing single seats on the side nearer the camera. Also looks like extra space between the 2 seats on the far side.

 

[Mailliw]

It won't be long before someone does a YouTube video of the interior.

 

[Cal]

Anyone have any videos or pictures of the interior??

 

[Crowbar_k]

And I'm assuming the Hiawatha is waiting for cab cars.

So I'm guessing checked baggage service on the Hiawatha is going to end.

 

[Steve4031]

I found the St. Louis railfan camera and 302 left with two venture cars on the head end followed by horizon cars and an Amfleet on the rear.

 

[Bob Dylan]

I found the St. Louis railfan camera and 302 left with two venture cars on the head end followed by horizon cars and an Amfleet on the rear.

Almost like the "Rainbow" Days in 1971!!!

 

[Cal]

I still can’t find any videos of the business class ventures. Seemingly nobody has noticed their arrival.

 

[Trogdor]

I understand from various sources / photos that the Ventures have now gone into service on the Hiawatha. Naturally, it happens when I’m out of the country so I won’t be able to see them for another week.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Train #352 was reported, on FB, to have the new business class car yesterday. Was seen by the poster, not ridden by him/her.

 

[Eric S]

I understand from various sources / photos that the Ventures have now gone into service on the Hiawatha. Naturally, it happens when I’m out of the country so I won’t be able to see them for another week.

Shoot. Right after I had the occasion to ride on April 5 and 6, when it was still a mix of Amfleet and Horizon.

 

[joelkfla]

I still can’t find any videos of the business class ventures. Seemingly nobody has noticed their arrival.

Seems like most rail vloggers stockpile their trips and post them weeks or months after.

 

[Crowbar_k]

So, what's the current business class setup, considering that the cafe cars aren't in service yet? Is the business class section of the cafe car just not being used if there's a ventre business class?

 

[Crowbar_k]

All Ventures. Looks pretty sweet. And honestly, the livery on the F40ph matches pretty well with the Ventures.

 

[Crowbar_k]

I also found this. If anyone was wondering what a Siemens only train looks like, here is the answer.

 

[Crowbar_k]

I still can’t find any videos of the business class ventures. Seemingly nobody has noticed their arrival.

All that I can find so far is this. You can clearly see the words "business class" on the door, but still no videos of the interior.

 

[PerRock]

I saw a picture somewhere of the interior recently... but now can't find it.

The seats looks identical to the coach seats... maybe a bit wider. The arrangement was 2-1 that switched sides halfway down the car (single seat on the LH side for half the car, then the single seat on the RH side). There may have been a row or two of 2-2 seating with tables in the middle... since I can't find the photo anymore, I can't verify my memory.

peter

 

[Crowbar_k]

I saw a picture somewhere of the interior recently... but now can't find it.

The seats looks identical to the coach seats... maybe a bit wider. The arrangement was 2-1 that switched sides halfway down the car (single seat on the LH side for half the car, then the single seat on the RH side). There may have been a row or two of 2-2 seating with tables in the middle... since I can't find the photo anymore, I can't verify my memory.

peter

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the new business class cars split into to two sections? A coach section and a business class section.

 

[PerRock]

I saw a picture somewhere of the interior recently... but now can't find it.

The seats looks identical to the coach seats... maybe a bit wider. The arrangement was 2-1 that switched sides halfway down the car (single seat on the LH side for half the car, then the single seat on the RH side). There may have been a row or two of 2-2 seating with tables in the middle... since I can't find the photo anymore, I can't verify my memory.

peter

Found it; Picture was taken by Brian Yueue on the Amtrak Modelers Facebook Group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AmtrakModelers/permalink/2824490264351175/

Looking at it, Crowbar_k is correct (I had forgotten) it's 2-2 Coach seating, then 2-1 Biz, the seats still look identical, just a bit wider. I'm also surprised that there isn't a divider between coach & biz.

 

[Crowbar_k]

Found it; Picture was taken by Brian Yueue on the Amtrak Modelers Facebook Group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AmtrakModelers/permalink/2824490264351175/

Looking at it, Crowbar_k is correct (I had forgotten) it's 2-2 Coach seating, then 2-1 Biz, the seats still look identical, just a bit wider. I'm also surprised that there isn't a divider between coach & biz.

View attachment 31987

Why isn't there a glass divider between the two? What's to stop some guy with a coach ticket from just sitting in the bigger chair, then switching to the coach seat once they see a conductor coming?

 

[Crowbar_k]

Also, I wouldn't call them identical. The business seats appear to be leather. The cushion could be more comfortable, but we won't know until we get a review.

 

[Mailliw]

Isn't the coach seating supposed to be reserved for crew use?

 

[Cal]

Business looks underwhelming. Would be nice if they had a bigger armrest between seats and maybe better finishes. Also there should be a divider between coach and business