While I doubt this will ever come to fruition, this is what I would like to see in the NY - Chicago corridor.
Currently I believe Amtrak has a lot of potential in this market and I would like to see the following:
WB
Keep the LSL as is with the possible change of finding some way to run an open cafe car all the way from NY - Chicago instead of the current situation in ABY. Maybe even go back to a connecting train in ABY for Boston and do away w/the Boston sleeper.
Run a second NYP - Chicago train via Pittsburg and Cleveland. This train would leave NYP around 8 PM, get into Cleveland around 8 AM the following morning and provide day time service between Cleveland and Chicago. Arrival in Chicago would be around 2 PM. This train would have 1 - 2 sleepers, coaches, and no diner...only a cafe car. Sleeping car fares would be slightly lower since meals would not be included.
EB
Have the LSL leave around 5 PM gettting into NYP at a more civilized 2 PM the next day. Keep the diner open until ABY and again look at running a cafe car into NYP instead of Boston.
Run a second Chicago - NYP train via Cleveland and Pittsburg. This train would be the "clean-up" train out of Chicago, leaving at 8 - 8:30 PM w/arrival in Pittsburg 8 AM the following morning and then arrival at NYP around 3 - 4 PM. The Pennsylvanian could possibly leave later in the morning.
The LSL would remain the premier train between Chicago and NYP, but by leaving earlier from Chicago and arriving earlier in NY, it could possibly capture increased business between these two cities.
Equipment could come from several sources:
The second NY-Chicago train could use the new Viewliner sleepers. Coaches could possibly be rebuilt horizon cars once the new bilevels begin service around Chicago.
Also, maybe look at making the Cardinal a daily, daytime, Washington-Cinc train. This would also free up a sleeper or two.
I know the above scenario was what was basically running before the Three Rivers was axed, but I believe as Amtrak as become more popular, 2 direct NY - Chicago trains w/better times make sense...especially EB. I know the 2 new trains would be considered "long-distance" but by not having a diner on the later train, the cost part of the equation could be more favorable.
The chances of this happening are probably slim to none, but one can always hope.
Currently I believe Amtrak has a lot of potential in this market and I would like to see the following:
WB
Keep the LSL as is with the possible change of finding some way to run an open cafe car all the way from NY - Chicago instead of the current situation in ABY. Maybe even go back to a connecting train in ABY for Boston and do away w/the Boston sleeper.
Run a second NYP - Chicago train via Pittsburg and Cleveland. This train would leave NYP around 8 PM, get into Cleveland around 8 AM the following morning and provide day time service between Cleveland and Chicago. Arrival in Chicago would be around 2 PM. This train would have 1 - 2 sleepers, coaches, and no diner...only a cafe car. Sleeping car fares would be slightly lower since meals would not be included.
EB
Have the LSL leave around 5 PM gettting into NYP at a more civilized 2 PM the next day. Keep the diner open until ABY and again look at running a cafe car into NYP instead of Boston.
Run a second Chicago - NYP train via Cleveland and Pittsburg. This train would be the "clean-up" train out of Chicago, leaving at 8 - 8:30 PM w/arrival in Pittsburg 8 AM the following morning and then arrival at NYP around 3 - 4 PM. The Pennsylvanian could possibly leave later in the morning.
The LSL would remain the premier train between Chicago and NYP, but by leaving earlier from Chicago and arriving earlier in NY, it could possibly capture increased business between these two cities.
Equipment could come from several sources:
The second NY-Chicago train could use the new Viewliner sleepers. Coaches could possibly be rebuilt horizon cars once the new bilevels begin service around Chicago.
Also, maybe look at making the Cardinal a daily, daytime, Washington-Cinc train. This would also free up a sleeper or two.
I know the above scenario was what was basically running before the Three Rivers was axed, but I believe as Amtrak as become more popular, 2 direct NY - Chicago trains w/better times make sense...especially EB. I know the 2 new trains would be considered "long-distance" but by not having a diner on the later train, the cost part of the equation could be more favorable.
The chances of this happening are probably slim to none, but one can always hope.