Philly Amtrak Fan
Engineer
The CL goes through West Virginia. The BL didn't. The CL got preferential treatment. Coincidence? I think not. To a lesser degree, Byrd Crap.
Passenger Miles Per Train Mile Metric
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Philly Amtrak Fan
Engineer
These are my calculations based on NARP's 2016 statistics. See notes in file.
As said before, these are not dependent on ridership because the longer distance the more potential passengers and passenger miles but more train miles.
Of the non Auto Train LD trains whose PM/TM was over 180, three are Eastern (SM, LSL, CL) and two are Western (CS, SWC).
I also listed miles per passenger for each LD train.
If you see any errors, please let me know.
I am totally shocked who is on the bottom!
Passenger Miles Per Train Mile 2016.pdf
As said before, these are not dependent on ridership because the longer distance the more potential passengers and passenger miles but more train miles.
Of the non Auto Train LD trains whose PM/TM was over 180, three are Eastern (SM, LSL, CL) and two are Western (CS, SWC).
I also listed miles per passenger for each LD train.
If you see any errors, please let me know.
I am totally shocked who is on the bottom!
Passenger Miles Per Train Mile 2016.pdf
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ehbowen
Engineer
I note that the Cardinal and the Sunset Limited (east of San Antonio) regularly operate with significantly shorter consists (hence less potential capacity) than most other long-distance Amtrak trains.
Philly Amtrak Fan
Engineer
Why do these specific trains have shorter consists/fewer cars? Could it be because demand is low? Amtrak doesn't have enough cars to satisfy all of its demand. It's obvious more popular trains are going to get more cars but then the question becomes how much more. If we have an extra sleeper car, which would be more likely to fill, a fourth LSL sleeper or a second Cardinal sleeper?
ehbowen
Engineer
I would venture the opinion that a 3-day-a-week train is not a realistic transportation option in the minds of most normal people. As long as you have at least one-a-day, even if that "one" is at 4 in the morning, you can be aware of it and plan around it. But when you have to go from there to asking, "Does it run today at all? No? Then, when...Tuesday?" I would say that your train's general utility has dropped by a factor of at least ten.
west point
Engineer
This is pure speculation but the lengths of consists may be revenue driven. If my Amfleet can carry 60 people WASH <> NYP at $100.00 per passenger. That is $6,000 for a four hour trip. Same Amfleet on Crescent may take 12 hours 6 WASH <> ATL to get $6,000 ? ~678 miles. Now if Amtrak is equipment short then the WASH <> NYP would appear better since it could make a return trip in less than 10 hours.
The Meteor is reported to have the highest sleeper revenue per mile so that may be why it is first to get an extra sleeper ?
WoodyinNYC
Conductor
jis
Permanent Way Inspector
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Engage brain for a moment and figure out what it could be a typo for
If you can't figure it out, probably it doesn't matter WoodyinNYC
Conductor
I've assumed from the first that you meant to type BL. What left me confused was "which remains unexplained to me." I thought, 'How can jis have never heard even plausible speculation as to why "they" tried mightily to kill the BL, so maybe he's talking about a whole different train.'Engage brain for a moment and figure out what it could be a typo for
Of course, it could be that in my early stage dementia, I'm more and more literal minded. Nowadays my brain just doesn't deal very well with gaps or anomalies in information.
So it probably doesn't matter.
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Philly Amtrak Fan
Engineer
CL vs. BL. One goes through West Virginia, one doesn't. Which one do you think Congress (Byrd) would favor?
Why exactly was the CL even started? The BL reasonably served WAS and also BAL to CHI since A-Day, why change it and take away the one seat ride between CHI and BAL? To save a couple of hours between CHI and WAS? Or to replace the Shenendoah?
Philly Amtrak Fan
Engineer
I forgot to include the mileage for business class in the Palmetto (probably because it isn't sleeper service) so the file is now updated. Woody thought he saw a typo which turned out not to be a typo but after checking I found this error so TY. Fun fact: The distance of the Coast Starlight and the Crescent are exactly the same (1,377 miles)!
Passenger Miles Per Train Mile 2016.pdf
Passenger Miles Per Train Mile 2016.pdf
west point
Engineer
Your point of Starlight and Crescent has merit. Of course 3 or 4 sleepers on Starlight makes some difference. + more coach space using Superliners. Crescent's lack of traffic south of Atlanta is another. Though Starlight has more PM/TM the passengers do not go as far so much more turnover. Maybe Starlight's trip during daytime thru California vs. Crescent's daytime south of Atlanta ?
