Viewliner
Engineer
I've pondered the Idea of a Viewliner Dorm Configuration for a while now but think I've reached a conclusion.
As far as a baggage dorm, I don't know that the baggage space would be utilized enough to warrant it.
Dorm-Lounge: The "lounge" is either where crew members smoke, or things like bags of linens are stored in Heritage Cars. If a crew member wants a smoke they could just go to the Viewliner smoking coach (Yes, I have plans for that too). As for the sacks I'll address that in a minute.
Dorm-Table: Crew probably wouldn't like passengers going through the dorm, after all they probably could use a refuge without a lot of foot traffic. (Some crew memberss have a bad attitude as is, we don't need them complaining about privacy.) Besides, I think it would be better to have dedicated Viewliner table cars to have that much more capacity (Maybe a prep area too). Remember, the Pre-Superliner Auto Train did use table cars.
Conclusion: The "Crew" Car should just be a standard sleeper. This way there are fewer car types, as well as a larger pool of sleepers. If you guys remember, on one of Alan's trips the crew did share a sleeper with passengers, due to lack of a dorm. I talked to Battalion51 about this and he suggested that perhaps room H could be the Conductor's office, and the two other deluxe rooms could go the highest ranking crew members in seniority. Since there would still be extra rooms, things like linen bags could be stored in the extra rooms, and as I said crew members could use the Smoking room in Viewliner Smoking coaches. (Besides we wouldn't want the new cars to smell like cigarettes anyway).
Any Thoughts on this Idea?
As far as a baggage dorm, I don't know that the baggage space would be utilized enough to warrant it.
Dorm-Lounge: The "lounge" is either where crew members smoke, or things like bags of linens are stored in Heritage Cars. If a crew member wants a smoke they could just go to the Viewliner smoking coach (Yes, I have plans for that too). As for the sacks I'll address that in a minute.
Dorm-Table: Crew probably wouldn't like passengers going through the dorm, after all they probably could use a refuge without a lot of foot traffic. (Some crew memberss have a bad attitude as is, we don't need them complaining about privacy.) Besides, I think it would be better to have dedicated Viewliner table cars to have that much more capacity (Maybe a prep area too). Remember, the Pre-Superliner Auto Train did use table cars.
Conclusion: The "Crew" Car should just be a standard sleeper. This way there are fewer car types, as well as a larger pool of sleepers. If you guys remember, on one of Alan's trips the crew did share a sleeper with passengers, due to lack of a dorm. I talked to Battalion51 about this and he suggested that perhaps room H could be the Conductor's office, and the two other deluxe rooms could go the highest ranking crew members in seniority. Since there would still be extra rooms, things like linen bags could be stored in the extra rooms, and as I said crew members could use the Smoking room in Viewliner Smoking coaches. (Besides we wouldn't want the new cars to smell like cigarettes anyway).
Any Thoughts on this Idea?