Upgraded LD Trains

[amtrak_flyer]

With word starting to come out that the Southwest Chief is going to be a diner light in the near future, can we assume no more upgraded trains like the Empire builder. If this is the case its a shame. For those of you that have seen the last couple issues of Amtrak Ink, the EB is now pulling in more revenue then the Auto Train, and even some corridors. The numbers are amazing, who knows if they'll stay that way over the long run, but as of the first 6 months it looks like a major success.

 

[saxman]

I heard the California Zephyr is next to get upgraded. Never heard anything on the Chief. But changes are on the way for everything.

 

[AmtrakFan]

Southwest Chief is or was suppose to be FY07

 

[trainboy325]

The California Zephyr is the next train scheduled to receive the upgraded services like the Empire Builder. It is important to remember that with David Gunn out of the picture, raising customer service and amenities will no longer be part of the Amtrak "reform" program as the company will abolish "money losing food and entertainment" activities, to paraphrase Norman Minetta. Although such things raise revenue and ridership, they don't matter as the "real" agenda is to get more people into cars, burn more gasoline and travel on bankrupted airlines subsidized heavily by the government that go only between major population centers. Rural America be damned!

It is amazing to see that, when given the opportunity to succeed, people really want to ride long distance trains and they do have the potential to be a major component of the American transportation system. Oh well, the future instead will turn Amtrak into a glorified bus on rails system that the vast majority of Americans want nothing to do with. It's Ed Ball's Florida East Coast all over again! Go figure. :angry: :blink: