Menus vary and cost can be minimized but the real issue is that Amtrak does not promote their
dining cars and cafe/lounge cars.
Aside, from the initial announcement of dining car hours and cafe/lounge hours, what is really being done on board to promote the amenities.
What's wrong with a few announcements about of what's available on board for all the riders.
What's wrong with spending a few dollars to pass out sample menus to the coach passengers and having the coach attendant promote visiting the lounge and diner.
It seems that very little is being done with on board advertising.
Amtrak needs to do a little hustling and get the passengers excited about what's in store for them once on board.
Here's a case, on point: my buddy boarded in Chicago on the City of New Orleans and the train was stalled due to brake problems in Kankakee for over 3 hours.
Did he go to the lounge,.......no. Did he venture outside his seat,..........no. All he did was complain about the delay and,..... the crew on board did nothing to offer alternatives to pass the time.
I boarded in southern Illinois at Carbondale, over 4 hours late but from then on he got a tour of the train and admitted that he should have ventured beyond his seat for the hours of delay but no one promoted such an idea.
We can talk about menu items but until we get more passengers excited to visit these venues,...... no money is made for Amtrak.
And, on top of that,..... what surly dining/cafe attendants may await us. If we're lucky, we may be greeted cordially but we may get a reason to never venture from our seat!