Amtrak Great Dome Schedule Sightings Status

From the Portland Press Herald:

Portland Press Herald wrote:The Downeaster requested a turn with the dome car in a bid to give frequent riders a new experience and draw in those who haven’t tried the Downeaster yet.

“We are always looking for opportunities to improve customer service and offer something new and different for our passengers,” Quinn said.
. . .
But because of height restrictions, train passengers on the East Coast never really had the chance to experience dome cars, and still only get sporadic opportunities to try one out.

The current run of the dome car might be the last chance Downeaster passengers have to ride in it. Depending on its performance this year, the Downeaster may or may not request the car again next year, Quinn said.

Read the rest of the article at: http://www.pressherald.com/2016/08/22/v ... -the-line/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Getting the Great Dome to/from the Downeaster service is not easy,it has to brought in/out via the "Grand Jct Detour" route
at Worcester. There was a need to cycle in a P42 and a NPCU when the dome was brought in,wonder what equipment
cycles out with the dome this time?

Now that 90214 is back from rebuild, I imagine a P42 will be leaving.

Video by William Lord:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKiCdTbMI9w" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Best part of the video are the testimonials from riders, many of whom were lured on board by the advertising of this opportunity. More proof that special services and promotion can make a big difference. It figures that would happen on the Downeaster, where the local authority, far from Washington DC, takes the initiative to make this train special, including regional food, tailored promotional materials, and now this special dome. Unfortunately Amtrak central doesn't take that sort of initiative - when I rode this car on the Adirondack a couple years ago and the Cardinal a year or two before that, there was no promotion outside of railfan websites like this, and on the Cardinal the crew did not even announce the car's presence on the train, so most of the passengers did not even know it was there. The only people using it were railfans who were already in the know, while dozens of passengers who could have had a great time were instead stuck in their seats or the ridiculous Amcafe oblivious to the dome at the tail of the consist.
I am biased, having ridden these cars on the Empire Builder in the 1970s.
I hope users of this site will keep posting videos and news of wherever this car is going next. What a sales tool for Amtrak! Too bad they don't make the most of it.

https://www.amtrak.com/fall-travel-on-t ... t-dome-car" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Stunning Views. Spectacular Opportunities.

The "Great Dome" car offers a rare and unique fall travel experience to view this season's brilliance on the Adirondack and Cardinal train. The dome is open to all passengers on a first come, first served basis on select departures. The dome car features an upper level with windows on all sides and overhead to provide the passengers with panoramic views of magnificent scenery. Book your train tickets today to kick off your fall travel adventure. Already got your train tickets? Don't forget to make a hotel reservation at your destination to complete the trip.

Where Can I Ride the Dome Car?

Downeaster (Brunswick - Portland - Boston)

August 13 - September 18, 2016
Ride the Downeaster between August 13 and September 18, 2016 and see Northern New England like never before. The Great Dome rail car is making its first ever trip to Maine and will travel along with the Downeaster on four trips each day. The vintage Dome features an upper level with windows on all sides (including the roof) that will offer passengers panoramic views of the scenic villages, coastline, marshes, streams and landscapes located all along the Downeaster route.

The seats in the upper level of the Dome Car are available at no extra cost, but they are unreserved and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Passengers are encouraged to rotate in and out of the Dome Car to allow all passengers the ability to enjoy this unique experience.

The Great Dome Car is available on these Downeaster trains:

Weekday Train #682, #683, #686, #687
Weekend Train #690, #691, #698, #699
Adirondack (Montreal - Albany - New York)

September 29 - November 1, 2016
The Amtrak Adirondack Train between Albany and MontrealOn the Adirondack train, immerse yourself in the changing tree colors and Lake Champlain vistas as you travel from Albany across the Canadian border to Montreal.

Enjoy the Great Dome car traveling northbound September 29 - October 31, 2016, on Thursday, Saturday and Monday (Train 69). Or traveling southbound September 30 - November 1, 2016, on Friday, Sunday and Tuesday (Train 68).
Dates and availability of the Great Dome Car are subject to change without notice.

History of the Great Dome Car

The only remaining dome car in Amtrak service, car number 10031, is a Great Dome car previously used on the Chicago - Seattle Empire Builder route when the train was operated by the Great Northern Railway and the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad (later the Burlington Northern Railroad). It was built in 1955 by the Budd Company for the Great Northern and carried the name "Ocean View," car number 1391. It was conveyed to Amtrak in 1971, with this car first being given the number 9361. It was renovated in 1985, renumbered 9300, and used in daily service on the Amtrak Auto Train to and from the Washington, DC and Orlando, FL, areas through 1994. It was further refurbished in 1999, renumbered to 10031, and has been used in various Amtrak services including the Pacific Surfliners (formerly San Diegans) and other charters and excursions.

I love the article title below: Jalopnik.com

Ride Amtrak's Beautiful Dome Car And Put Some Joy Into Your Miserable Life

Your life might be a ceaseless conveyor belt of misery taking you to a much-too-late grave, but there’s at least one thing you should drag your sorry ass to just this one time to get a glimmer of joy just this once: Amtrak’s bubble top train, here on the Adirondack line.

Amtrak has just one bubble train, or rather, the Great Dome Car. I last rode the Great Dome Car (car #10031) a few years ago from LA to San Diego when it was on Pacific Surfliner duty. Hazy late afternoon light filtered in the tinted, curved windows. Warmth. Comfort. Sunlight glimmered on the gentle ocean waves too bright to look at, like nostalgia itself. The low ceiling hung close and life seemed, briefly, in order.
...
It has been bopping around the country since it got restored most recently in ‘99. Currently and through November first it’s making the Montreal-Albany-New York run, headed northbound on Thursday, Saturday and Monday (Train 69) and southbound on Friday, Sunday and Tuesday (Train 68). You can find more information on Amtrak’s own site.

The seats are unreserved—you just have to be one of the people knowing it’s coming and quick enough to climb the carpeted steps up to the top. Apparently there will be historical commentary on some of these rides from volunteers, which is the most train people thing imaginable
....

Might someone wish to point out to that "Jalopinik reporter" that the Dome Diner pictured was an ex-MILW Super Dome that was briefly used on the Auto Train during the 1991 timeframe. Those cars were acquired from Princess Tours after a flopped OAK-LA "Luxoservice" on the Starlight.

It was the first effort by Amtrak to offer a distinct service to Sleeper passengers. I rode the car during 1992. A review of the late Mr. Ainsworth's site Dome Main that is still being hosted at Trainweb, and you can identify which cars were used. The battery on my phone is practically dead, and I'm too lazy to go upstairs and my desktop.

The Jalopnik article is why I think Amtrak needs to acquire the other MILW domes and have a mini-fleet of them excursions like this. It's great PR.

Believe the Great Dome is cycling between ALB-MTR on #68/69 right now.
IP seems to have most of the ex-ATSF Big Domes.

Dan Ainsworth passed away during '12, so his site does not reflect transactions such as IPH acquisition of Big/Great Domes. It also does not reflect how many, if any, MILW Super Domes are fit for mainline rail service.

Possibly his Estate funded maintenance of his site or the folks over at Trainweb recognize what a painstakingly "labor of love" such represents. But even if dormant, it remains unique and valuable.

http://www.trainweb.org/web_lurker/WebLurkersDOMEmain/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/ ... ster-train" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fair Use Quote:

Amtrak is bringing back a domed railcar that offers panoramic views for riders of the Downeaster.

The Downeaster will begin four daily trips starting Saturday using the “Amtrak Great Dome rail car.” The rail car features an upper level with windows on all sides.

Does anyone know what set the Dome will run on? Would love to do a BON-FRE run, but would hate to catch the set without the dome...

Here is the Dome listing by train from NNEPRA.
http://www.amtrakdowneaster.com/dome-car" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-id ... downeaster" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fall information and status update thread...

Video by Derek Carpine:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y4KhzVTz-0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;