by tomj
I've read some post concerning the idea of bringing back slumber coaches. I was wondering if it would be possible to convert Horizon cars into slumber coaches. For example could the structure of the horizon cars support beds that are hanging from the walls. Some people in other discussions thought to refurbish the old slumber coaches, but these cars don't have chemical retention toilets.
I suggest using the horizon cars because with the introduction of california cars to replace the horizons, the need to be move the horizons somewhere else because there only about 20 years old. There currently aren't any routes that would want to use these cars. Unless amtrak is planning routes in Texas, Arizona and Florida to be started after the bi levels are delivered, the horizons won't be needed. The horizons have a chemical retention system so that wouldn't be needed in a conversion. I've heard that the slumber coaches had narrow beds, I suggest not having a toilet in the room and making the beds slightly wider. From what I've read, this will be seen as heresy on the East Coast, but since Amtrak doesn't have money for that, one restroom per car would be enough. The cars should also be winterized enough to be used in cold weather and not fail. Also change the lighting to make them less like commuter cars.
The way they should be used, are by having some limited stop overnight trains. By this I mean a train from LA to SF and a few other comparable routes in a few other places. These trains would have 2-3 slumber coaches, a cafe car, 2 coaches converted to LD configuration and a baggage car. Having few stops would make it less difficult for stops in western states that don't have high level platforms. The trains wouldn't have food service included in the ticket, which would lead to a lower price. 50 to 60 dollars per night would be good to attract ridership for a single room and 90 to 100 for a double room plus the coach ticket fare. Also not subjecting these rooms to demand based pricing formula to keep the upgrade price from tripling or increasing sharply like it has on eastern trains.
I suggest using the horizon cars because with the introduction of california cars to replace the horizons, the need to be move the horizons somewhere else because there only about 20 years old. There currently aren't any routes that would want to use these cars. Unless amtrak is planning routes in Texas, Arizona and Florida to be started after the bi levels are delivered, the horizons won't be needed. The horizons have a chemical retention system so that wouldn't be needed in a conversion. I've heard that the slumber coaches had narrow beds, I suggest not having a toilet in the room and making the beds slightly wider. From what I've read, this will be seen as heresy on the East Coast, but since Amtrak doesn't have money for that, one restroom per car would be enough. The cars should also be winterized enough to be used in cold weather and not fail. Also change the lighting to make them less like commuter cars.
The way they should be used, are by having some limited stop overnight trains. By this I mean a train from LA to SF and a few other comparable routes in a few other places. These trains would have 2-3 slumber coaches, a cafe car, 2 coaches converted to LD configuration and a baggage car. Having few stops would make it less difficult for stops in western states that don't have high level platforms. The trains wouldn't have food service included in the ticket, which would lead to a lower price. 50 to 60 dollars per night would be good to attract ridership for a single room and 90 to 100 for a double room plus the coach ticket fare. Also not subjecting these rooms to demand based pricing formula to keep the upgrade price from tripling or increasing sharply like it has on eastern trains.