Why shouldn’t Amtrak cater to people looking for a land cruise?

[John_Perkowski]

Procurement costs.
Restoration and maintenance costs.
An uncooperative host road (Amtrak PV Rules)

This is not a good idea for the economically rational business.

[David Benton]

There is some resistance to high price trains in NZ, apparently.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/kiwi-tra ... se-it?rm=a
The author is wrong about one thing , Kiwrail has a limited number of carriages to add to existing trains. They pretty much use them all in summer. But prices are high for everyday travel.

[Gilbert B Norman]

It appears that this Business Insider reporter enjoyed "of sorts" adventure:

https://www.businessinsider.com/amtrak- ... le-2019-10

It would appear this journey was made after "Flex Dining" was initiated; can't say I'd care to make such journey myself - memories of having done so during the '60's would make this seem like the "Masochist Milk Run".

[lordsigma12345]

Will be making this journey in June. I will be on the Zephyr west and the Chief east. I know it will pale in comparison so the way service was back in the day, but I’m still looking forward to it having never done it. I will say from that article, computers are coming to the diners to help with tracking and stocking. Auto train got them in August and I imagine they’re going elsewhere too. One interesting note is where he compared the 96 hour travel time to 48 hours driving. The western trains are actually quite competitive with driving. Unless you have multiple drivers doing nonstop shifts, it takes far longer than 48 hours. Maybe 48 hours of straight driving, but that doesn’t count gas stops, meal stops, and overnight breaks. And he had 96 due to missing his connection. If you only say drive 12-13 hours a day and add in all the layovers and stops it’s going to take just as long to drive if not longer in some cases.

[Greg Moore]

It appears that this Business Insider reporter enjoyed "of sorts" adventure:

https://www.businessinsider.com/amtrak- ... le-2019-10

It would appear this journey was made after "Flex Dining" was initiated; can't say I'd care to make such journey myself - memories of having done so during the '60's would make this seem like the "Masochist Milk Run".

And reading this, today I learned apparently Amtrak has installed catenary to Albany.