David Benton wrote:I'd be happy with that , but I doubt I'm your typical sleeper patron.
How busy did the attendant appear to be ? rushed off their feet , or coping well?
One idea I have mooted would be to have Business class also be eligible for lounge car use and meals. at a cost of course, but the one valid criticism I have seen is the lounge car feeling empty , or not having a "social" feel . this could remedy that , and bring in extra $$$.
He was coping well. For dinner all the orders are known in advance and he has time to prepare them; in between that he's getting drinks for sleeper passengers. For breakfast, which is still first-come first-serve, he has you fill out a much smaller ticket with your car and room number and then takes your drink order. Everyone gets the same breakfast.
Regarding the breakfast, the packaging is the same as dinner. I sat in the sleeper lounge and avoided acquiring a second bag (sturdy bags are useful on a trip, but I don't need two). Breakfast is yogurt parfait, sliced fruit, banana pecan breakfast bread, blueberry muffin, kashi bar and kind bar. The yogurt was good. The muffin was fresh and moist, and probably enough breakfast for me on its own (500+ cal). The fruit was crisp. I saved the two bars for later and didn't try the breakfast bread. I gather Amtrak's reducing the portions and that's the right call. It's good, but it's too much.
There was a pleasant conversation between the various tables when I sat down. Usual topics--where people are going, grandchildren, difficulty of sleeping aboard train (I don't sleep well myself, never have). It's not as active as the dining car may have been in the past, but that could also have been a function of when I was there. I gravitate toward earlier meal times. I wouldn't be surprised if Amtrak starts offering these meals for sale, once they've determined an adequate price point.