Arborwayfan wrote: ↑Sat Nov 30, 2019 11:05 pm
I don't know how likely it is that such a train could break even, but it'd be interesting for some transportation student to do some market research and cost analysis.
Amtrak did a California Zephyr improvement study about 10 years ago, here it is:
https://trn.trains.com/~/media/files/pd ... -30-10.pdf
The executive summary lists how the Zephyr could be improved.
"The California Zephyr serves a diverse set of markets between Chicago and Emeryville; nearly three quarters of the passengers are spread among dozens of smaller markets each with less than 3% of the total ridership. Five larger markets served the remaining 25% of the riders and each has unique characteristics. The largest, Chicago –Denver, accounting for about 9% of the ridership, frequently sells out during the peak summer months. To ease the capacity constraints Amtrak adds an additional sleeper when equipment is available. Because of Glenwood Springs, Colorado’s proximity to many of Colorado’s popular ski destinations, Amtrak must limit sales in its second most popular Denver-Glenwood Springs market to ensure availability to longer distance travelers. Reno, Nevada is also a popular destination for California travelers, especially during the winter months, when driving can be dangerous. Like Glenwood Springs, Amtrak limits sales in these markets, because demand outstrips supply. Only 4% of the ridership travels end-to-end between Chicago and Emeryville, which is the route’s fourth largest market.
In early 2010, Amtrak formed a cross-departmental team to develop a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) for the California Zephyr. This effort included front-line employees from all crafts whose work supports this train, as well as management representatives from eight departments. While operationally challenging, the California Zephyr does not have the scheduling and operational inefficiencies of the other routes studied in FY10. On those routes, the PIPs directly focused on removing operating deficiencies with customer satisfaction indirectly addressed. That is, customer satisfaction is expected to improve as a result of better schedules, routes, and connections. On the California Zephyr, the team recommended that Amtrak should focus directly on improving customer satisfaction."
As an aside, this improvement for customer satisfaction mainly consisted of improving the training of the crews, implementing a better reporting scheme on crew issues and passenger complaints, and rewarding the better performing crews with bonuses.
"The following describes the other initiatives analyzed during the year.
The Sparks Cars Initiative and the Chicago-Denver Cut-Off Coaches and Sleepers Initiative are expected to be implemented during FY11.
Sparks Cars Initiative
Presently, three coaches operate Emeryville to Chicago, for a total capacity of 206 seats. By establishing Emeryville-Sparks, NV, cut-off cars, Amtrak can increase capacity over this part of the route from 206 to 342 total seats during winter months. The train consist between Emeryville and Chicago is reduced to two coaches during winter months (consistent with lower demand during this period), and the six coaches which are made available with the smaller consist can be reassigned to Emeryville for the high demand winter only Northern California - Reno business. Total equipment requirements for the Zephyr are unchanged.
Chicago-Denver Cut-Off Coaches and Sleepers Initiative
During the peak summer travel months, demand is highest (particularly for coach customers) over the Chicago-Denver portion of the route. By turning some equipment at Denver, Amtrak can more effectively meet demand with a modest increase in equipment requirements. Amtrak has added equipment to this segment on an ad hoc basis in the past, but would like to make the addition part of the permanent California Zephyr plan.The business case and financials for this initiative are still being worked. Pending the outcome of the business case and equipment availability, Amtrak may implement this new service on a permanent basis during the peak periods.
The following initiatives reflect future options, with no planned implementation date.
Desert Wind Service Addition
This initiative would establish a separate section between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, serving Las Vegas. This would offer through cars between Chicago and Los Angeles that serve Denver and Las Vegas, one of the few major US cities without Amtrak service. The team recognizes that equipment availability and host railroad negotiations preclude pursuing this option in the near-term and that it would require substantial increases in Federal and/or state funding for operating and capital costs, but consider it important to include for long-term consideration.
Operate the California Zephyr as a “Premium” Service train
Amtrak markets the Empire Builder and the Coast Starlight as Premium Services. Although those trains use different service models, they offer insights into what Premium Service must include. It was felt that Premium Service on the California Zephyr would require an additional sleeper and a dedicated First Class Lounge car to meet financial targets. The current fleet does not have sufficient cars for this level of expansion, but Premium Service is a logical incremental service improvement for the California Zephyr when equipment availability permits it. Additionally, premium service is dependent on the success of establishing of a “service excellence” program first.
Operate the California Zephyr as a “Green” train service
The essence of this plan centered on using as many environmentally friendly products onboard the train as practical, as well as using bio-diesel fuel to operate the locomotive. While there were benefits to Amtrak in testing many new green products, there was a significant increase in operating costs. The increased revenue from the marketing of an environmentally friendly train did not fully offset the increased costs of this option, so the option was dropped. One particular green initiative – restoring china to the diner, rather than continuing with the currently used disposable dishes – is under active consideration."
p.s. Nowhere in Amtrak's California Zephyr improvement plan did it include increasing services to Salt Lake City. China was not restored, a Superliner first class lounge car was never built and the Parlor Cars on the Coast Starlight have been retired, and many of the other proposed initiatives were not implemented as planned.
Never-the-less, a study including the inputs of the line workers on this train was made 10 years ago. It's difficult to say if any improvements were made at all, or if the improvements that were made had any affect. The train still loses money. But here we are, some are suggesting people (college students, passengers, grandpa, teenagers, etc.) with little knowledge or experience on how to run a railroad or run a train making suggestions on how they would improve it, without even considering how their suggestions would effect the train over the rest of its route. Hear! Hear!