by STrRedWolf
eolesen wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 6:26 pm Yeah, I'm getting a bit tired of the assumption that going single-level nationally would suddenly be a problem or issue for ground accessibility. If it's not a problem to run Amfleets, Horizons or Venture cars where 80% of the ridership is, then it shouldn't be a problem for the other 20% of the stations.I'm not going to dispute that it can be overcome. There's existing designs that have said lift built-in. Lets put the accessibility of single-level on a national scale aside.
There are already portable wheelchair lifts (e.g. the crank-o-matics) available to get customers on/off a standard car height level.
There are also car-mounted lifts available commercially, similar to what Metra and other agencies use on their fleets.
Bi-levels are great for commuter service where you can do high density for short distances. It's been a 40 year experiment that never really proved necessary for long distance travel.
The real question is, does the demand on LD services require bi-level LD services?
Lets take a prepandemic consist. I'm assuming two coaches, a lounge, a diner, four sleepers, and a baggage car. Assuming a "minimum" of each room having one person, and a maximum being at capacity rating, and a full coach...
Min/max for Superliner consist: 169-344
Min/max for Viewliner consist: 76-157
Um, that's more than double the capacity there. That's... well, if you go single for LD flat out, you're leaving money on the table. Add that you have half a diner in seating capacity VS a full floor... the business side of me says "Why cut ourselves down? We make more money going bi-level!"
Sure, we can design a bi-level train consist that you can go end-to-end in a wheelchair. I got two versions already that I'm tweaking, one for the sequel novel I'm writing (link below in signature). Will such rough plans work in real life? Will I get a call from Amtrak or a manufacturer to license the design? Or will it be so close I could sue and then settle for a small undisclosed amount plus getting into the writers-on-rail program? Who knows?!?
The point here is that it's early. Amtrak has to rebuild it's mechanical repair workforce and get through inspections of the Superliner equipment to get things back to full force. By that time it'll have some data to help it decide to go bi-level or single-level... or to do both on the 2-day LD trips with a full-fledge "dorm sleeper" car (1 accessible, rest roomettes).