Railroad Forums
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Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2024 7:27 amMy impression, admittedly from a distance, is that intermediate stops are the lifeblood of this train, although they can be a nuisance if that's not where you're getting off. If needed sration facilities are already in place they could make it a flag stop for awhile to test the demand. A few extra minutes shouldn't do much harm.
OK so what's next; to make every stop The Cannonball made?
superbad wrote: ↑Sun Jun 09, 2024 3:14 pm From my account Borealis is taking 2-3 minutes per stop. It is not like the empire builder. No assigned seating. They scan your ticket and the train leaves.I hadn't considered this and it's another great reason to replace trains like the Eagle and Builder with extra corridor frequencies. I detest the officious crews lording their seating ability over passengers. I have rarely seen that little power go to someone's head so much. I recall a specific incident in KC when boarding the Chief to Chicago. The AC told us to get in car X and seat Y. We complied and stowed our bags and the train started moving. Minutes later an irate head conductor came through and demanded we get our bags and move multiple cars away. What a dick.
daybeers wrote: ↑Sun Jun 09, 2024 9:27 pm How do the stops take 2-3 minutes? Level boarding helps a lot, but I'm used to more like 15-60 seconds.There's no sense of urgency by passengers boarding - most of the time, and also the crew sometimes too. Tickets being scanned on the platform is the BIGGEST sticking point. Single level or high level, the amount of time has certainly gotten longer, overall, in recent times to load and unload passengers.
daybeers wrote: ↑Sun Jun 09, 2024 9:27 pm How do the stops take 2-3 minutes? Level boarding helps a lot, but I'm used to more like 15-60 seconds.With Midwestern corridor trains using Horizon stock you have three issues:
RandallW wrote: ↑Fri Jun 14, 2024 4:53 am Amtrak is really wanting to do pre-ticketing where they don't control access to the platform b/c otherwise homeless and/or addicts use the trains as conveniences and its way easier for the crew to prevent them boarding than to get the ejected at the next station.Easier to reject them early than have to call police to eject them later. Saves on delay time as well.
daybeers wrote: Completely unnecessary and inconvenient. Juggling luggage, possibly toddlers, and they make you whip out your ticket?!And yet, millions do this daily at airports and intercity bus terminals worldwide...
