DutchRailnut wrote: Very simple the loss on the food service was astronomical, The Empire Service is treated by its customers as a commuter service, and most will enter the train bringing coffee and a bagel/rol etc.
My experience was that it was used, and I've even seen the cafe cars run out of certain items. But I don't doubt that perhaps overall, the demand wasn't sufficient. On the other hand, other Amtrak routes of comparable length offer food service, and given that the Empire Corridor fares are among Amtrak's highest on a per mile basis, this route should offer food service as well. If Amtrak covered the 140 miles between NYP and Albany in an hour flat with a true high speed train, I'd say fine. But a two and a half hour intercity route should have some basic amenities beyond what you'd expect from a commuter train. Heck, don't some of Metro North's trains and LIRR's Montauk trains have some sort of a bar car?!
I remember reading reports that North Carolina's Piedmont lost its cafe attendant, so they at least put out snacks and drinks in the lounge car. At least it's something...