Amtrak Great Dome Schedule Sightings Status

[JimBoylan]

when Amtrak last used Dome Cars in regular service.

For ordinary domes, probably when the "City of New Orleans" went Superliner in the 1980s. I think the "Capitol Limited" was converted earlier. About that time, Amtrak did a test run on the "Lake Shore" Boston section, but never did anything more. I think the "Capitol" and the "City" were the only Head End Power trains with domes (coach only), unless the "Cardinal" also had them for a short time.
I think 3 full domes were converted, but as you mention, only "Mountain View" is in any kind of Amtrak use now.
I don't think that any other more exotic kinds of Amtrak domes were ever converted to Head End Power.

[Gilbert B Norman]

I must disagree with Mr. Boylan's points. The last Amtrak "steam' train was the Silver Star which lasted until May 1982, when sufficient A-II's were delivered to effect the conversion.

The Auto Train was assigned ex-GN "-View' full length domes upon its October 1983 Amtrak inauguration.

The City of New Orleans had a consist of A-I's and HEP sleepers until 1995, when sufficient S-II's were on hand to permit conversion to Superliners.

[NellieBly]

During the Claytor years, domes were HEPped for three trains: the City of New Orleans, the Capitol, and the Lake Shore Limited. The Lake Shore's dome ran Chicago - ALB, where it came off during the switching of power (from FP40 to FL9) and separation of the Boston section. I'm not sure if the dome ever went to Boston, but I don't believe that Back Bay station has sufficient clearance for domes.

The domes disappeared shortly after Graham Claytor's retirement, in 1993 or 1994 IIRC.

In retrospect, the Claytor years are beginning to look like an Amtrak "golden age".

[CNJ]

Do you think its time for domes to make a comeback?

[John_Perkowski]

Mr Hensley...

With what capital procurement funding?

Heck, yes, I want them back, particularly on single level routes.

There aren't the bucks to keep the fleet going as is... let alone go and repurchase stuff sold to private folks, or to build new.

218+51+1

http:www.house.gov/writerep
http://www.senate.gov

[Gilbert B Norman]

Here is a site owned by one of our Members that has "all you will ever want or need to know" about Domes - and then some!

http://www.trainweb.org/web_lurker/WebLurkersDOMEmain

[jhdeasy]

The state of NC ownes a dome, currently for sale, that it used for a number of years on The Piedmont in the summer and for special trains, such as the Carolina Panther games. I understand that car does not meet new FRA roll-over standards and NC deemed it to expensive to upgrade. It is a shame as it was intended for use on the proposed train to Asheville that NC has been planning.

NCDOT 400301 MOUNT MITCHELL, originally Milwaukee Road Super Dome lounge car 53, was acquired by the "Friends of the 261" in 2005 and is now North Star Rail 800862 used in excursion service. It is an Amtrak certified PV, so you may be able to lease it for a trip.

[Tadman]

If the NC dome doesn't meet FRA standards, what exactly does that preclude it from?
Revenue runs?
Interchange?
Turning a wheel?
Just curious, as that's an open-ended statement.

Happy Friday!

[JoeG]

Domes were/are the best, most exciting passenger rail cars I've ever ridden in.
I think right now there are some newly-built ones that run on the Alaska RR, run by cruise lines. I don't know if the new domes were built as domes from the ground up or rebuilt from some other kind of car.
It would be great if any future increase in Amtrak's funding would allow domes to be bought and run on some scenic routes, such as the California Zephyr.

[GeorgeF]

Domes were/are the best, most exciting passenger rail cars I've ever ridden in.
I think right now there are some newly-built ones that run on the Alaska RR, run by cruise lines. I don't know if the new domes were built as domes from the ground up or rebuilt from some other kind of car.
It would be great if any future increase in Amtrak's funding would allow domes to be bought and run on some scenic routes, such as the California Zephyr.

AKRR runs some of their own; see http://www.akrr.com/ARRC33.html for info.

[Sam Damon]

If the NC dome doesn't meet FRA standards, what exactly does that preclude it from?
Revenue runs?
Interchange?
Turning a wheel?
Just curious, as that's an open-ended statement.

Happy Friday!

IIRC, the car ran afoul of a particularly mendacious FRA bunch, who wanted change after change made. After the dome windows were retrofitted with emergency exits, apparently the FRA asserted the lack of vestibules made the car unsafe.

It had only been running for 50 years without incident! Perhaps all the FRA nonsense has been sorted out by now.

[JimBoylan]

apparently the FRA asserted the lack of vestibules made the car unsafe.

Then, what will happen to all of Amtrak's Heritage Dinning Cars? Could a better translation be that State bureaucrats feared that someone might assert, etc.?

[Greg Moore]

Domes were/are the best, most exciting passenger rail cars I've ever ridden in.
I think right now there are some newly-built ones that run on the Alaska RR, run by cruise lines. I don't know if the new domes were built as domes from the ground up or rebuilt from some other kind of car.
It would be great if any future increase in Amtrak's funding would allow domes to be bought and run on some scenic routes, such as the California Zephyr.

Unfortunately you most likely won't see any more domes on western LD trains since it's all bilevel equipment already.

But a few on the east coast LD trains might be nice.

[pennsy]

Hi All,

Good to hear that full dome # 10031 is still running the rails in Southern California. Some time ago, I boarded her at LAUS, and the lady conductor was most generous in her ability to escort me through the car and point out the features. Really lovely five dollar tour. She kept mentioning that the car was over 30 years old.

[Gilbert B Norman]

Good to hear that full dome # 10031 is still running the rails in Southern California.....the car was over 30 years old.

50 is a bit more like it, Mr. Pennsy.

http://trainweb.org/web_lurker/GNf/