Viewliner II Delivery/Production

[bostontrainguy]

Yes I posted that back in June:

Amtrak Diner and Food Service Discussion
Post by bostontrainguy
Sun Jun 10, 2018 5:32 pm
24 HOUR AMTRAK DINER MAKES MONEY!?
https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/in ... f-the-fun/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Tadman]

From a customer service perspective, it makes zero sense that overnight sleeper passengers can't expect at least the food quality of Acela first class.

Based on what? The Acela First passenger adds a big chunk of revenue to the bottom line, the Sleeper passenger takes a big chunk away.

Either way you look at it, I’ve had Acela First meals and they’re not that good, certainly not as good as the Sleeper meals under Wick Moorman. I’m not sure it’s a comparison you want to make in the first place.

[Amtrak706]

From a customer service perspective, it makes zero sense that overnight sleeper passengers can't expect at least the food quality of Acela first class.

Based on what? The Acela First passenger adds a big chunk of revenue to the bottom line, the Sleeper passenger takes a big chunk away.

Either way you look at it, I’ve had Acela First meals and they’re not that good, certainly not as good as the Sleeper meals under Wick Moorman. I’m not sure it’s a comparison you want to make in the first place.

Moorman did not change anything about Sleeper meals so I am not really sure what you are talking about. And how do you know that sleeper cars lose money? Amtrak's accounting practices are not exactly accurate.

[Matt Johnson]

I know it's a triviality relative to other current Amtrak issues, but I stand by my earlier claim that the Phase III stripes show dirt and grime more and don't age as well as the Phase IV.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqLJxTVB4tb ... 0cpzg2d7wz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[electricron]

I know it's a triviality relative to other current Amtrak issues, but I stand by my earlier claim that the Phase III stripes show dirt and grime more and don't age as well as the Phase IV.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqLJxTVB4tb ... 0cpzg2d7wz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So what's so wrong cleaning the stripes more often?
While they are at it, how about cleaning the windows more often too!

[ThirdRail7]

I know it's a triviality relative to other current Amtrak issues, but I stand by my earlier claim that the Phase III stripes show dirt and grime more and don't age as well as the Phase IV.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqLJxTVB4tb ... 0cpzg2d7wz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So what's so wrong cleaning the stripes more often?
While they are at it, how about cleaning the windows more often too!

Not all places the trains operate have car washing facilities. Indeed, some trains may not get near them for days at a time.

[electricron]

Not all places the trains operate have car washing facilities. Indeed, some trains may not get near them for days at a time.

Who's fault is it that Amtrak doesn't have enough washing facilities?

[ApproachMedium]

Other problem is like train 90, doesnt get to SSYD till after the car wash closes. Without the old pennsylvanian swap like they used to do the cars basically do not get cleaned. The add on cars from DC do. When the train arrives the car goes thru the wash gets cleaned inside and out. So it always looks diff.

[east point]

Other problem is like train 90, doesnt get to SSYD till after the car wash closes. Without the old pennsylvanian swap like they used to do the cars basically do not get cleaned. The add on cars from DC do. When the train arrives the car goes thru the wash gets cleaned inside and out. So it always looks diff.

This is another example that Amtrak is too thin in service. Amtrak cannot afford to have the nmber car wash facilities that it could if service was more extent.
A car wash ( or any other kind of wash ) needs to be able to capture the run off, send thru a separation device and then be able to reuse most of the detergent and water and just dispose of the dirt. That is not cheap. As an example the airlines also have those kind of facilities with the added proviso that the facility can separate the anti-icing fluid as well.

[Matt Johnson]

I think the decals quickly become stained to the point where a wash doesn't do much. That's one reason I think the dark blue Phase IV bands with minimal white tend to age better.

[mtuandrew]

But what if the engineer forgot to bring a roll of quarters?

If an automated commercial car wash can recycle most of its effluent dozens of times daily, Amtrak should be able to do the same.

[jp1822]

I doubt Via wants either new or used diners at this point. The Canadian and Ocean are at historic lows in frequency and the Chaleur is probably gone for good. They probably have more diners than they know what to do with, and all the diners match right now, coming from the same CP fleet.

VIA‘s actually renovating four former CP Budd Diners for the Canadia n coming up！With only 13 Diners in the fleet （total）they need all the Diners they can get。They have no surplus of diners．．．．They need at least 8 diners for the Canadaian in peak season、then at least one fo r Hudson Bay Service. Leaves only 4 diners spare - the exact number going for renovating！！！

[amtrakhogger]

But what if the engineer forgot to bring a roll of quarters?

If an automated commercial car wash can recycle most of its effluent dozens of times daily, Amtrak should be able to do the same.

Detergent for trains is an acid (sulfuric?) base, I don't know if that can be recycled or reused.

[jp1822]

Best that Amtrak can do is wait for the RFI to come back and let them battle it out with the unions when the recommendation is for F&B service to be outsourced to a third party that would save Amtrak a lot of money. Not saying I am supporting this, just saying that this will likely be the fight that Amtrak pursues. How they will deal with logistics - loading food as opposed to carrying it onboard for the entire trip, will be interesting to find out. But these are all things Amtrak’s looking for in the RFI.

If Amtrak can “outsource” the whole diner operation and be done with it, they will gladly hand over the Viewliner II Diner. I am thinking some sort of buffet style food arrangement.

[east point]

[
Detergent for trains is an acid (sulfuric?) base, I don't know if that can be recycled or reused.

If it is acid ( maybe muratic acid ) still has to be reclaimed and recycled . No discharge would be allowed. Same with glycol for aircraft de icing though some airlines in past have not been caught .. Remember new RR fueling bays must have reclamation of spilled fuel.