This route has seen so many equipment changes, it's hard to keep up with. Just after the specially restored "Adirondack Heritage Coach Cars" were retired around 2001 or so, the Adirondack got a former Metroliner Amfleet trainset. This was better than what is currently offered, as the former Metroliner Amfleet cars were low density coaches (providing for more legroom etc.). When the Acela Express trainsets were pulled out of service, the Adirondack lost this Metroliner Amfleet equipment, and it has yet to return. As I mentioned on another post, the Empire Corridor Amfleet equipment should really be re-evaluated. Some low density coaches (former Amfleet Metroliner cars or NEC Business class cars) are operating as regular coach cars on the NYP-Albany route (exclusively).
Other members can certainly chime in on this, but as the story goes, when Amtrak first inaugurated the Adirondack train, D&H provided Heritage coaches and a CP Skyline Dome Car (north of Albany). Then the Turboliners were used. Both of these trainset afforded great viewing as the windows were much larger than the Amfleet window slits. Then the Amfleets started to be used on the route before a special fleet of "Adirondack Heritage Coaches" were restored for the route in the 1990s through around 2001. These cars had large windows, new seats, etc. I really liked them. Then as mentioned, around 2001, the Adirondack got the Amfleet Metroliner trainsets, which was good in respect that they were low density coaches for this train's long day-time route through upstate NY and on to Montreal.
I agree that the current high density Amfleets are not appropriate for this train. Business class, or some sort of premiere class, would also go well for this train. And how about the Great Dome (north of Albany) on some seaonal runs - or VIA Rail lending a Skyline Dome since Canada certainly benefits from the significant number of passengers the Adirondack brings there.
Amtrak has a lot of marketing capability it could do for this train, which could ultimately increase revenue. But it has fallen on darker days, in my opinion, as of late, in terms of equipment and onboard service atmopshere. And I haven't see the National Parks person since at least 2001.
As NY State's only state supported train, NY State should also intervene to help bolster the equipment and onboard experience. Like I said - this train has some great scenery and could really be marketed better with the right equipment. Even if one of the former "Adirondack Heritage Coaches" had been transformed into a parlor car of sorts, with lounge chairs one could find on the upper deck of a Superliner Sightseer Car, this would have been a good move. Again, these cars had large windows for viewing the scenery. Tack on a fee for using the "parlor car."
Other members can certainly chime in on this, but as the story goes, when Amtrak first inaugurated the Adirondack train, D&H provided Heritage coaches and a CP Skyline Dome Car (north of Albany). Then the Turboliners were used. Both of these trainset afforded great viewing as the windows were much larger than the Amfleet window slits. Then the Amfleets started to be used on the route before a special fleet of "Adirondack Heritage Coaches" were restored for the route in the 1990s through around 2001. These cars had large windows, new seats, etc. I really liked them. Then as mentioned, around 2001, the Adirondack got the Amfleet Metroliner trainsets, which was good in respect that they were low density coaches for this train's long day-time route through upstate NY and on to Montreal.
I agree that the current high density Amfleets are not appropriate for this train. Business class, or some sort of premiere class, would also go well for this train. And how about the Great Dome (north of Albany) on some seaonal runs - or VIA Rail lending a Skyline Dome since Canada certainly benefits from the significant number of passengers the Adirondack brings there.
Amtrak has a lot of marketing capability it could do for this train, which could ultimately increase revenue. But it has fallen on darker days, in my opinion, as of late, in terms of equipment and onboard service atmopshere. And I haven't see the National Parks person since at least 2001.
As NY State's only state supported train, NY State should also intervene to help bolster the equipment and onboard experience. Like I said - this train has some great scenery and could really be marketed better with the right equipment. Even if one of the former "Adirondack Heritage Coaches" had been transformed into a parlor car of sorts, with lounge chairs one could find on the upper deck of a Superliner Sightseer Car, this would have been a good move. Again, these cars had large windows for viewing the scenery. Tack on a fee for using the "parlor car."