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I was able to make it down to Beech Grove last weekend for Amtrak's "open house". Some photos and my blog are on my website:
www.rtabern.com (enter the username/password it gives you... then click on the travels link at the top of the page)
The most interesting things I saw were a stripped-down Pacific Parlor car. Plus, I was the only one of everyone to tour the facility that weekend to see them working on (and photograph the inside of) the new combined diner/lounge that is generating so much buzz.
Posts: 100 | From: Milwaukee, WI | Registered: Feb 2006
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I am getting "Sorry, this GeoCities site is currently unavailable."
Posts: 1082 | From: Los Angeles, CA. USA | Registered: Aug 2003
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Worked this time . The username and password was on the right side of the page for me.
Great pics! Especially the photos of the interior Diner/Lounge interior. I think they are the first on the net! The design definitely looks nice, however it is not the same as a dining car. The food pick-up part of the car looks a bit like the Acela cafe.
Posts: 1082 | From: Los Angeles, CA. USA | Registered: Aug 2003
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The diner/lounge seating is all wrong! If you look closely, it has a table booth facing the window on one side of the aisle, while across the aisle the booth faces the aisle. Then they alternate sides, on down the aisle. Thus the inward facing tables always look at other people's backs!
Inward facing booths should face inward facing booths, and vice versa.
I will give them credit for the overall look, which is reminiscent of the streamliner era, especially the lighting and bar.
That stripped down Parlour Car may be the catalyst for rumors I heard on the train that parlour cars were being stripped by employees for souvenirs.
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Robert - the "password" they give me is obliterated by another line of text right on top of it, so I couldn't read the password.
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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I particularly liked the picture of you with all the 'big wheels' at Beech Grove!
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Lest we note,Mr. Toy, the configuration reported for the Diner Lounge car (by Mr.Tabern and also at another forum) appears to resemble that which was used in some "Capstone" Amfleet Cafe rebuilds.
For all anyone knows, they salvaged the tables and seating from those cars; they have reportedly been withdrawn as part of the A-I stored equipment.
Incidentially, another forum reports that one of the cars has been released and is now en route to CHI. The same forum reports the cars will be numbered #37XXX.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Frank, it didn't work for me either - I'm using Firefox. However, if I downgrade to Internet Explorer then the username/password comes up right underneath the login button.
I can't say I like the new diner section. It looks very claustrophobic! I guess we'll find out soon how well it works out.
Thanks for the photos and report.
Geoff M.
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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Safari doesn't like the page, either. The password is obliterated by the login box. I'd really like to see this.
-------------------- My new "default" station (EKH) has no baggage service or QuikTrak machine, but the parking is free! And the NY Central RR Museum is just across the tracks (but not open at Amtrak train times. . ..) Posts: 337 | From: Goshen, IN | Registered: Jun 2006
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. The username and password was on the right side of the page for me.
