Reportedly, all three "prototype" Viewliners (2 Sleeper and 1 Diner) have long since been withdrawn from service. Further, reports state they have been stripped of any usable parts and their shells sit atop jacking blocks.The first step to replacing their lost capacity is to obtain funding for an additional Viewliner order.
On this same note, nothing has come to my attention establishing the status of the two Viewliners lost at Hinesville during May 2003. Photos of the derailment incident would suggest that they could be returned to service. However, since there was an employee fatality arising from the incident (the Locomotive Engineer's name has been added to the Honor Roll at Wash Union Station as of last Feb), there is some possibility they have been impounded as evidence. If that be the case, who knows when, if ever, they will be rebuilt and returned to service.
[This message has been edited by Gilbert B Norman (edited 07-25-2004).]
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