Here is confirmation from Trains' newswire on cancellation of Anschutz plan to use ex-Grand Luxe cars for his Xanterra national park excursions.
Too bad, but it sounded like he was going over the top on appealing to those with deep pockets. I would much prefer a scaled down service used to supplement Amtrak service - such as a sleeper or two added to the SWC for set off at Williams Jct. and Anschutz's GC Ry to the south rim for a couple days.
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DENVER - The proposed American Railway Explorer luxury passenger train is being mothballed just three months after its announcement, the Denver Post has reported. Officials with Xanterra Parks and Resorts, the train's owner, yesterday told contractors working on equipment refurbishment to cease work.
Xanterra, one of billionaire Phil Anschutz's holdings, couldn't be reached for comment.
American Railway Explorer had proposed multi-day trips originating in California and operating to major tourist attractions starting next year. Prices were set between $900 and $1,500 per day.
Xanterra had acquired cars from the defunct GrandLuxe Express. The company had planned to refurbish them with standardized equipment to reduce maintenance costs. Trips destinations included Napa, Calif.; Santa Fe, N.M.; the Columbia River Gorge; and an 11-day transcontinental journey from Los Angeles to Washington.
The shutdown "is kind of surprising, just because the name [Anschutz] is behind it," said Todd Powell, general manager of Vacations By Rail, a Chicago-based travel agency that was preparing to book passengers on the trains. "We had a list of 15,000 people who were potentially interested," he said. "There's going to be quite a few disappointed people."
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Oh well, guess one must be content with "luxo of sorts' (wine tastings, on board food preparation, and a "our best forward' mindset of both management and employees) Empire Builder, Starlight, and Auto Train.
Regarding the last noted, I remain astounded how few here have had occasion to use such. But then in my case, I've never had occasion to use the Amtrak version of the first two.
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
Yes, GBN guess we should be thankful for what we have. But still, I wonder if Amtrak couldn't swing a deal with Anschutz to lease some of the cars (after rehab) to supplement the likes of SWC, EB, CZ or CA service (Yosemite) for National Park excursions. It would be managed by Amtrak with Xanterra arranging on board hotel service/meals and excursions at destinations. Regular Amtrak fares would have a supplement to compensate Xanterra for their handling.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Mr. Palmland, how would your proposal outlined immediately above differ from the flopped 2007 GL/Amtrak "Grand Luxe Limited" arrangement?
Posted by amtrak92 (Member # 14343) on :
Another thing that I think would work would be for Amtrak to take over those cars, and start a new train or two with them. Even with them trying to get rid of all heritage. It would work. As these cars are in better shape then any of Amtrak's cars.
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
GBN, my impression of that failed effort was that the GL neglected to do any significant marketing and it was launched, I believe, during the winter season with more cars and amenities than warranted.
Better approach would be incremental, where the Anshutz cars would be added as demand warrants in the summer season - essentially acting as the Pullman pool cars did. Difference would be that they would be set out enroute at N.P. destinations. Xanterra would lend their considerable management and marketing resources to making it work with Amtrak handling the operations and reservations.
But then maybe Mr. Anschutz has had his fill of playing trains, although I did hear one unconfirmed report that said the cars would be moved to the GC Ry. for work there. I think there is no chance that Amtrak will overhaul the cars in Beech Grove for use in regular service. Maybe Mr. Moorman is looking for some more 'business cars' to go with his steam excursions.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
I would hope that someone will step forward and acquire "New York" and return it to its rightful name of "Sandy Creek" and New York Central livery. Possibly Amtrak would see fit to acquire "Copper Canyon" and "New Orleans" so that they could offer year round Dome service on the Adirondack (I'll take Ms. Sojourner et al word it is a scenic route; I've only ridden the D&H Laurentian and it sure looked scenic from a seat in the Parlor Obs).
Beyond that, off to Naporano Iron & Metal Co or Erman-Howell.
Posted by amtrak92 (Member # 14343) on :
Actually if they went to the NS for the steam program that would be good. If they could get a hold of the dome cars for any of the scenic routes. That would be awesome.
Posted by PullmanCo (Member # 1138) on :
quote:Originally posted by amtrak92: Actually if they went to the NS for the steam program that would be good. If they could get a hold of the dome cars for any of the scenic routes. That would be awesome.
I remember when NS cancelled their steam program, a bit over 10 years ago. Are they thinking of a restart?
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
Having ridden all of the Amtrak LD's from endpoint to endpoint now, I keep an eye open for unique experiences and sometimes manage to pull one off.
Having said that, I would pay any amount asked for the opportunity to ride a train hauled by locomotive #4501 (and a diesel helper or two) from Knoxville, TN down the French Broad River to Asheville, NC.
I rode that route once on an excursion in 1977 and never got back around to it because with the NS excursion program you could always count on two to four opportunities to ride that line each year......
Until the excursions were abruptly terminated in the fall of 1994.
Posted by amtrak92 (Member # 14343) on :
But they are bringing them back which is good. I don't know the details yet.