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Has it been in the train set lately? And, I don't mean a Sightseer with a bottle of Chardonay and crackers in it.
Posts: 218 | Registered: Apr 2003
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#14 on time into SLO is ho-hum. As long as it gets out of LA on time, it is usually on-time or early into SLO. Now if #11 got in on time, that's news!
I have heard the Parlours are going back to Beech Grove for a light overhaul. I don't know if there are any out of service for that reason now. I will say that there are 5 Parlour cars, and 4 trainsets needed to handle the Starlight trains. So one can be out of service and each train would still have a Parlour car.
Posts: 286 | From: Knee deep in the retention tank | Registered: Jan 2006
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When I was on the Starlight on January on January 28th, Parlour Car attendant Richard said that the three that were down for repairs had all returned to service. Not sure if that's changed *again*, though (they are rather old beasties, remember..)
Posts: 108 | From: Culver City, CA, US | Registered: Oct 2004
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They're going back to the Grove for new striping and the usual interior mechanical repairs. I just hope they don't turn them into the diner-lounges as I plan to travel this train in late September.
Posts: 391 | From: Schenectady | Registered: Jan 2002
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When they send one back, does it mean one of the east west route's passengers get a surprise parlor car to enjoy?
Posts: 218 | Registered: Apr 2003
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I doubt it. They would probably need an attendant to watch over that car. Better to just close it off.
Posts: 286 | From: Knee deep in the retention tank | Registered: Jan 2006
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The Budd-built ATSF El Capitan Kachina Lounge cars are within days of their 50th birthdays, and weeks of their introduction to revenue service in July 1956. While they are wonderful cars (I rode them on 17/18 or 3/4 in the early days), they are the very last of the fleet, save the Heartland Flyer Hi-Levels. Save the trucksets and system-wide common parts, any major structural member must be hand-crafted.
If you read Mr Pismobum Ainsworth's site, of these five cars, four have had previous overhauls and cosmetic refurbishments. The fifth is still in Kachina dress. The sixth car of the order is in private hands.
Enjoy these cars now; considering how fast Amtrak is retiring remaining Budd-built Heritage fleet equipment, their days are numbered somewhere.
Posts: 1404 | Registered: Oct 2001
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Amtrak's November Monthly Report states they are scheduled for an overhaul. So they should last a few more years.
Posts: 286 | From: Knee deep in the retention tank | Registered: Jan 2006
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I saw the six+ hour late #11 at OKJ on Friday and it had a Parlour Car. It had a very strange "patch" on the side. It was material that did not match the original siding at all.
Frank in sunny, windy, cool SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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