apologies if this has been addressed previously, but does anyone the deployment schedule for refurbished superliner sleepers/diners outside of the empire builder? i noticed that several travelers have noted consists for the sunset limited and california zephyr have had a few of these cars on specific trips.
does amtrak plan to eventually roll out refurbished superliners (to the same standard as those found on the empire builder) across the western long-distance trains? or will it be only the empire builder for the forseeable future?
thanks in advance for your replies.
-- eldee
Posted by CoastStarlight99 (Member # 2734) on :
The Lounge cars being used on the Empire Builder are also on many Coast Starlight trains, and I believe the Sunset Limited uses those as well. As for the full refurbished Sleeping Cars, I have only seen one on the Coast Starlight. It is rather common though to see Superliner I/II car with the new blue seats even if the bathroom, etc. is not refurbished at all.
Posted by eldee (Member # 4544) on :
that's the sort of anecdotal evidence i've been seeing on this board and others every now and again, and is good to know the lounges are being placed elsewhere.
i'm curious, though, if the full sleeper refurbishment is planned for all superliner sleepers across the western long-distance trains, or just the empire builder, and spares find their way on other trains when there is a shortage.
-- eldee
Posted by MDRR (Member # 2992) on :
The new lounges and sleepers have been on the Capital and the SWC as well. I think they end up wherever cars are needed, with the "dedicated to EB" being a great theory but not reality.
Posted by The Chief (Member # 2172) on :
eldee, Amtrak estimates that 53 percent of its passenger cars "will be in a state of good repair by the end of this fiscal year."
In May, 2006 I rode in the newly refurbished SLI Sleeper 32048 on the Empire Builder and it was sharp. New blue curtains and upholstery, wood grain look "paneling" halfway (and complete) up the hallway walls, new plastic panel ceiling and top bunk undercover, new lights, bathroom, and shower.
FY 2006 Fleet Project Highlights:
$46.7 million project
overhaul 68 Superliner I cars
remanufacture 66 Superliner II cars
remanufacture 60 Amfleet I coaches
remanufacture 24 Amfleet II coaches
convert eight Amfleet II smoker lounge cars to diner/lounges
(see my post about a lounge conversion here: http://www.railforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/11/4052.html#000004 ) Remanufactured Superliners are equipped with new bathroom modules, toilet systems, lighting, carpet and interior walls, along with overhauled bunks and other amenities. All of the car’s components are removed and new/rebuilt parts are installed, often according to a new or updated design.
It would seem with such an ambitious plan, Amtrak would have refurbished Superliner Sleeper rolling stock for most of its LD trains. One can only hope. I wish they would add "fixing the Viewliner coffee makers" to the program. When I rode the Silver Star in June, 2006 (NYC-Miami), both VSleepers did not have working coffee makers.
Locomotive Program Overhaul
35 P-42s
4 P-32s
8 F-59s
2 F-40 cab cars
(Main source for budget & car/loco counts: Amtrak Ink)