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As promised, here are some pictures of the newly renovated Superliner I car #32016. This first one was taken at St Louis Monday night. The car number is now a reflective teal.
The downstairs area near the luggage rack looks like this.
and my room looked like this.
Mike Smith Member # 447
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More pictures: My suitcase still fits on the Superliner I step. It's a 24" Samsonite roll-on.
Here's a picture of the new room lights. That is the night light that I have on, and that is the new color.
[This message has been edited by Gilbert B Norman (edited 09-11-2004).]
Mike Smith Member # 447
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When we pulled into Ft Worth, everyone from the northbound Eagle had to look at the new renovation. Also almost all of the Ft Worth staff came to have a look. The consensus was OUTSTANDING! They finally did something right!
However, almost 25 of the 30 people that took a look had the following to say: "Can two people fit in the shower?" or "Two people can fit in the shower." Wonder what that means..... Anyway, here's the new shower. The door is held by a magnet. If you look closely, you'll see the call button to the left of the door and you will see the "occupied" light on the outside. Its twin is in the same place on the inside, so you know the door is locked.
Here's the built-in seat.
Here's two pictures of the Deluxe sleeper's shower and toilet combo.
Mike Smith Member # 447
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And now for the standard restroom. The pull down diaper changer has been eliminated in all except for one of the restrooms. The first restroom downstairs is the only one that has the new & improved cahnging table. Here's the picture.
The upstairs restroom looks just like the downstairs restrooms and the upstairs window has been eliminated. Here's an overall picture of the restroom
And here's the trash container and "locked door" light.
sbalax Member # 2801
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Great pics! Thanks for sharing them.
Frank in Sunny, Hot SBA
Big Merl Member # 3251
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Nice photos! Thanks! If anyone gets a chance like this and wants a request, I would love to see the new sleeper in her night configuration. See how nice she looks when the beds are made up.
JONATHON Member # 2899
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Amazing! they look much brighter, I'm guessing they looked not as bright like the Coaches, I've never seen the inside of a sleeper, or bin in one, maby in a few years
------------------ JONATHON D. ORTIZ
20th Century Member # 2196
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Thank you. I enjoyed those pictures. The refurbishment is much better than the original look.
Southwest Chief Member # 1227
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Very nice job Beach Grove. Hope to see more like this in the future.
It looks like the new car does not have the all familiar decal but instead is painted or a painted metal plate was welded on to the car. Good idea as those decals are starting to wear off.
[This message has been edited by Southwest Chief (edited 09-12-2004).]
Mike Smith Member # 447
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Here's the only exterior "daytime" picture I took of the car:
And Big Merl, sorry, I never thought to get a picture of the night time setup.
The refurbish job is really well-thought-out and very "user friendly". I LIKE it!
CoastStarlight99 Member # 2734
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WOW thats nice
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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Wonderful Photos! They really convey the quality of the upgrade. Thanks again.
Big Merl Member # 3251
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quote:Originally posted by mikesmith: And Big Merl, sorry, I never thought to get a picture of the night time setup.
I shall never forgive you for that Seriously, great pics! I just happen to always want weird shots nobody ever thinks of.
Mike Smith Member # 447
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I was like a kid in the candy store. I just couldn't stop exploring the car. In fact, I never spent any time in the sightseer car this trip....
And, Big Merl, I really should have taken a night time setup picture because it was picture perfect and the deep blue blanket against the white sheets made for a great visual.
As a consolation prize, here's a picture of the new chair and paneling in the deluxe sleeper {yes, that is the couch in the mirror}
Big Merl Member # 3251
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Does this car have a regular home yet, or is it just shuffeling along, showing various people what the future will look like?
Southwest Chief Member # 1227
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I think it is being used on the City of New Orleans, but don't quote me on that.
[This message has been edited by Southwest Chief (edited 09-12-2004).]
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Are there plans to refurbish ALL the Superliner I's now?
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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I'm thinking Amtrak needs to take this car, along with an unrefurbished Superliner I for comparison, to Washington DC to show our Congresscritters what they will be buying by properly funding Amtrak for '05.
posted
Thanks, Smitty. Good pics and post. Glad you got to ride in the "new" eqpt. Maybe I'll see 32016 at Dallas Union one day...
------------------ _________Thë Çhîeƒ _|_|_|_|_
Mike Smith Member # 447
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It's possible, Chief. I believe it's bouncing between the Eagle & the City of New Orleans consists.
When we were travelling through Dallas, heading to Ft Worth, I started looking for Joy Smith's business card (I usually have it with me when I'm Amtraking). I left it at the house...
I was going to invite her to the Ft Worth station to check out the renovation. I asked the station attendant to call her, but he stated that she wouldn't make it there on time, so there was no reason to make the call.
Oh well....
CG96 Member # 1408
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quote:Originally posted by Mr. Toy: I'm thinking Amtrak needs to take this car, along with an unrefurbished Superliner I for comparison, to Washington DC to show our Congresscritters what they will be buying by properly funding Amtrak for '05.
quote:Originally posted by JONATHON: Good Idea!
I second this motion. All in favor, type "Aye."
Capltd29 Member # 3292
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AYE
Mike Smith Member # 447
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I'm thinking it would be better if all opposed chimed in. It would be a lot shorter thread!
Here's a picture of the handicap room. It was the only one that kept the old spray everywhere faucet.
Mike Smith Member # 447
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I received a reply from Mr. Gunn. It was a two sentence letter stating that Beech Grove plans on refurbishing a Superliner car every two weeks! Quote "The goal is a car every other week."
WHOOP!!!!!! That's 26 refurbished Superliners a year!
[This message has been edited by mikesmith (edited 09-26-2004).]
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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That may not be a complete rebuild like this one every two weeks. I think that process would necessarily be more gradual. I expect he was including cars getting relatively minor repairs as well.
------------------ Decisions are made by those who show up. VOTE on Nov 2! The Del Monte Club Car
Mike Smith Member # 447
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You be the judge. You know his response. Here's my letter:
Dear Mr. Gunn:
I sent the following letter to your Beech Grove repair facility. They exceeded my expectations regarding the refurbishment of a Superliner I.
I am also sending a letter to my Congress people, requesting that they properly fund the Beech Grove facility with its own appropriation. I’m requesting $50 million a year for the next 3 years, specifically to renovate the aging fleet of Superliners. I am asking that they attach this to the very next appropriations bill that is brought to a vote.
I am excluding the 3rd paragraph from the copy that will be sent to my congress critters. They don’t need to be confused about any minor glitches that probably happened after the car left Beech Grove.
The refurbished car is outstanding. Get the rest done soon.
Great Job, Mike Smith
<copy of letter sent to Beech Grove>
Amtrak Maintenance Department Superliner Remanufacture Program 202 Garstang St. Beech Grove, IN 46107
Congratulations! I am currently on the Texas Eagle. Headed for Austin in your newly refurbished Superliner #32016.
This is an outstanding improvement! The restrooms are a vast, huge, incredible improvement over the old setup! (Can you make the SII’s with the push button?) The shower is awesome, the paneling is superb, the color scheme is pleasing, and the floor is great!
There are two minor problems. The AC is not cold enough. It seems like the filters are dirty (low air flow). I’m wondering if someone confiscated the new ones in Chicago. The announcements are very soft, even with the volume on channel 1 all the way up.
Now, how about an exercise room in the old coach/smokers, with larger windows? Point the bikes and the treadmills towards the larger windows, so we can get some of those calories off that the diner so graciously adds to our bodies.
Can you have the rest of the Superliners refurbished in time for my wife and my annual Amtrak vacation in May 2005?
Seriously, this is how it should be! Great renovation!
Thanks,
Mike Smith
Cc: President Gunn Cc with cover letter: President Bush, Senator Hutchison, Senator Cornyn, and Representative Brady
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