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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.
sbalax Member # 2801
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It was there when I saw #14 in SLO ON TIME(!) on 02/03/06!
Frank in dark but warm SBA
PaulB Member # 4258
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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.
rY Member # 3528
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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..)
Amtrak207 Member # 1307
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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.
Room Service Member # 2405
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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?
PaulB Member # 4258
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I doubt it. They would probably need an attendant to watch over that car. Better to just close it off.
PullmanCo Member # 1138
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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.
PaulB Member # 4258
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Amtrak's November Monthly Report states they are scheduled for an overhaul. So they should last a few more years.
PullmanCo Member # 1138
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We'll see. First they have to arrive at Beech Grove, then we'll see if the inspectors approve them.
If the cost of overhaul is greater than perceived value by management... see that line over there? It's called the Dead Line.
I'll believe they were successfully shopped when they return to California.
sbalax Member # 2801
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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.
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