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I m not sure whats going on with this new diner situation on the LD trains. Is the Sightseer lounge car gone? Im taking a short trip on the Capitol Limited this weekend. Any info?
MDRR Member # 2992
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They are still operating with 2 food service cars, however The new menu in the dining car was started this week.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Are they planning to remove the observation seats all through the observation (sightseer) car on the Superliner (doubledecker) trains and make that for dining too? Last year the Empire Builder had tables in about half the observation car (not really for dining; families were playing games on them, very comfortably) but the old seats (facing the windows) in the other half. I thought they were doing something like that again, only using them more for food too.
Does anyone know if the plan is to allow passengers to access the observation-car-turned-dining-car and sit there without eating? Or if we will be able to bring in our own food?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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I received an on-board trip report from 30(19) that there was a Sightseer in consist and the Snack Bar was open.
I don't think 'bring your own food' has been allowed in the Sightseer. It seems as if the rule has been that if Amtrak sells food in the car, there will be no passenger procured food in same.
But then again, "local enforcement' of any such provisions have a way of being "local enforcement".
"Please note that federal health regulations prohibit Amtrak personnel from handling your food, heating it in our ovens, or storing it in our refrigerators." You also can not drink your private stock of alcohol onboard, unless you are in a Sleeping Car room.
Other than that, I don't think there's any rules about where you can consume your own food, just as long as you use common sense (don't block the aisles with your large cooler).
MDRR Member # 2992
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There are written rules...and there are unwritten rules regarding personal food in the lounge car. I think Mr Norman sums it up nicely, including the reference to local rules...
sojourner Member # 3134
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I generally bring my own food when I travel coach, or at least get some takeout food that I buy in the train station; except for beverages and sometimes candy or nuts, I don't like Amtrak snack bar offerings too much. I would never take that food to the tables in the lower lounge of a Superliner, where the snack bar serves its own food--I presume those tables are for cash customers. But I do sometimes eat some of it in the observation car, since I don't like to miss anything! If they were to put tables in the whole observation car, I would still be tempted to take the food there.
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