Surf line trains overloaded ?

[PJS1]

David Lassen

On the verge of locking this one down because it's gotten a long way from the original topic. Thoughts? Objections? 

Before you lock it, here are a few additional thoughts regarding my recent trip on Pacific Surfliner # 774 from Santa Barbara to San Diego.

The train was approximately 15 minutes late getting into Santa Barbara, but we went into LAX pretty much on time.  From LAX to San Diego the train was on-time.

I had a very comfortable seat in the business class car.  The car was squeaky clean, and the ride was smooth.  The crew was friendly, courteous, and helpful.  I have ridden with the conductor before; she always answers my questions in a cheerful and friendly manner.

Portions of the trip from Santa Barbara to LAX and from LAX to San Diego run along the coast.  February 28th was a sunny albeit chilly day in southern California; the scenery was spectacular. 

Business class passengers get a snack, which can be enough for lunch, plus a drink.  And the drink can be a glass of wine or a beer.  It is included in the price of the business class ticket.

I grabbed a bite in the café car.  As shown in the link, the menu is decent for an Amtrak café car.

https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/menus/routes/Pacific-Surfliner-Cafe-Menu-0616-r.pdf

Most of the Surfliners have an Amtrak coach in the consist.  In most instances, I believe, it is the quite car.  The Amtrak cars are painted in its colors  as opposed to the scheme for the California cars.  Does anyone know why?

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

The California cars are in different colors because they are owned by California DOT, same as the equipment on the "San Joaquins".

[PJS1]

CSSHEGEWISCH

The California cars are in different colors because they are owned by California DOT, same as the equipment on the "San Joaquins". 

Thanks for the information.  Since the cars are still in Amtrak's color scheme, does this mean that they are leased to California DOT and, therefore, could be reclaimed by Amtrak if it needed the equipment?  

One of the Surfliner schedules consists of Amfleet I or II cars.  It appears that they make just one roundtrip a day between LAX and San Diego.  Presumably these cars are owned by Amtrak and used to supplement the California cars.  Is this correct?

[Big Bill]

There is no provision for the FRA, the FCC and a host of other federal agencies either. Never underestimate what can be done under the constitution.

[YoHo1975]

Wait, I thought CDOT bought the superliners from the Beech Grove repair line and rehabilitated them? Looks like both the surfliner cars and the superliners AMTK numbers, but I could have sworn those cars were paid for by Ca. As far as I know they just didn't choose to give them a full repaint. It has nothing to do with ownership. Also, I guess they're bringing the surplus Talgo sets down? Is that still true? Or are they going up to the Cascades now?

[SD70Dude]

YoHo1975

Also, I guess they're bringing the surplus Talgo sets down? Is that still true? Or are they going up to the Cascades now?

Is that set still surplus after the 501 wreck?

[NorthWest]

Talgos are still stuck at Beech Grove though one set went to TTC for PTC testing a month or so back. A superliner set is filling in for one of the two wrecked sets.

[YoHo1975]

2 wrecked sets? Cascades has 2 wrecks? I thought just 501? I had heard one of the sets at Beech grove was going.

[BaltACD]

YoHo1975

2 wrecked sets? Cascades has 2 wrecks? I thought just 501? I had heard one of the sets at Beech grove was going.

Remember the set that got damaged when it ran through a split rail derail on the approach to a drawbridge.