Southbound December 23rd from Chicago. Decision was made that the interior and exterior of Lounge car was not clean enough, car was sent back to be cleaned and removed from train consist. Car was not returned in time and Texas Eagle departed without Lounge car.....leaving it behind in Chicago. Shortest Texas Eagle I ever saw myself. Locomotive - Sleeping Car - Dining Car - Coach Baggage and Coach Car (4 cars total). OK with this decision, get rid of the dirty car. Use half the dining car as a replacement.
Northbound January 1st from Dallas. Assigned Bedroom with door handle of shower busted completely off so that door would not stay closed. Passenger complained and was initially told they would have to travel to downstairs to use the bathroom and shower there. Rightfully, they protested and stated maybe they would have to use the waste basket since their ability to travel between floors while train was moving was difficult at best. Train crew assigned her a neighboring bedroom that was empty at that station stop (which is what they should have done in the first place, who knows why they could not replace the door or even sold the compartment in that state.). Do not understand why they could not replace or fix the door prior to departing the last layover with some simple leg work. Can't imgine it is that difficult to remove from hinges and replace a bathroom door in a Bedroom.
CMStPnP Rightfully, they protested and stated maybe they would have to use the waste basket since their ability to travel between floors while train was moving was difficult at best.
Rightfully, they protested and stated maybe they would have to use the waste basket since their ability to travel between floors while train was moving was difficult at best.
Have to love the public.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
Is not my Job man.....
With regard to the bathroom door -- I am mindful of the publicity disaster Amtrak caused over removal of a couple of rows of track seating to accommodate those scooter users. The claim was that the car had to be deadheaded to and from Beech Grove to do the work, and then deadheaded again after the trip to restore original condition. There may be both craft and Government restrictions on certain types of maintenance or repair.
OvermodThere may be both craft and Government restrictions on certain types of maintenance or repair.
Agree but Unions are not stupid and in my view and experience most take a common sense approach to customer service if the scenario is laid out in their contract. I don't think any union would have an issue over-riding work rules for a client service issue like this OR amending their contract to handle the scenario efficiently.
Thats why I suspect it is Amtrak having spare parts in only one location......Beach Grove, and no ability to fast ship them to anywhere on their network.
zugmann CMStPnP Rightfully, they protested and stated maybe they would have to use the waste basket since their ability to travel between floors while train was moving was difficult at best. Have to love the public.
Have to love the public that loves that public!
CMStPnP Overmod There may be both craft and Government restrictions on certain types of maintenance or repair. Agree but Unions are not stupid and in my view and experience most take a common sense approach to customer service if the scenario is laid out in their contract. I don't think any union would have an issue over-riding work rules for a client service issue like this OR amending their contract to handle the scenario efficiently. Thats why I suspect it is Amtrak having spare parts in only one location......Beach Grove, and no ability to fast ship them to anywhere on their network.
Overmod There may be both craft and Government restrictions on certain types of maintenance or repair.
Even 'Next Day Air' is too slow to supply parts when equipment gets turned in less than 24 hours.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
BaltACDEven 'Next Day Air' is too slow to supply parts when equipment gets turned in less than 24 hours.
I could make it happen with the train schedule in one hand and UPS or Fed Ex on the phone.
CMStPnP BaltACD Even 'Next Day Air' is too slow to supply parts when equipment gets turned in less than 24 hours. I could make it happen with the train schedule in one hand and UPS or Fed Ex on the phone.
BaltACD Even 'Next Day Air' is too slow to supply parts when equipment gets turned in less than 24 hours.
Getting the needed parts ready for shipment is another consideration. Many parts exceed the limits that UPS & FedEx will accept for priority shipments.
Example AutoTrain - arrives destination 9 AM and Departs 4 PM. When it comes in a 9 AM you are not going to source parts from Beech Grove in time to have them installed for a 4 PM departure.
BaltACDExample AutoTrain - arrives destination 9 AM and Departs 4 PM. When it comes in a 9 AM you are not going to source parts from Beech Grove in time to have them installed for a 4 PM departure.
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