Barnstorming for publicity

[oltmannd]

Some of the recent threads got me thinking.  When was the last time Amtrak took a train on a national tour to drum up some publicity?

Was the ICE train the last?  (and was that really the manufacturer's tour?)

I know the TurboTrain went on tour in the 60's - pre Amtrak.  I seem to think there were others.  Did the Superliners go on tour when new?  How about the Talgos?

Too bad, they didn't grab some Acela coaches and the FRA/Bombardier JetTrain loco before it was dismantled and go on tour with it.  Coulda drummed up some publicity for new corridors....

Kummant seems to be interested in developing corridors.  Maybe a new tour with some local joyrides is in order.  Grab an Acela trainset less locomotives and plop a P42 on each end?

[AntonioFP45]

It's usually the same old drill:  Excellent idea.....no money availabe for it.  Add to that, the major freight railroads that Amtrak currently operates on make it difficult and expensive for Amtrak to run anything "extra"; especially on the long single track line sections.   

Back in the early 80s Amtrak did have a short "show off" test train tour for the new Amfleet II coaches.  I got to see it and took some photos.  Amtrak did also show off the then "new" Superliners in the western U.S. 

Hopefully with its increasing popularity and a hopeful "glimmer" for improved funding, Amtrak will be able to run showcase trains as was done in the past. 

[HarveyK400]

Barnstorming through Chicago has been popular.

It wasn't on tour at the time; but I rode the Aero Train from Chicago to Blue Island in commuter service. 

The UA Turbo Train went through here to Pueblo in 1967.  I never had the chance to ride it when I was in New York.

The ANF RTG went on demonstration runs in 1973 before entering service to Saint Louis, Detroit, and Milwaukee.

I rode the Fiat diesel railcar that was tested in service briefly on the Rock Island. 

I rode the LRC demo trip to Joliet over the Santa Fe before they entered Canadian and Chicago-Toronto service via Port Huron.

I rode the X2000 demonstration to Dwight - absolutely the smoothest trip ever and has to be easy on the track structure.

I rode the ICE demonstration to Hammond - never had much of a chance to see what it could do.  Most of the running was at 40mph or less.

I rode the Cascade Talgo here before it went in service; and also on a trip from Seattle to Portland just a few years ago.  I was impressed after all the negative comments.

I missed riding the Danish DMUs in demonstration service on the Hiawathas. 

[karldotcom]

I was a little dismayed to learn that Amtrak management in LA did everything they could to make the ATSF3751 trip from LA to San Diego not happen. (using Amtrak Heritage equipment)   When it finally was a sure thing, the train sells out. 

The Coast Starlight reroutes through Tehachapi also sold out both ways, and generated a tremendous amount of interest and some local press.  Amtrak was a little more accommodating by opening up Bakersfield as a station stop.   As a result, I know a whole lot of people planning on booking the next trip if it does indeed happen in Sept/Oct.