What's up Wichita ?

[blue streak 1]

Sam1

The Texas Eagle (#s 21 and 22) does not have a baggage car.  It has a baggage coach, which means that the lower portion of one of the coaches has been converted for checked baggage service.  One of the train persons handles the baggage on and off chores.  

Thanks for the info I stand corrected.

[John WR]

Sam1

Just got back from a roundtrip on the Eagle from Taylor to Dallas.  All up it was a good trip.  I rode coach both ways and had lunch in the dinning car.  Good value for the money.

I'm happy to hear you enjoyed your trip, Sam, and I hope you enjoy more of them.  

Last weekend I had a pleasant trip from New York to Providence and back the same day.  My Northeast Regional train has no diner; just a snack bar.  So I stopped at Zaro's in Penn Station for coffee and a couple of good rolls.  And I met my brothers for lunch so I didn't need to eat on the way back.  

John

[Anonymous]

The Texas Eagle (#s 21 and 22) does not have a baggage car.  It has a baggage coach, which means that the lower portion of one of the coaches has been converted for checked baggage service.  One of the train persons handles the baggage on and off chores.  

Just got back from a roundtrip on the Eagle from Taylor to Dallas.  All up it was a good trip.  I rode coach both ways and had lunch in the dinning car.  Good value for the money.

Riding coach on the long distance trains is a gamble.  Some times you wind up with a neat seat mate; other times you can find yourself next to someone who can be an ordeal, in which case a hasty retreat to the lounge car is in order. This time I drew a lucky card. I was seated next to a young man who was on a four month Amtrak trip around the United States.  He started in Portland, Oregon and plans to cover every mile of the Amtrak system.  Turned out he is a contract programmer for a LAX firm and can work from anywhere, including the train. We shared a mutual interest in computers and programming, which is one of my skill sets.

No 22 was 27 minutes late leaving Taylor.  It had to make a double stop in McGregor and Cleburne.  It went into Forth Worth about 10 minutes late and was nearly on time into Dallas.  

No. 21 arrived in Dallas at 11:14 a.m. as opposed to its carded time of 11:30.  It arrived in Fort Worth at 1:10 p.m, where it laid over until 2:10. The Eagle has so much fat built into its schedule that it probably could make double stops at every station that it serves and doing so would not have a significant impact on its schedule performance. 

[blue streak 1]

schlimm

Perhaps the shortage would be less if the order for new baggage cars were changed to coaches?  priorities, priorities.

Do not believe so.  The baggage cars are single level.  The Heartland flyer and if it carries thru cars to Southwest limited both trains are superliners.

That being said the first Bi-level cars that are now on order for the midwest trains and California cars could be expanded for more bi-level cars.  IMHO at least 200 more bi-levels are needed so write you congress persons. 

According to a source many of the present heritage baggage cars are falling apart and have become very costly to repair.  According to the monthly performance reports percentage wise at least twice as many baggage cars are in Beech Grove for maintenance and overhaul. as other types of cars. Many of the old baggage cars are limited to 90 MPH which is even too slow for the Eagle on the CHI  --  STL  HrSR much less the 125 desired on the NEC.

One reason Eagle is only going 79 MPH on the HrSR route.

 

 

Remember reducing mainenance costs is a priority as these costs go to operating expenses. AMTRAK wants to reduce operating costs as a top priority.

[oltmannd]

I am underwhelmed...

I have a big announcement!  I like chocolate ice cream!

[schlimm]

Perhaps the shortage would be less if the order for new baggage cars were changed to coaches?  priorities, priorities.

[Deggesty]

Perhaps the three mayors could persuade their taxpayers and the taxpayers of the other cities that would be served to provide the funds necessary to buy and maintain the equipment and stations and pay the personnel  that are needed to provide the service which would connect thir cities?

[blue streak 1]

Here is the big announcement.  Once again nnoe of these Pols realize that there is a serious lack of equipmjent. Will edit it into original post.

http://media.kansas.com/smedia/2013/05/10/14/49/xn1Hy.So.80.pdf

Pols all over the country especially congress needs to understand the equipment shortage ! ! !

 

[schlimm]

it would be historically inaccurate as to route, but maybe the Katy Flyer?

[oltmannd]

CSSHEGEWISCH

Another possibility might be an extension of the "Heartland Flyer" (this train needs a better name) north from Oklahoma City.

I think you might be right.  Did some internet snooping.  That's the press's best guess.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Another possibility might be an extension of the "Heartland Flyer" (this train needs a better name) north from Oklahoma City.

[oltmannd]

SWAG:  SW Chief reroute.

[blue streak 1]

All right all you guessers what's up ?

http://www.kansas.com/2013/05/06/2791389/passenger-rail-supporters-say.html

 EDIT MAY 11  ---  Here is the big (?) announcement

http://media.kansas.com/smedia/2013/05/10/14/49/xn1Hy.So.80.pdf