It is clear that the Pullman operation is doing quite well in helping Amtrak.
In incremental fuel (about 1/6 gallon a mile) and trackage rates, it costs about $0.60/carmile to haul a car. So NRPC is netting more than $3000/trip (4x variable cost) assuming the smallest consist or $1/3 million a year.
MidlandMike <snip> It seems I also heard that IPH must pay toward an extra engine.
<snip> It seems I also heard that IPH must pay toward an extra engine.
schlimm MidlandMike I don't know if it would be attractive to the average businessman, however, I understand there is considerable activity in businesses reserving blocks of rooms for conferences. It seems I also heard that IPH must pay toward an extra engine. They also have a Pullman Conductor. A once a week train is, by defintion, not designed for a business traveller. Neither is the price likely to meet approval by the bean counters
MidlandMike I don't know if it would be attractive to the average businessman, however, I understand there is considerable activity in businesses reserving blocks of rooms for conferences. It seems I also heard that IPH must pay toward an extra engine. They also have a Pullman Conductor.
I don't know if it would be attractive to the average businessman, however, I understand there is considerable activity in businesses reserving blocks of rooms for conferences. It seems I also heard that IPH must pay toward an extra engine. They also have a Pullman Conductor.
A once a week train is, by defintion, not designed for a business traveller. Neither is the price likely to meet approval by the bean counters
As I pointed out, this is not for the average business trip. I'm sure that group sales don't pay the rack rate. Executive business junkets seem to get a pass by bean counters, just like company leased suites at sports stadiums.
MidlandMike CSSHEGEWISCH The service may not be a land cruise, but a weekly schedule suggests that it is obviously aimed at the tourist trade and not the business traveler. It would also be interesting to consider how much of a moneymaker this service would be if Iowa Pacific had to provide its own power and operating crews instead of contracting with Amtrak to move a number of private cars between Chicago and New Orleans on a scheduled train. I don't know if it would be attractive to the average businessman, however, I understand there is considerable activity in businesses reserving blocks of rooms for conferences. It seems I also heard that IPH must pay toward an extra engine. They also have a Pullman Conductor.
CSSHEGEWISCH The service may not be a land cruise, but a weekly schedule suggests that it is obviously aimed at the tourist trade and not the business traveler. It would also be interesting to consider how much of a moneymaker this service would be if Iowa Pacific had to provide its own power and operating crews instead of contracting with Amtrak to move a number of private cars between Chicago and New Orleans on a scheduled train.
The service may not be a land cruise, but a weekly schedule suggests that it is obviously aimed at the tourist trade and not the business traveler. It would also be interesting to consider how much of a moneymaker this service would be if Iowa Pacific had to provide its own power and operating crews instead of contracting with Amtrak to move a number of private cars between Chicago and New Orleans on a scheduled train.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
schlimm MidlandMike Pullman's website indicates they make a weekly round trip. Reading the Pullman website linked, trains depart Chicago: Apr. 2 and 23; May 14; June 18; July 16, 23, 30; Aug. 13, 20, 27 and weekly mostly the remainder of the year.
MidlandMike Pullman's website indicates they make a weekly round trip.
Pullman's website indicates they make a weekly round trip.
Reading the Pullman website linked, trains depart Chicago:
Apr. 2 and 23; May 14; June 18; July 16, 23, 30; Aug. 13, 20, 27 and weekly mostly the remainder of the year.
As another poster indicated, the weeks not listed were sold out. Ed Ellis also confirms this in another recent Fred Fraley blog where he indicated that most recent trips were sold out.
It wouldn't make a profit. Ic couldn't do with the panama ltd and Amtrak can't do with the city of new Orleans.
CSSHEGEWISCH It would also be interesting to consider how much of a moneymaker this service would be if Iowa Pacific had to provide its own power and operating crews instead of contracting with Amtrak to move a number of private cars between Chicago and New Orleans on a scheduled train.
It would also be interesting to consider how much of a moneymaker this service would be if Iowa Pacific had to provide its own power and operating crews instead of contracting with Amtrak to move a number of private cars between Chicago and New Orleans on a scheduled train.
Power and crewsare relatively easy. Access is the hard part particularly if the operator, unlike ATK has to pay market price for it.
Mac
Weekly vs. "Apr. 2 and 23; May 14; June 18..."
I am fairly sure those dates quoted by another poster are the dates when rooms are still available. In other words rooms are sold out on other dates near to departure. They use a demand based system. The 4/2/2015 departure pricing for example is higher than the base pricing.
They have weekly schedule loaded in the reservation system till 12/2016.
Sorry if you thought my comment was what you considered shady. I just wanted to drive home the point that value is driven by perception. One man's subway ride is another mans ride on Pullman. Pullman ride might be compared to a transatlantic flight. Why do some feel the need to up grade from coach to first class spending 1000's more? Coach gets you thier, but first class is a value some are willing to spend for a bettrt trip and a good nights rest.
Pullman on that route works for me, must work for others since its still in service.
I hope I made this snark free.
ROBERT WILLISON Not a snarky response nothing you mentioned is a " land tour" look a little deeper. You pay for what you get. You can find quite a few exceptional rail land tour in Europe. I may not be correct but I think via is offering thier new service at like 3000.00 from Toronto to Vancouver. I'll do a little digging on my own.
Not a snarky response nothing you mentioned is a " land tour" look a little deeper. You pay for what you get. You can find quite a few exceptional rail land tour in Europe.
I may not be correct but I think via is offering thier new service at like 3000.00 from Toronto to Vancouver. I'll do a little digging on my own.
To compare riding the same daily train on Amtrak to a subway ride is not snarky, it's ridiculous. But you are correct, the Pullman CoNOLA is not a land cruise, just an overnight train, which might be fine for you, but which many would consider overpriced compared with the quality of the alternatives. As for Europe, I never have needed to partake of group package tours nor would I want to.
That is correct, they run weekly each way to serve the weekend market. I have seen anywhere from 2-5 cars. A full dome was on last week. I had the best travel experience I have ever had on board in 2014.
Via prestige class Toronto to Vancouver for 2, a August 12 departure, just 7300 and change in Canadian dollars. Thier are certainly are modes of transportation between those two points, but your not buying transportation but an experience. Is it a value? It based on budget and perspective. In my book, Pullman was a value, maybe not for others. I enjoyed both the service the experience and another night in a 10/6 sleeper.
ROBERT WILLISONGuess it depends on what your looking for. The service was great, the equipment was good. Where else can you book a roomette or section? If you want cheap or ordinary I guess Amtrak or a subway is a possibility.
Pretty snarky and inane comment. You could ride elsewhere in the same train on Amtrak and book a family bedroom for $510, less than half the price. Or fly, stay in a fine hotel and dine in a 5-star restaurant in NOLA for the same or less. To compare Amtrak to a subway is simply silly. And one could take the CNL night train in a deluxe compartment for 289 Euro ($318) from Munich to Venice.
Guess it depends on what your looking for. The service was great, the equipment was good. Where else can you book a roomette or section? If you want cheap or ordinary I guess Amtrak or a subway is a possibility.
There are far more expensive land rail tours in Europe. So I guess it a matter of perspective and budget.
What can be said its almost the last of its kind in north America with exception of via, which last time rode wasn't cheap or the service levels as high.
The Pullman CNOLA is strictly a land cruise. Departure 1-2 times per month with a price tag of $1147 for a bedroom one way is certainly not much of a value.
Its still in service and a great ride, rode them two years ago. Its not inexpensive but a good value for the money.
https://www.travelpullman.com/
Editor Emeritus, This Week at Amtrak
I have not heard many updates.. I was planing a trip but dont know whats going on.
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