As late as 1967, in the summer UP would split the combined Cities of LA/SF into sleeper and coach sections east of Ogden.
Amtrak did run a handful of extra sections in the early 1970's. TRAINS had a picture of an extra section of the "Empire Builder" which ran between Chicago and Minneapolis.
Into the mid to late 1960's, ATSF would split the "Super Chief" and "El Capitan" into separate sections during peak periods.
According to Dubin in Some Classic Trains both the NYC and ACL ran 7 section trains: 1/7/29- 20th Century Ltd; 2/29/36- Florida Special.
After Amtrak day there were a few extra sections but no by Amtrak. SOU RR ran extras ATL - WASH round trip of the Crescent during high travel times. Christmas, Thanksgiving, fourth, easter, etc. Sometimes more than one extra. As well often ran some as safety patrol sections to WASH as well.
None of these went north of WASH as Amtrak did not have enough motive powere to provide steam to cars for heat and A/C.
SOU kept a large contingent of stainless steel and heavy weight coaches until it finally decided they were needing replacement. SOU paid to join Amtrak. Amtrak took some of the stainless cars but do not remember disposition.
The Central, for one, ran multiple sections of at least one train, the Century, on almost a daily basis.
When has Amtrak run a second section?
In the good old days, how often did railroads run multiple sections? I think I remember reading a story ages ago that at least one day either the New York Central or the Pennsylvania ran 5 sections of the 20th Century or Broadway Limited. Of course it could have been just a story, or my old man's faulty memory.
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dakotafred In pre-Amtrak days, all could have been provided for with a second section of the regularly scheduled train. I'm wondering -- assuming Amtrak even had the spare equipment -- if the host railroad would be obliged to accommodate such a thing.
In pre-Amtrak days, all could have been provided for with a second section of the regularly scheduled train. I'm wondering -- assuming Amtrak even had the spare equipment -- if the host railroad would be obliged to accommodate such a thing.
I suspect, but don't know, that there may be some provisions for Amtrak to operate a second section of a scheduled train, with that being said, I have no idea what the charges would be for such a second section.
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blue streak 1 Another site says it is a charter for the Howard univerity band that attended a function in CHI.
Another site says it is a charter for the Howard univerity band that attended a function in CHI.
blue streak 1 Another site says it is a charter for the Howard univerity band that attended a function in CHI. They would cancel the regularly scheduled train over one of their main routes to run a charter???????? Doesn't the legislation governing Amtrak prohibit this? blue streak 1 Another site says it is a charter for the Howard univerity band that attended a function in CHI.
They would cancel the regularly scheduled train over one of their main routes to run a charter???????? Doesn't the legislation governing Amtrak prohibit this?
NKP guy I'm sure BaltACD is correct on this point. But I can't find the answer to this question: How far ahead of time did Amtrak tell passengers in Elyria, Cleveland, and Alliance that train 30 was cancelled for the night of 16/17 September? I'm scheduled to ride #30 from Cleveland to Washington on a Saturday in late October; what chance is there that my train will be cancelled, leaving me without transportation? I find myself slack-jawed that Amtrak would do this (cancel a train) without giving ticketed passengers options! How much warning did Amtrak give passengers?
I'm sure BaltACD is correct on this point. But I can't find the answer to this question: How far ahead of time did Amtrak tell passengers in Elyria, Cleveland, and Alliance that train 30 was cancelled for the night of 16/17 September?
I'm scheduled to ride #30 from Cleveland to Washington on a Saturday in late October; what chance is there that my train will be cancelled, leaving me without transportation? I find myself slack-jawed that Amtrak would do this (cancel a train) without giving ticketed passengers options!
How much warning did Amtrak give passengers?
My guess, and it is only that, I suspect Amtrak would not take any reservations for the train once the 'special party' was booked - how far in advance that party was booked is open to question, however, with how big events for colleges are scheduled, I am guessing the 'special party' was booked a year or more ago
A function of Amtrak not having enough equipment to run 'Special Trains'. As I recall trains #97 & #98 were cancelled to the general public when the West Palm Beach Safety Patrol made their yearly pilgrimage to DC and back.
The eastbound Capitol Limited (train 30) for the 26th is listed as a cancellation. However, there is a train #930 that left Chicago at 10pm with stops only in Toledo, Pittsburgh, Cumberland and a destination of Washington. I believe those stops are the crew change points. Can anyone explain what is going on?
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