pullman journeys

[106crewchief]

I can't seem to pull up any schedule or fare info for the Iowa/Pacicfic Pullman service from Chicago to N.O. Is it still in operation? Thanks John Slover 

[BLS53]

Looks like the service was discontinued in 2016:

http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2016/01/04-pullman-rail-journeys

 

 

[106crewchief]

Thanks for the info. Guess that's why I couldn't get any feedback :-). Guess we'll try the regular Amtrak sleeper to N.O. later this year  Thanks again  John Slover

[CMStPnP]

My interpretation here..... the costs of a second locomotive not as much to blame as the thin margins the service was operating under.   For example, Mr. Ellis could buy an Amtrak locomotive and supply it himself if the costs Amtrak charges were a huge concern but even then I don't think his thin operating margins would pay for the cost.    I also have my doubts he was covering the long-term maintenence costs of the cars he was running.....as far as ever being able to afford new replacements.    We will never know since it was a private company and privately funded.    Which also gives the owner the luxury to say whatever he wants about it's demise.

[schlimm]

CMStPnP

 We will never know since it was a private company and privately funded.    Which also gives the owner the luxury to say whatever he wants about it's demise.

My hunch (no inside knowledge whatsoever!) is that Ellis ran a shoestring operation, maybe even below cost, on the Hoosier State experiment as a way of getting a shoe(!) in the door for more future contracts that would have paid better.   It is also possible Ellis' cost estimates were inaccurate.