Recently my wife and I took a round trip on Amtrak's Adirondack. Friendly crew, punctual time keeping, and teriffic scenery. Those views were magnified by the full length dome car Ocean View, which was on southbound train 68. But alas, I was informed by the crew that the dome will no longer run on Amtrak, the Adirondack or Downeaster Service. This is another Richard Anderson decision. I was hit with this, when just a few weeks ago, I experienced the "fresh choices" in the almost empty Capital Limited dining car. The now covered sign on the northeast corridor says it all; "Save Amtrak Fire Anderson."
Guess he plans to keep cutting until there is nothing left.
What, if any extra staffing is required to run Ocean View on a train, and does the have any special maintenance requirements?
Also, could the car be getting pulled from service due to some major work being required?
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Yes, it would be appreciatd if a reason for withdrawing the car from service were given.
Johnny
According to the crew, the car doesn't have major issues, but smaller items have been ignored recently since repair crews learned that the car will be pulled from service. Rumor has it that a tourist line in Maine or New York [Adirondack Scenic?] may buy this gem of a car. Numerous passengers commented on the teriffic views afforded by "Ocean View." When the car was taken off at Albany, the Amtrak switching crew allowed photographers a bit of latitude, as we took pictures of what was very likely its' last run on "America's Railroad." They understood. It's a shame Mr. Anderson doesn't get it.
Anderson was not hired to save Amtrak, he was hired to kill it.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
The car is 63 years old, and if the Pacific Parlours could be removed from service for maintenance reasons I'd think this car would be.
On the other hand there's literally nothing on the Amtrak page describing the dome service hinting at this, which indicates to me that we have another pending example of Anderson's brinkmanship -- get it out of 'special expense' status, privatize it if you can, get supporters to commit themselves if they want to keep it.
Someone knowledgeable about the tree damage in Maine in September, perhaps who has detailed pictures or knows the extent of the actual surveyed damage to the car, can comment on whether this is enough to tip policy over into 'early withdrawal' (one of the Amtrak-centric lists had the car being indefinitely laid up at Beech Grove after its springtime season runs, but not before).
Also, I don't think Amtrak can sell the seats in the car. It's a one of a kind car and I have my doubts the seats from it can be placed into the Amtrak reservation system. So essentially it is a non-revenue car where the seats are free and the complete costs of running the car fall on Amtrak.
So look at it from that perspective as if you were a CEO.
I don't think that seats in domes have ever been sold. In CN's Panorama cars that are used on the Jasper-Prince Rupert train, the tourist class passengers have seats in it--and (at least, when I rode it four years ago,) they have access to the Park car that was on the rear.
I have never really liked the full-lentgth domes; you cannot get a good view ahead or behind.
CMStPnPAlso, I don't think Amtrak can sell the seats in the car. It's a one of a kind car and I have my doubts the seats from it can be placed into the Amtrak reservation system. So essentially it is a non-revenue car where the seats are free and the complete costs of running the car fall on Amtrak. So look at it from that perspective as if you were a CEO.
Non-revenue cars came into being in the first place because they attracted passengers - diners, lounges, domes, observation areas all came into existance because the carriers found out that passengers wanted to eat, drink and see the territory they were traveling; and in the day the attracted passenger brought in more revenue than the ammenities cost to operate, thus enhancing the bottom line.
Does the Dome car bring out more paying leaf peepers than happens when the train runs without the dome.
The view from the full length dome is great. I could see ahead; signals, meets, crossings, the whole nine. I love the Sight Seer Lounges, but the full length dome is the best.
If I were the CEO I would not have cancelled the Toys for Tots Train. I would not ignore the press, including Trains Magazine. I would not put forth bogus statistics [as reported in Trains] to justify an agenda regarding the Southwest Chief. I would trim amenities where financially needed, not hack away with little or no comment. I would realize that shirts and hats advocating my firing are not all being bought by irrational foamers. Anyone who has dealt with the public knows that "perspective" denotes many things. Mr. Anderson is esentially a bean counter, the job demands more than that.
SD70Dude Guess he plans to keep cutting until there is nothing left.
Or maybe he is behaving like a true business person. Cut the fluff and use the savings to make what is left better than it would be if the company continues to carry more deadwood than it can support.
Anderson appears to be doing what he was hired to do. Make Amtrak sustainable for the current and future markets. And stop trying to be all things to all people, especially those who won't pay for the services that they insist are rightly theirs.
I applaud Anderson for the steps that he has taken to improve Amtrak's operations. Now, if he could just get rid of the long-distance trains, which are eating the company's successes, he would be deserving of a standing ovation.
Rio Grande Valley, CFI,CFII
skull-48The view from the full length dome is great.
There are two types of full length domes. The budd full length domes had far less of a slope on their front and rear facing glass. The ex-Milwaukee Road Pullman built domes suck in that area though as the front and rear facing glass on them was more sloped and not as vertical as on the budd domes.
PJS1 SD70Dude Guess he plans to keep cutting until there is nothing left. Or maybe he is behaving like a true business person. Cut the fluff and use the savings to make what is left better than it would be if the company continues to carry more deadwood than it can support. Anderson appears to be doing what he was hired to do. Make Amtrak sustainable for the current and future markets. And stop trying to be all things to all people, especially those who won't pay for the services that they insist are rightly theirs. I applaud Anderson for the steps that he has taken to improve Amtrak's operations. Now, if he could just get rid of the long-distance trains, which are eating the company's successes, he would be deserving of a standing ovation.
Name one thing about Amtrak that is better since Anderson took over. Maybe they have better finances and more money but what are they going to do with that money?
Philly Amtrak Fan Name one thing about Amtrak that is better since Anderson took over. Maybe they have better finances and more money but what are they going to do with that money?
PJS1Now, if he could just get rid of the long-distance trains, which are eating the company's successes, he would be deserving of a standing ovation.
The long distance trains should only be run in the summer months as tourist/railfan trains.
These are just a sample of the improvements that have surfaced on Anderson's watch. There probably are many more bubbling below the surface.
In most large organizations improvements stem from teams that do the grunt work and recommend the improvements. Management approves or disapproves them. So, to say Anderson is responsbile for all of them would be a stretch. But he gets credit for approving them on his watch.
Turds are not improvements.
I believe Amtrak submitted a RFI or RFP to replace Amfleet I cars this year as well with a decision date of 2019 sometime.
243129 The long distance trains should only be run in the summer months as tourist/railfan trains.
Agreed!!
CMStPnP I believe Amtrak submitted a RFI or RFP to replace Amfleet I cars this year as well with a decision date of 2019 sometime.
You are correct. It released a RFI on June 27, 2018, for coaches, trainsets, and self-propelled units to replace the Amfleet I equipment. According to Progressive Railroading, Amtrak expects to issue RFPs for new equipment in 2019.
I put the above list together by going through all of Amtrak's Media Releases since July 2017, which is when Anderson joined Amtrak as co-CEO. I did not attempt to list every accomplishment.
An important item is did Anderson use all the funds designated for LD travel. Once the FY18 results come out then we may have an answer if Anderson is killing off LD trains ?
blue streak 1 An important item is did Anderson use all the funds designated for LD travel. Once the FY18 results come out then we may have an answer if Anderson is killing off LD trains ?
I think that is paranoia. Anderson has made mistakes but at least he is trying in various areas vs. sticking with the status quo. Some attempts are going to be a disaster until he gets the learning curve behind him. Look at Restriup and that hideously ugly paisley seat upholstery he approved in the early 70's. Everyone forgets items like that from the past. What about the past Amtrak regulation that all Private Cars be painted in matching Amtrak paint? Nobody remembers that old rule that was in effect a few years and also pissed off private car owners. Or what about the gross microwavable TV dinners on plastic / paper plates. People forgot about that one already. Most of this stuff has happened in the past to some extent and we still have the LD trains.
BTW, Trains just reported via the newswire Amtrak just submitted an RFI for onboard food service due in 2019 to be "transformational" and outsourced on the LD trains. Turns out they are throwing in the towel of experimentation internally for some ideas to be submitted external to Amtrak. Would they be doing that if they wanted to pull the plug on LD? Or are they trying everything possible to meet a Congressional mandate here on food service losses?
http://cs.trains.com/trn/b/fred-frailey/archive/2018/11/05/the-future-of-amtrak-food.aspx
You have waken unpleasant memories for me. In May of 1972, I rode from Birmingham to Decatur in one of those newly reupholstered coaches and was quite unhappy at seeing it; I still shudder when I think of it (I rode back to Birmingham in a roomette in Pacific Castle--which had not been reupholstered (My fiance had come down from Chicago in the roomette, and we had a fine trip to Birmingham)).
As to the diner "meals" of 1982, I still remember them with horror--pay when you are served and not after you have eaten, and the food no better than that at a hamburger joint. The meal service between Rensselaer and Boston was still good, and the meal service from New Orleans to Chicago was good. Before leaving Washington for Greensboro, I ate supper in the miserable substitute for a station in the nation's capital, but I had to put up with the economy service presented on the other trains.
If Anderson would simply take the time to talk to us and tell where he is going we might understand his changes. As of today he is still hiding out is his office, making what seem to be really dumb decisions. Dick, call Don Phillips, or Jim Wrinn or somebody and let us in on your secret plans!
matthewsaggie If Anderson would simply take the time to talk to us and tell where he is going we might understand his changes. As of today he is still hiding out is his office, making what seem to be really dumb decisions. Dick, call Don Phillips, or Jim Wrinn or somebody and let us in on your secret plans!
The suggestion by matthewsaggie seems to be a pretty good place to start withan interview of Richard Anderson.
Another couple of question I would like to hear asked would be:
A.) How many rail miles has Richard Anderson traveled in his job as head of AMTRAK since he has been on the job?
B.) What kind of time has he spent arguing the case for MORE AMTRAK funding?
C.) When he leaves AMTRAK: will he retire or return, back into the Airline industry?
D.) What was his MANDATE when he assumed the job, if any?
Ok,that's two more questons, but I think the answers would tell the interested public where he is taking us? Many feel he is driving the rail passenger, traveling public over a cliff, like a band of lemmings.
DeggestyYou have waken unpleasant memories for me. In May of 1972, I rode from Birmingham to Decatur in one of those newly reupholstered coaches and was quite unhappy at seeing it; I still shudder when I think of it (I rode back to Birmingham in a roomette in Pacific Castle--which had not been reupholstered (My fiance had come down from Chicago in the roomette, and we had a fine trip to Birmingham)).
I saw an old Private Car in New York Central paint on a siding left open to the world (unlocked and doors open), years and years ago. I just peeked in the windows as I was on a raised platform next to the car. The inside was partially gutted but looked like a scene from Studio 54......lol. Black and white checkered marble at the entryways and then a purple red deep shag carpeting, Mirrored cieling in one of the bedrooms (I never would have squatted down to look at the cieling but it was causing a very strange reflection in the compartment almost like a skylight.....so I was curious). One of the other bedrooms was done in orange and green (yuk!). It looked like someones rolling love shack from the disco era.
blue streak 1 An important item is did Anderson use all the funds designated for LD travel.
PJS1 blue streak 1 An important item is did Anderson use all the funds designated for LD travel. Presumably you mean did he spend everything in the FY18 budget that was earmarked for the long-distance trains. Spending everything that is in the budget is not necessarily a good outcome. Did Amtrak spend what was appropriate to optimize the outcomes for the long-distance trains is the relevant question? A competitive business views the budget as a dynamic framework. Differences between the budgeted outcomes and actual outcomes are explained. But many if not most government organizations, including the military, try to spend up to everything that was budgeted on the premise that if they don’t they won’t get the same level of funds for the next budget cycle. Not good financial management! Budgeting has an element a gamesmanship built into it. Unless one has an insider’s access to the budgeting processes, it is nearly impossible to gage the level of gaming built into Amtrak’s budgets.
The question becomes what happens to any surplus appropriations. Is it like other government orginizations that is use it or loose it ? If Amtrak lost it then what ? ?
He doesn't have to "kill them off". He can just kill them. He hasn't.
So....
I think the "kill them off" conspiracy theories need to die. They don't make any sense.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
oltmannd blue streak 1: An important item is did Anderson use all the funds designated for LD travel. Once the FY18 results come out then we may have an answer if Anderson is killing off LD trains ? So.... I think the "kill them off" conspiracy theories need to die. They don't make any sense.
If Anderson wants to terminate the long-distance trains, he would have to get the approval of Amtrak's Board of Directors, Congressional leaders, and key state politicians.
In addition to director and political support, Anderson would need to engage a first class consulting firm to put together the numbers that would show dropping the long-distance trains would be mutually beneficial in the long run.
As the former CEO of Delta Airlines, Anderson probably knows that he cannot pull an end-run around the aforementioned barriers to kill the long-distance trains. Too bad!
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