They had quite a few first time passengers on the Texas Eagle when I rode it over the Christmas holidays, I was very impressed with how Amtrak is turning over their Economy Bedrooms. Northbound we had two lower Economy bedrooms taken by a Family headed between Dallas and Little Rock, AR, as soon as they got off they werre filled again by two parties boarding in Little Rock. Southbound the same happened with my Economy Bedroom, the attendent cleaned and restocked the bedroom right before Dallas and as soon as I got off another party boarded Dallas to San Antonio, TX.
So it makes me wonder if that is the case over a Holiday period how much they are making on those Sleeping Cars on a Holiday period. I know on other parts of the year, some of those sleeping car compartments run empty for considerable distances. We will probably never find out though how much better they do on a Holiday period.
We also had three sleeping cars Northbound, two for clients and one for predominantly crew.
Amtrak's Thanksgiving and Christmas travel figures are yet to be announced. The below link already has VIA's christmas numbers.
https://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/VIA-Rail-rang-out-the-holidays-with-higher-revenue--56492
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