Amtrak replaces pandemic food (cat food) on it's Western Long Distance Routes.

[York1]

I have not kept up with Amtrak legislation.

Did the Congress change their rule that Amtrak's food service was required to break even by the end of 2020?

[rixflix]

No Aramark puleeze. They absorbed Harry M. Stevens Co. back when. Stevens handled MLB parks in many cities and had those concessions organized. If any old Stevens hands are still kicking, hire them for the planning but not for the menu.

Rick 

[RKFarms]

For something more "regional" on the Cardinal, how about Wabash River carp and Ohio river catfish on the southbound run out of Chicago and Indy.

[charlie hebdo]

JPS1

In FY19 Amtrak lost $41.3 million on its food and beverage services.  In FY20 the loss jumped significantly.  For FY21 the company estimates the loss will be $94.2 million.  According to the IG, approximately 95% of the food and beverage losses are attributable to the long-distance trains.

 

A case can be made for taxpayer supported long-distance coach trains to points not served by an alternative mode of transport.  The justification for having the taxpayers underwrite the cost of meal service escapes me. 

 

Food and beverage service is important for long-distance trains.  The riders should pay the fully allocated cost of it.  Even if it is just for a Moose Burger delivered trainside!

 

Find an outside vendor in the food and beverage business who can provide better quality food with lower costs than Amtrak.  Charge patrons of dining cars for meals they want, not this "free" meals for sleeping car passengers  only. 

[SD70Dude]

I know right?  Sigh.  And of all the names we could have chosen, we had to pick the one that B.C's namesake habitually eats.  

I would have gone with Eagles, which are far more common in the city than elk, but I suppose they thought ripping off one NFL team is enough (we already have Green Bay's colours).  

Elk are hated by farmers due to their tendency to wreck fences and destroy a disproportionate amount of hay compared to moose or deer.  They are also quite stupid around trains, just like all their other four legged friends.

[54light15]

Speaking of Elk, the CFL team called the Edmonton Eskimos changed their name to the Elks. Think of the sports headlines- "Argos Roast Elks"  and such. But, the plural of Elk is Elk. 

About Runnymede versus Runnemede- it's been over 40 years since I was there. My memory she ain't so good sometimes. 

[SD70Dude]

Overmod

SD70Dude

Train-caught moose burgers, freshly ground.

And all these years I thought it was the train that did the grinding.  But I thought it was the nose that was the regional delicacy, and that doesn't care about the degree of homogenization -- does it?

Two-four, ten-four, make mine Blue.

The nose is an acquired taste, though I'm sure the diner crew would be happy to prepare it upon request, assuming of course that they could still find it after the grinding process.....

Upon reading the fine print it seems that VIA reserves the right to substitute elk, deer or several other species depending on availability.  

[BaltACD]

JPS1

In FY19 Amtrak lost $41.3 million on its food and beverage services.  In FY20 the loss jumped significantly.  For FY21 the company estimates the loss will be $94.2 million.  According to the IG, approximately 95% of the food and beverage losses are attributable to the long-distance trains. 

A case can be made for taxpayer supported long-distance coach trains to points not served by an alternative mode of transport.  The justification for having the taxpayers underwrite the cost of meal service escapes me. 

 

Food and beverage service is important for long-distance trains.  The riders should pay the fully allocated cost of it.  Even if it is just for a Moose Burger delivered trainside!

 

With Amtrak's 'cost accounting' those losses could easily have been credited to any aspect of their operation they want to show in a unfavorable light.  Thoughts and Prayers.

With those losses it is evident Amtrak is one burger or less from each moose, or maybe they are going after Hollywood moose, like Bullwinkle with a squirrel chaser.

[JPS1]

In FY19 Amtrak lost $41.3 million on its food and beverage services.  In FY20 the loss jumped significantly.  For FY21 the company estimates the loss will be $94.2 million.  According to the IG, approximately 95% of the food and beverage losses are attributable to the long-distance trains.

 

A case can be made for taxpayer supported long-distance coach trains to points not served by an alternative mode of transport.  The justification for having the taxpayers underwrite the cost of meal service escapes me. 

 

Food and beverage service is important for long-distance trains.  The riders should pay the fully allocated cost of it.  Even if it is just for a Moose Burger delivered trainside!

[Overmod]

Isn't it "Runnemede"?

[54light15]

On the NEC between NYC and Philly, serve cheese steaks from Marino's on Black Horse Pike in Runnymede, NJ. The best philly cheese steaks are not made in Philadelphia. 

[Overmod]

There is also the beef on weck (billed on the menu as GFCF kummelweck) in #3.  Easy to prepare and sous-vide reheat.  Heavy on the horseradish, please.

[Overmod]

SD70Dude

Train-caught moose burgers, freshly ground.

And all these years I thought it was the train that did the grinding.  But I thought it was the nose that was the regional delicacy, and that doesn't care about the degree of homogenization -- does it?

Two-four, ten-four, make mine Blue.

[SD70Dude]

NKP guy

Note:  Amtrak's famous regional specialties, Possum & a 6-pack, and Freshly Butchered Venison will be available on the Cardinal only. 

Not to be outdone, VIA Rail has their own variation:  Train-caught moose burgers, freshly ground.  (watch out for the crunchy bits!)

I'd recommend the beaver instead, it pares well with the complimentary two-four (your choice of Molson, Labatt or Kokanee)

[CMStPnP]

NKP guy

   I have it on good authority that the dining cars on the Lake Shore Limited this autumn will be serving these regional dishes:

1.  Chicago to Toledo:  Kielbasa, Kisczka, Pierogies, and Paczki.  

2.  Toledo to Buffalo:  Walleye, Lake Perch, Whitefish, Sweet Corn, Paczki

3.  Buffalo to Albany:  Wings with weck, Cheeseburgers with bacon, Paczki

4.  Albany to New York City:  Lobster Newburg, Nathan's hot dogs, Pizza, Corned              Beef, Pastrami, Sushi and Kimchi.

Beverages:  Canada Dry and Vernor's Ginger Ale; Seltzer water; Carling's Black Label Beer, Berghof beer, Strohs beer, Hamms Beer, and Genese Cream Ale; Four Roses Whiskey, Canadian Club. 

Note:  Amtrak's famous regional specialties, Possum & a 6-pack, and Freshly Butchered Venison will be available on the Cardinal only.  

Also, Crow will be served on the Capitol Limited to politicians at the request of passengers.

Also, the NY bound trains will definitely need a food or salad bar so New Yorkers can reach under the glass and sample items with their bare fingers.    Lets not forget that part of NY culture.

[BaltACD]

NKP guy

   I have it on good authority that the dining cars on the Lake Shore Limited this autumn will be serving these regional dishes:

1.  Chicago to Toledo:  Kielbasa, Kisczka, Pierogies, and Paczki.  

2.  Toledo to Buffalo:  Walleye, Lake Perch, Whitefish, Sweet Corn, Paczki

3.  Buffalo to Albany:  Wings with weck, Cheeseburgers with bacon, Paczki

4.  Albany to New York City:  Lobster Newburg, Nathan's hot dogs, Pizza, Corned              Beef, Pastrami, Sushi and Kimchi.

Beverages:  Canada Dry and Vernor's Ginger Ale; Seltzer water; Carling's Black Label Beer, Berghof beer, Strohs beer, Hamms Beer, and Genese Cream Ale; Four Roses Whiskey, Canadian Club. 

Note:  Amtrak's famous regional specialties, Possum & a 6-pack, and Freshly Butchered Venison will be available on the Cardinal only.  

Also, Crow will be served on the Capitol Limited to politicians at the request of passengers.

Will the Cresent and the Silver fleet get Moon Pies and RC Cola?

[NKP guy]

   I have it on good authority that the dining cars on the Lake Shore Limited this autumn will be serving these regional dishes:

1.  Chicago to Toledo:  Kielbasa, Kisczka, Pierogies, and Paczki.  

2.  Toledo to Buffalo:  Walleye, Lake Perch, Whitefish, Sweet Corn, Paczki

3.  Buffalo to Albany:  Wings with weck, Cheeseburgers with bacon, Paczki

4.  Albany to New York City:  Lobster Newburg, Nathan's hot dogs, Pizza, Corned              Beef, Pastrami, Sushi and Kimchi.

Beverages:  Canada Dry and Vernor's Ginger Ale; Seltzer water; Carling's Black Label Beer, Berghof beer, Strohs beer, Hamms Beer, and Genese Cream Ale; Four Roses Whiskey, Canadian Club. 

Note:  Amtrak's famous regional specialties, Possum & a 6-pack, and Freshly Butchered Venison will be available on the Cardinal only.  

Also, Crow will be served on the Capitol Limited to politicians at the request of passengers.

 

 

 

[BaltACD]

CMStPnP

 

rixflix

Guess we easterners will have to wait for Boston scrod, New York bagels, Philly scrapple, Baltimore Polish sausage, DC half-smokes, and Turbot ala Frimbo. Rick  

You know what I am thinking.....

Since Amtrak has ordered (or will order) from Siemens to replace Amfleet I.   It is probably trying to figure out now what it can cook in the Siemens Cafe cars or what type of layout the Siemens Cafe cars will have.    Thats my guess why they split the rollback the way they did.   I believe the days of the Amfleet Cafe are numbered and internally Amtrak has not figured out the menu for the new Siemens cars yet.

Kibble & Bits.

[CMStPnP]

rixflix

Guess we easterners will have to wait for Boston scrod, New York bagels, Philly scrapple, Baltimore Polish sausage, DC half-smokes, and Turbot ala Frimbo. Rick 

You know what I am thinking.....

Since Amtrak has ordered (or will order) from Siemens to replace Amfleet I.   It is probably trying to figure out now what it can cook in the Siemens Cafe cars or what type of layout the Siemens Cafe cars will have.    Thats my guess why they split the rollback the way they did.   I believe the days of the Amfleet Cafe are numbered and internally Amtrak has not figured out the menu for the new Siemens cars yet.

[BaltACD]

rixflix

Guess we easterners will have to wait for Boston scrod, New York bagels, Philly scrapple, Baltimore Polish sausage, DC half-smokes, and Turbot ala Frimbo.

Rick 

[rixflix]

Guess we easterners will have to wait for Boston scrod, New York bagels, Philly scrapple, Baltimore Polish sausage, DC half-smokes, and Turbot ala Frimbo.

Rick 

[CMStPnP]

Finally.....

https://www.amtrak.com/traditionaldining