Superliners

[Anonymous]

Can someone tell me the big advantage Amtrak sees in using/building Superliners? I have ridden them a few times (Chicago-Mississippi for example) and found them not all that great. The climb up the stairwells is a pain, especially with luggage. The restrooms are downstairs, which requires another climb back down. True they may offer a better view, but what other advantage do they provide over a standard-sized passenger car? They certainly don't improve a train's appearance, and since most rail is welded these days, what does it matter if the passengers are insulated from the so-called track sounds?

[jamesedwbradley]

Karl, I basically agree with you; the advantage to Amtrak is the Superliners hold more passengers, due to use lower floor and side doors withot traps or steps, rather than end vestibules, and, for passengers, the upper level does seem quieter even on welded rail. Note that although sleepers have handrails on both sides of stairs, coaches and lounges have only one-side handrails. Amtrak has retrofitted a rest room on upper level of sleepers and should do the same with coaches. Also, the car names are disappering!

[thirdrail1]

Evidently Superliners will operate in cold weather that sidelines other equipment like Amfleet and Horizon cars, judging by the recent cancellations and replacements in Michigan. They were originally built because they were very different from the old trains and Amtrak wanted to project a new image.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the information--I hadn't been on this website for several days. I can see the capacity advantage to the Superliners. Just would like to see a little more variety.