If we are going to have passenger trains it does make sense to have them do things passenger trains can do easily and well. And carrying baggage is one of those things.
Again, the large bulk of travelers on most Amtrak trains do not have 4-5 30" suitcases or steamer trunks. There should be provision at the end of the car for oversized pieces of luggage. Otherwise most travelers in 2013 use the overhead rack, just as they do of flights. Buying new non-revenue cars and then hauling them around is a misuse of limited resources.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
Deggesty And, people who ride the Crescent, particularly sb to Atlanta check quite a bit of baggage. All who say that the baggage cars are not utilized should take the Crescent southbound out of Atlanta. You have to wait until the baggage carts have brought the checked baggage to the station before you may go down to the train--and it is a long wait because the platform is not wide enough for both passengers and checked baggage to use it at the same time. I
And, people who ride the Crescent, particularly sb to Atlanta check quite a bit of baggage. All who say that the baggage cars are not utilized should take the Crescent southbound out of Atlanta. You have to wait until the baggage carts have brought the checked baggage to the station before you may go down to the train--and it is a long wait because the platform is not wide enough for both passengers and checked baggage to use it at the same time.
I
Deggesty is very correct but it can be very more worse. Have seen as many as 3 carts on and off at ATLANTA. Last tiime wife rode it was 15 min early into ATL and departed 20 min late. Just one more reason to replace the ATL station.
Another poster mentions that the bag - dorms are non revenue. Not exactly ---
1. That car enables the train not to add a car which at present train lengths may require another loco or a significant reduction in acceleration. about 1 minute loost for each 20 - 79 mph change.
2. The dorm alows sale of crew space allocated to a sleeper to go to revenue passengers instead.
I've never seen the Atlanta station, but everything I've heard or read about it seems to indicate that it is sorely in need of an upgrade, especially for a city as large as Atlanta. Ironic, too, that a city that began its life mainly as a railroad city has only the one passenger train left.
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"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
imagine a commuter RR suburban station, narrow center platform, 30 ft + of steep steps only at one end. ADA passengers have to cross 1 track to reach elevator that only has space for 1 baggage cart. that is atlanta. upgrade? that is nuts new station nearby will only cost some what more.
I do not remember what year the Peachtree Station (known as Brookwood to Atlanteans) was built. It was originally used as a suburban stop, and it was the Atlanta stop for the Birmingham Special (which originally ran into Atlanta and then bypassed the Terminal Station after the Peachtree Station was built; many of us know the Birmingham Special as going through Roanoke and Chattanooga, but its original route was through Atlanta. For about ten years after it was inaugurated, the Southerner did not stop here, but breezed on through, making use of a backup move in connection with using the Terminal Station. In the last two or three years of its operation into the Terminal Station, the Southerner/Southern Crescent had the coach seats turned around and the engine moved to the other end in Atlanta.
The poiintof this post is that the station was not designed to be THE stop for Atlanta, and thus was not built to handle the number of people who use it now.
Johnny
I searched Google to try to find articles about the new cars Amtrak is purchasing. The articles are not new but they are the most recent ones I encountered:
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-01-12/local/35439210_1_high-speed-rail-northeast-corridor-rail-cars
http://www.examiner.com/article/amtrak-to-receive-new-cars-2012
schlimm Again, the large bulk of travelers on most Amtrak trains do not have 4-5 30" suitcases or steamer trunks. There should be provision at the end of the car for oversized pieces of luggage. Otherwise most travelers in 2013 use the overhead rack, just as they do of flights. Buying new non-revenue cars and then hauling them around is a misuse of limited resources.
While many business travelers on airlines will carry-on their luggage for short trips, many vacationers will check baggage and then carry more in whatever carry-on they can fit in the overhead compartment. I don't know what you are quantifying by "most travelers", but I still see plenty of baggage carried in airplanes in 2013. When I travel by train, my (and apparently other people's) expectation is that there will be reasonable baggage service. Apparently Amtrak understands this.
John WR I searched Google to try to find articles about the new cars Amtrak is purchasing. The articles are not new but they are the most recent ones I encountered: http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-01-12/local/35439210_1_high-speed-rail-northeast-corridor-rail-cars http://www.examiner.com/article/amtrak-to-receive-new-cars-2012
If you want to see a view of a proper station platform, look at "A Crazy Wide View of Amtrak Number Six in Denver" in General Discussion.
schlimm: Again, the large bulk of travelers on most Amtrak trains do not have 4-5 30" suitcases or steamer trunks. There should be provision at the end of the car for oversized pieces of luggage. Otherwise most travelers in 2013 use the overhead rack, just as they do of flights. Buying new non-revenue cars and then hauling them around is a misuse of limited resources. Midland Mike: While many business travelers on airlines will carry-on their luggage for short trips, many vacationers will check baggage and then carry more in whatever carry-on they can fit in the overhead compartment. I don't know what you are quantifying by "most travelers", but I still see plenty of baggage carried in airplanes in 2013. When I travel by train, my (and apparently other people's) expectation is that there will be reasonable baggage service. Apparently Amtrak understands this.
I never suggested travelers have no luggage. Most air travelers limit themselves to one bag that fits in an overhead bin. Any extra bags have to be checked in, usually at $25 each. The majority of rail travelers should be able to manage a bag overhead and one at bins at the end of the car. If they are carrying trunks or 3-4 bags, perhaps there could be a dormitory-baggage car, but charge a fee $25 per checked bag to cover the costs.
MidlandMikeWhen I travel by train, my (and apparently other people's) expectation is that there will be reasonable baggage service. Apparently Amtrak understands this.
Recently Amtrak has imposed restrictions on baggage. However, I think their policies are still pretty generous. Now you can carry on two bags and if checked baggage service is offered you can check 2 bags, all free. You can check 2 more bags by paying $20 each. There are a few prohibited items (such as wet cell batteries where the acid can spill). Usually you can take "Special items" such a bicycles, golf clubs or skis but there are special rules and usually special fees but the fees are not very high. You can also store your bags at a station for $4 to $5 a day. You can even check firearms. Amtrak seems to go out of its way to accommodate passenger needs.
Here is a link to their policies: http://www.amtrak.com/baggage-policy
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