Trains.com

Andy Byford leaving London transit -- Possible head of Amtrak ?

4830 views
48 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    September 2017
  • 5,636 posts
Posted by charlie hebdo on Monday, October 3, 2022 10:22 PM

Setting the record and facts straight isn't arguing, ducks..  

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Monday, October 3, 2022 10:34 PM

I'm curious.  What are the different levels of service at a Waffle House?

  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Dallas, TX
  • 6,952 posts
Posted by CMStPnP on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 3:16 AM

Overmod

I'm curious.  What are the different levels of service at a Waffle House?

Explain the erroneous part of this first because I am still curious where this statement is in error.    And as someone that wants to maintain harmony of the discussion forums and keep everyone happy..........I am still scratching my head on what is wrong with this statement.

That is what 2nd Class Coach is for in Europe.   People that just want transportation.  You might have to shove a wino aside but you get what you pay for.

 

 

 

Sorry but your remark is erroneous.You obviously haven't ridden second class on intercity trains in many western European countries in many years.

 
 
  • Member since
    July 2008
  • 2,325 posts
Posted by rdamon on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 7:17 AM

Overmod

I'm curious.  What are the different levels of service at a Waffle House?

 

Smothered, Covered, Chunked, Diced, Peppered, Capped, Topped, and Country

https://www.ajc.com/entertainment/dining/your-guide-waffle-house-hash-browns/u6FvGwLoPboYIaz6hFukGP/

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 8:30 AM

Those are not service levels, they are menu options.  Even hash browns "all the way" (where did that option go? and where is 'scattered'?) come on the same plate, at the same time, and are expected to be consumed in about the same portion of the magic 20, as any other order of hash browns, and they involve only nominal additional time and effort in preparation.

About the closest thing to different 'service levels" I can think of is the Mickey Mouse waffle (which is made by cutting shapes with a soup bowl and a coffee mug in one of the ordinary round waffles, and arranging the pieces into the familiar shape).  It could be argued that this -- special as it is in the eyes of many children -- is just another menu option, too, albeit an unpublished one.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 8:38 AM

CMStPnP
Overmod

I'm curious.  What are the different levels of service at a Waffle House?

Why am I invoked as part of this supposed error correction? 
... And as someone that wants to maintain harmony of the discussion forums and keep everyone happy..........I am still scratching my head on what is wrong with this statement:
I think that fixes the nested-quote disaster... as far as I can tell this clarifies what he was asking.  
  • Member since
    September 2017
  • 5,636 posts
Posted by charlie hebdo on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 10:28 AM

On DB ICE trains (German Rail Intercity Express) today, first class seating and second class are open coaches as opposed to compartments from earlier days.  First class is 2-1, with some facing table seats, second is 2-2, also with some facing table seating. If you elect first class, a specific seat reservation is included in the fare. In second, a reservation is optional for a small additional cost. The food services are open to any who chose to patronize. 

Regional trains are less comfortable seating, but run shorter distances with more stops (usually) and many are push-pull, locomotive powered while ICE are like Acela in NEC. IC trains are being upgraded with new equipment.

 Back in the 60s, trains like the CZ, EB, NCL, City of Miami, Panama Limited, Broadway and even El Cap were more luxurious, especially food services. Also there were lounge cars and other high-quality amenities.  There were more staff as well.

  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Dallas, TX
  • 6,952 posts
Posted by CMStPnP on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 1:40 PM

I think you would need to update the California Zephyr much in the same way the Rocky Mountaineer has updated their train offerings (such has the train operator handling the luggage after arrival or to your hotel if you buy a vacation package from them) or Brightline has done with theirs (more customer convience options like pickup from your house in their car service) to be more competitive and seen as an "experience train" which I believe is the direction Amtrak management wants to explore.    THere is going to need to be a large amount of innovation here though since these Amtrak LD trains take 2-3 days to run at least the ones Amtrak expressed an interest in turning into "experience trains".    So maybe look at the train Austrailia runs "Indian Pacific" or some other LD National Trains for some ideas?     I think the Vista Domes are goners though since they are not ADA compatible.

  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Dallas, TX
  • 6,952 posts
Posted by CMStPnP on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 1:59 PM

charlie hebdo
On DB ICE trains (German Rail Intercity Express) today, first class seating and second class are open coaches as opposed to compartments from earlier days.  First class is 2-1, with some facing table seats, second is 2-2, also with some facing table seating. If you elect first class, a specific seat reservation is included in the fare. In second, a reservation is optional for a small additional cost. The food services are open to any who chose to patronize.  Regional trains are less comfortable seating, but run shorter distances with more stops (usually) and many are push-pull, locomotive powered while ICE are like Acela in NEC. IC trains are being upgraded with new equipment.

Those are corridor trains which run in hours that your comparing to long distance trains that take 2-3 days to run.    In fact since most of Europe is reachable with basically one overnight.   I am not sure you can compare Europe to the United States when talking about Long Distance.     You would have to compare their sleeper service and it would need to be more than one overnight.    So I am not sure the light morning snack served in Europe is going to be satisfactory on a train that runs 2-3 days in the United States.    I think you would have passengers resorting to cannibalism by the third day.

  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Dallas, TX
  • 6,952 posts
Posted by CMStPnP on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 4:55 PM

sextant

Why in Gods names would any self respecting transportation CEO want to run Amtrak unless they are into sadomaschistic self abuse? Amtrak has yet to keep a CEO longer then 2 1/2 years or so. There are so many other opportunities out there not only in the for profit world but also in the Non Profit world were one would be respected and could do greater good.

You can learn a lot from taking on a difficult or challenging project.    The folks that will only take cherry picked assignments are really the ones that lose out  in both self-development and learning as they do not get as much opportunity to do either.    I just took on my 352 home HOA as Treasurer while it is on the verge of a cash flow issue.   I knew it would be a little challenging to turn around but not impossible and push additional reforms in regards to budgeting as well as improve community involvement and satisfaction with the HOA.    So far the ship is being righted again and it is something I could mention in future job interviews if I wanted another job.

  • Member since
    October 2014
  • 1,139 posts
Posted by Gramp on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 9:32 PM

Re: service competence. 
I attended a wedding rehearsal dinner about 40 years ago at the University Club of St.Louis. I was witness to a level of service that I consider art. It was so exceptional. I'm not talking about "pampering" or the like. Everything you needed was delivered to you with such great skill that you weren't aware of it. It was just there. I'll never forget it. 

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 9:57 AM

That's the kind of competence that only comes with years of experience and a very selective personnel office.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Dallas, TX
  • 6,952 posts
Posted by CMStPnP on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 11:53 AM

Gramp
I attended a wedding rehearsal dinner about 40 years ago at the University Club of St.Louis.

Have you eaten at the Wisconsin Club? 

https://househistree.com/houses/alexander-mitchell-mansion

Mitchell was one of the expansionist CEO's of the Milwaukee Road, among other things.    Anyways, heard they have excellent food and great service.    You have to pay an annual club fee of almost $3000 to eat there though.

  • Member since
    September 2017
  • 5,636 posts
Posted by charlie hebdo on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 3:25 PM

CMStPnP
So I am not sure the light morning snack served in Europe is going to be satisfactory on a train that runs 2-3 days in the United States.     

You comment shows you haven't been on a German train or a hotel in many years.

  • Member since
    October 2014
  • 1,139 posts
Posted by Gramp on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 11:28 PM

CMStPnP

 

 
Gramp
I attended a wedding rehearsal dinner about 40 years ago at the University Club of St.Louis.

 

Have you eaten at the Wisconsin Club? 

https://househistree.com/houses/alexander-mitchell-mansion

Mitchell was one of the expansionist CEO's of the Milwaukee Road, among other things.    Anyways, heard they have excellent food and great service.    You have to pay an annual club fee of almost $3000 to eat there though.

 

no, I haven't been there. Sounds like an elegant venue. 

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Thursday, October 6, 2022 12:20 PM

1) There is an Alexander D. Mitchell IV who is one of the regular posters on RyPN.

2) Firelock, do you remember what Alexander Mitchell's grandson might be remembered for?

  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Dallas, TX
  • 6,952 posts
Posted by CMStPnP on Thursday, October 6, 2022 1:20 PM

sextant
Yes but in the Private for profit and in the Private Non Profit as a CEO world you dont have 435 members of Congress, 100 senators ,The Public, The Lobbiyists, 50 Governors, 2 Political Parties, a dozen unions, 864 Employees of the Federal Railroad Admintration,6 Class One railroads and there executives micromanaging every thing that you do.

Oh contrare, an HOA is a non-profit.   I have 352 homeowners attempting to micromanage or second guess things some of them former board members.    If you do not give them a straight answer.....look out.   Sometimes requires negotiation and or compromise on the side.    Secondly have a management firm which we need to repeat tasks to like 3 times before they get done, various subcontractors under the management company that do stupid things or give stupid feedback that need a kick in the pants.    Have the City where I live passing unfunded mandates all the time on community property like the resident swimming pool,  insurance coverage, etc.     Then we have a list of rules of procedure that has to be followed much like union work rules I must say that keeps us legal with the State of Texas, County and City.    We just stated a $290k project to replace our perimeter brick wall, which requires city inspections and approvals at various stages of construction.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy