Passenger Trains > Parlor Car Status

Hi,

In the first few weeks of January, I took the Starlight to Portland, OR and
the consist of my train did not include a "parlor car" nor a "sightseer lounge"
replacement. The parlor car attendant of the train (who had to do the wine tasting
in the dining car) said that 3 out of 4 parlor cars were out of service. Does
anyone know the status of these bad ordered cars? Are they being fixed? Also,
why was a "first class lounge" not substituted? Right now, if you book a trip
on the Starlight, its sort of a turkey shoot as to whether or not you'll get
the parlor car. Since this is an advertised first class amenity, why have they
not expidited fixing the cars?


Howard Dean
Alameda, CA

I would not place many bets on the life expectancy of the Pacific Parlour, Mr. Dean.

The 'reformers', as in the Messrs. Bush/Mineta/Laney 'chain of command', are of thought that Amtrak is to provide basic 'Point A to Point B' rail transportation. Amenity enhancements, that could potentially 'attract' a passenger to the rail mode, are simply not in the playbook

The main problems is getting parts for these cars as they are now unique on the Amtrak system.

http://www.trainweborg/chris

Chris

As of midnight on Sunday/Monday, the only Starlight set that DIDN'T have a Parlour car was Train 14(29). At the last minute, car inspectors found the 39975 needed its wheels turned, and it was removed from the consist with no replacement.

All the rest have Parlours.

In other words, the facts don't square with the "opinion" shared above.

Or in other words, don't let facts get in the way of a good story.

When it rains it pours, and 39975 was on No. 3 last week headed back to LA after the usual work at "The Grove!"

Most Starlights have had Parlours for the last 2 weeks. In early Jan there was maybe 1 trainset with a Parlour. Seems like they're keeping them up as best they can, they are looking a bit tattered out the outside, though, with some non-corrugated patches and all. Sometimes they'll substitute a Sightseer Lounge, but not always.

Ted in Davis

gobbl3gook Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Seems like they're keeping them
> up as best they can, they are looking a bit
> tattered out the outside, though, with some
> non-corrugated patches and all.

I saw 39974 on 11(26) and the car sure looks good with the fresh Phase IVb/VI paint (albeit without the logo next to the lower-level vestibule). I wonder what's being refurbished on the interior during the cars' trips to the Grove. The last round saw new brass railings installed on the upper-level window sill counters to better secure cups and glasses.

I heard one parlour was trashed by locals after being set out at Worden (OR) due to broken brake pipe. It sat on that siding for several days.

Hello,

Can anyone answer the following questions:

On the newly painted Phase IVb Parlours, are there any major paint differences than the Phase IV cars?

I know that they added the red stripe at the bottom of the car...did they also add the new amtrak logo, or is it still the Pacific Parlour Car logo only?

Does it look like this?(see photo)

Thanks,

Sean

---

JohnThomas Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> gobbl3gook Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> The last
> round saw new brass railings installed on the
> upper-level window sill counters to better secure
> cups and glasses.

They come equipped with velcro straps to put over the top of your drink :-}

stash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I heard one parlour was trashed by locals after
> being set out at Worden (OR) due to broken brake
> pipe. It sat on that siding for several days.


Can anyone confirm/deny?

jameslong Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> stash Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I heard one parlour was trashed by locals
> after
> > being set out at Worden (OR) due to broken
> brake
> > pipe. It sat on that siding for several
> days.
>
>
> Can anyone confirm/deny?

This Parlor did get set out in Oregon due to a broken pipe, and
it ended up in Portland the next day. It was "deadheaded" to LA
on the back of Train #11 a couple of days later. As a matter of
fact, this "deadhead" was on #11 coming down to LA as I was on
#14 going up to Seattle.

Howard Dean
Alameda, CA

I rode the Starlight from LA to Portland on the 7th and we had neither a Parlor nor a substitute lounge. Their absence notwithstanding, it was still a great trip!