Passenger Trains > Aboard the Empire Builder...

Report from a passenger aboard the Empire Builder right now...Train 28(6):

"How Amtrak fixes a high intensity reading lamp that can't be turned off, in a Superliner (Deluxe) Bedroom...Chicago style.

"It's black electrical tape placed (haphazardly) over the lens. And it leaks light. All night."

He's riding Portland-St. Paul.  How much did that Bedroom cost him?

"If he thinks he could have done a better job, the passenger should have brought his own electrical tape."

-Richard Anderson

Not safe. Quartz Halogen lights get very hot. I'd be afraid of that melting the tape. Better to smash the bulb with a stick. . 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/07/19 16:35 by joemvcnj.

joemvcnj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Not safe. Quartz Halogen lights get very hot. I'd
> be afraid of that melting the tape. Better to
> smash the bulb with a stick. . 

Right. Then be thrown off the train out in the middle of nowhere for destroying the equipment.

I wonder how many times that defect has been written up and not repaired? Would love to see that MAP book.

Makes me think back about my favorite defect entry/response ever in a sleeper:

Defect reported: "Mice In Car."

Mechanical's response: "Applied One Cat."

Doesn't get much better than that.

I always take my Amtrak tool kit ( rubber door stoppers, roll duct tape,  tools etc.) just duct tape over the offending light when not wanted, remove tape when wanted. Simple and it works. No such thing as an Amtrak sleeping room that doesn't need some kind of fix or more probably fixes. What do you want for a measly $ 1,200.00 dollars ?? No squeakes and rattles plus good food properly prepared and presented ?? Then you need to ride the Canadian as you'll not find it anywhere on Amtrak.

   Sad but true.

   Ross Rowland

co614 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I always take my Amtrak tool kit ( rubber door
> stoppers, roll duct tape,  tools etc.) just duct
> tape over the offending light when not wanted,
> remove tape when wanted. Simple and it works. No
> such thing as an Amtrak sleeping room that doesn't
> need some kind of fix or more probably fixes. What
> do you want for a measly $ 1,200.00 dollars ?? No
> squeakes and rattles plus good food properly
> prepared and presented ?? Then you need to ride
> the Canadian as you'll not find it anywhere on
> Amtrak.
>
>    Sad but true.
>
>    Ross Rowland

I must be lucky.  I just did a round trip on the Sunset Limited and had none of that.

He sent a cellphone picture of Amtrak's "repair." He apologizes for the blur, the train
was running at track speed....and the track was rough.

"Haphazardly" was putting it mildly...

It actually looks more like black duct tape.

EDIT:  The passenger has added this comment:

"The tray table in this room is busted, too. It comes completely out of its slot.  I could take it home with me. 

"Car: 32079 (orig name "Georgia").  Running as 2830 on #28(06).

"You just can't make this stuff up.
And...no hobbyists and very few experiential travelers on board."  
 



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 09/07/19 21:59 by GenePoon.

---

GenePoon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> It actually looks more like black duct tape.

Maybe that’s actually one of co614’s field repairs, though I suspect he would have done a more professional job. 

What about the floors, are they soaked from overflowing toilets? Number one rule, never take your shoes off! hahhahahahah

That's my Amtrak!

co614 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I always take my Amtrak tool kit ( rubber door
> stoppers, roll duct tape,  tools etc.) just duct
> tape over the offending light when not wanted,
> remove tape when wanted. Simple and it works. No
> such thing as an Amtrak sleeping room that doesn't
> need some kind of fix or more probably fixes. What
> do you want for a measly $ 1,200.00 dollars ?? No
> squeakes and rattles plus good food properly
> prepared and presented ?? Then you need to ride
> the Canadian as you'll not find it anywhere on
> Amtrak.
>
>    Sad but true.
>
>    Ross Rowland

Just rode the Canadian. Love the vintage Budd equipment and domes. The dining service is far superior to anything Amtrak EVER had. But the equipment isn’t in all that great shape. Most cars except the Prestige Class ones had flat wheels causing rumbling and thumping. Lots of rattles in my roomette. My roomette toilet failed and I had to move 2 cars to the rear. One skyline and diner looked recently remodeled and nice inside. But the ones at the front of the train looked pretty shabby inside and long overdue for a refurbish job. Overall the Canadian is definitely superior to any Amtrak train but it’s far from perfect. I still highly recommend it.

Posted from iPhone



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/07/19 20:11 by alan2955.

I actually had to fight a light like this to get it off once. It was one of those fancy "touch" panel lights. Had the thing stayed on, I definitely would have applied an "oops" and it would have been out permanently. Not advertising or suggesting others follow that path, but I didn't pay $1200 to have a light on that has a free range ability to turn off. The tape is more dangerous than the "oops." 

So, yall know the part is unobtanium, right?

Minor defense.....

But the point about overall condition is taken....

Posted from Android

How is it that Delta can keep the interiors of it's planes looking good and functioning. And Amtrak can't. Shameful that they would dispatch a car out in that condition. 

andersonb109 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How is it that Delta can keep the interiors of
> it's planes looking good and functioning. And
> Amtrak can't. Shameful that they would dispatch a
> car out in that condition. 
Anderson's working on it, he says.
 

HotWater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> joemvcnj Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Not safe. Quartz Halogen lights get very hot.
> I'd
> > be afraid of that melting the tape. Better to
> > smash the bulb with a stick. . 
>
> Right. Then be thrown off the train out in the
> middle of nowhere for destroying the equipment.

Breaking a light bulb is hardly "destroying equipment"

Agree 100%.
co614 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I always take my Amtrak tool kit ( rubber door
> stoppers, roll duct tape,  tools etc.) just duct
> tape over the offending light when not wanted,
> remove tape when wanted. Simple and it works. No
> such thing as an Amtrak sleeping room that doesn't
> need some kind of fix or more probably fixes. What
> do you want for a measly $ 1,200.00 dollars ?? No
> squeakes and rattles plus good food properly
> prepared and presented ?? Then you need to ride
> the Canadian as you'll not find it anywhere on
> Amtrak.
>
>    Sad but true.
>
>    Ross Rowland

Agree 100%. Been there and done that.
co614 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I always take my Amtrak tool kit ( rubber door
> stoppers, roll duct tape,  tools etc.) just duct
> tape over the offending light when not wanted,
> remove tape when wanted. Simple and it works. No
> such thing as an Amtrak sleeping room that doesn't
> need some kind of fix or more probably fixes. What
> do you want for a measly $ 1,200.00 dollars ?? No
> squeakes and rattles plus good food properly
> prepared and presented ?? Then you need to ride
> the Canadian as you'll not find it anywhere on
> Amtrak.
>
>    Sad but true.
>
>    Ross Rowland

In the coach aisle lights, I have many times seen the index card-sized seat checks used to shield much of their lumens.

joemvcnj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> HotWater Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > joemvcnj Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Not safe. Quartz Halogen lights get very hot.
> > I'd
> > > be afraid of that melting the tape. Better to
> > > smash the bulb with a stick. . 
> >
> > Right. Then be thrown off the train out in the
> > middle of nowhere for destroying the equipment.
>
> Breaking a light bulb is hardly "destroying
> equipment"

Given your previous commentary about Amtrak staff, it may be prudent for you to refrain from testing your theory.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/08/19 13:39 by RuleG.