Passenger Trains > Pennsylvanians lose Amfleet II coaches

Until recently the Pennsylvanian has operated with Amfleet II long distance cars for Coach passengers.

But today, 42(14) and presumably yesterday's 43(13) has a baggage, Amfleet I dinette, Amfleet I coaches, and Amfleet I Business Class car.
I don't know if this is actually permanent but today's 43(14) is the same.

How many coaches ? Until now, they have always kept it in synch with the Palmetto.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/14/20 11:56 by joemvcnj.

The Carolinian runs a lot farther and has had Amfleet I coaches from day one. Inconsistencies abound. 

The Pennsylvanian and Palmetto often swapped to even out layover time in Sunnyside. 

That could explain it, and so could a desire by the State to reduce costs, which went up when the Baggage was added.

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Also it increases capacity by 12 seats per car without adding another coach.  The Amfleet II coaches made this trip much more pleasant.  However, at least now those paying extra money for business class actually get a better product whereas before it was better to just stay in coach.  The Amfleet II coaches were very nice for a 6 to 8 hour ride.  Those traveling all the way from Pittsburgh to New York will have a rough trip now. Standard consist had been a business class car, lounge, three Amfleet II cars and one Amfleet I car.  So this new set up allows 36 additional seats.  There are frequent standee problems between Harrisburg and Philadelphia on Fridays, Sundays and anytime near holidays.  This could be Amtrak's way of helping with the problem.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/14/20 13:24 by cabsignaldrop.

There are quite a few colleges along the Pennsylvanian route in western PA.  I suspect they could boost traffic quite a bit around the holidays, weekends, etc

Assuming they did not replace 3 Am-2 with 2 Am-1. 

It would be good to get the State's official response on this...... I can't believe Amtrak is that proactive in trying to increase passengers for this train.......

The Vermonter is another train that operates with Amfleet Is and travels longer distances than the Pennsylvanian. 

I hope the move was made to increase capacity, but I have my doubts. 

Where did the Amfleet II's get allocated to? Maybe they are now on the Carolianian?

Carolinian is rather capacity constrained as it is and I don't think they want to deal with manual doors on the NEC. 
Maple Leaf has 3 Am-2 and 1 Am-1. Given the scarcity of Canadian bound passengers, it should be 2 and 2
Adirondack has 2 Am-2 and 2 to 3 Am-1. The dinette car sits between them. During the summer, all the Canadian passengers are put in the Am-1 half of the train since the load that crosses the border is always far in excess of 116. 

joemvcnj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Carolinian is rather capacity constrained as it is
> and I don't think they want to deal with manual
> doors on the NEC. 
> Maple Leaf has 3 Am-2 and 1 Am-1. Given the
> scarcity of Canadian bound passengers, it should
> be 2 and 2
> Adirondack has 2 Am-2 and 2 to 3 Am-1. The dinette
> car sits between them. During the summer, all the
> Canadian passengers are put in the Am-1 half of
> the train since the load that crosses the border
> is always far in excess of 116. 

I've always seen Canadian passengers assigned to the Amfleet II's on the Adirondack. Even when ticketed to Plattsburgh, and there's been room in the Amfleet II's, I've been  assigned to an Amfleet I. At one point, anything north of Saratoga Springs usually got the Amfleet II. Done the trip many times in an Amfleet II, but lately, it's been an Amfleet I if just going to upstate NY and NOT crossing the border. 

Compared to airline coach seats, the amfleet 1 seats are unbelievably roomy.

Mention was made of the Pennsylvanian and Palmetto sharing equipment.

Today: Palmetto 89(15) has Amfleet II coaches.  Virtual Railfan capture at Ashland, VA.

---

Update: 43(15) is operating with all Amfleet I equipment.

Perhaps the loss of Amfleet II equipment is the result of all AM2 cars are now going through a 'refresh' cycle to get leather seating and other upgrades...

The cut consists for the next few months can handle that.
What I haven't heard is how many coaches are now run on the Pennsylvanian. 

PennDOT is currently working on a feasibility study to look into adding a second train from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh on a Daily basis. I guess they miss the days gone by of the Broadway Limited/Three Rivers.

BRAtkinson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Perhaps the loss of Amfleet II equipment is the
> result of all AM2 cars are now going through a
> 'refresh' cycle to get leather seating and other
> upgrades...

No way, it has to be something malicious. I've been assured of that by TO posters.

RailBaron84 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> PennDOT is currently working on a feasibility
> study to look into adding a second train from
> Philadelphia to Pittsburgh on a Daily basis. I
> guess they miss the days gone by of the Broadway
> Limited/Three Rivers.

You can blame Governor Rendell for giving up the slot by refusing to pay for a stub train in lieu of the Three Rivers.  Please note he was a bigwig in the Donkey Party, who I thought I wa sassured love all trains.

abyler Wrote:
> You can blame Governor Rendell for giving up the
> slot by refusing to pay for a stub train in lieu
> of the Three Rivers.  Please note he was a bigwig
> in the Donkey Party, who I thought I was assured
> love all trains.

What I heard is that when the 6-month notices were put up for 40/41, David Gunn's team told Rendell behind the scenes if you really, really want a 2nd frequency, it woud be $1 million. Rendell said no. 

Penn DOT has been "studying" this for 15 years. I regard it as entertainment, not a plan, interest, nor a commitment. I am not that shallow. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/20 12:40 by joemvcnj.