Passenger Trains > Capitol Ltd-no menu

Westbound Capitol Ltd. coach passenger 6/23 here. Went to the cross country cafe to get some breakfast. No menu posted on wall. Attendant said we don't have one on this trip, so I have to ask about what's available. Hell of a way to market your business and increase sales. Amtrak, heal thy self.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/29/20 08:57 by 41bridge.

Probably because some of the menu items weren't stocked when the train departed, so it was easier to tell passengers what's available than to explain what's not. 

ctillnc Wrote:
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> Probably because some of the menu items weren't
> stocked when the train departed, so it was easier
> to tell passengers what's available than to
> explain what's not. 

Probably.  Still a helluva way to run a business.

Amtrak isn't a business. It's a social welfare bureaucracy.

GenePoon Wrote:
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> Amtrak isn't a business. It's a social welfare
> bureaucracy.

Yeah, and apparently one that’s so fascinating to you that you spend a considerable amount of time gathering amateur passenger counts via the La Plata railcam.

There are many who have an interest in this business but find that the way it is operated to be nothing less than deplorable. The place needs an entire shake-up and audit.

2904 Wrote:
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> GenePoon Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Amtrak isn't a business. It's a social welfare
> > bureaucracy.
>
> Yeah, and apparently one that’s so fascinating
> to you that you spend a considerable amount of
> time gathering amateur passenger counts via the La Plata Webcam
Keep it up, Gene Poon— haters gonna hate !! Lol



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/29/20 13:16 by IC_2024.

sums007 Wrote:
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> ctillnc Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Probably because some of the menu items weren't
> > stocked when the train departed, so it was
> easier
> > to tell passengers what's available than to
> > explain what's not. 
>
> Probably.  Still a helluva way to run a business.

You’ve got that right. It’s just pathetic given what their management and workers are paid that this nonsense goes on. Could you imagine walking into a McDonald’s or a cafe and there’s no menu board and you have to guess what they have to eat? Amtrak has been incompetently operated since day one, and unfortunately things just never changed much. I support continuation of Amtrak but they need a house cleaning of management. For God sake that train comes and goes from their headquarters city and they still can’t do it right.

Posted from iPhone

Kudos to Amtrak supporters who demand a better product and are damn tired of the company being run like a scheiss haus.  If Amtrak still has a "route manager" assigned to the CL I'd like to hear the reasons why the Cafe was underequipped.

Here's an idea. How about have dry erase boards for times like this? Shouldn't be that expensive. Have it on the counter or hang it on a wall.

Posted from Android

Jettrainfan Wrote:
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> Here's an idea. How about have dry erase boards
> for times like this? Shouldn't be that expensive.
> Have it on the counter or hang it on a wall.
>
> Posted from Android

Why don’t you just “dry erase” any expectations at all!! Heyyyy— and just get on the dayum train ! Mask on!! Who the hell wants to travel right now, anyway ?!?
Got Covid, yet ?!?

IC_2024 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Jettrainfan Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Here's an idea. How about have dry erase boards
> > for times like this? Shouldn't be that
> expensive.
> > Have it on the counter or hang it on a wall.
> >
> > Posted from Android
>
> Why don’t you just “dry erase” any
> expectations at all!! Heyyyy— and just get on
> the dayum train ! Mask on!! Who the hell wants
> to travel right now, anyway ?!?
> Got Covid, yet ?!?

As a railroader I am conditioned to be on the move all the time....so even in my off time I am going somewhere...lately with mask worn and Grubhub ordered but travel I shall. 

41bridge Wrote:
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> Westbound Capitol Ltd. coach passenger 6/23 here.
> Went to the cross country cafe to get some
> breakfast. No menu posted on wall. Attendant said
> we don't have one on this trip, so I have to ask
> about what's available. Hell of a way to market
> your business and increase sales. Amtrak, heal thy
> self.

Presuming the Capitol Limited did not have a Superliner Sightseer Lounge? Sometimes they used to have the Sightseer in tow, but still have all food service from the Diner Lite. Just curious. I know Gardner has been trying to get the Sightseer Lounge OFF the Capitol Limited for years. Again, COVID-19 is providing the perfect excuse. But I actually feel it shouldn't be and should be allowing people to spread out more. If someone does want to move out of a "congested coach" - they could always resort to the Superliner Sightseer Lounge. At this time, I think having a bit "more room" is not a bad thing. Does it mean the attendant downstairs in the cafe may have to "wipe down" the tables and chairs of the Sightseer Lounge - perhaps. But they could close things down periodically to make this "wipe down" happen. 

Likewise, I think the single level LD trains should be operating with a Viewliner Diner (Sleeper Lounge) for the same reason. It just allows for a potential outlet......should it be needed. 

OP here. There hasn’t been a sightseer lounge for several months on the Capitol. 1 food service (Cross Country Cafe) for both coach and sleeper. Lately the consist is Cafe, 2 sleepers, and 3 coaches, one of which is a baggage coach (downstairs seating replaced with baggage hold) thus no baggage car.

Posted from iPhone



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/29/20 22:07 by 41bridge.

My bet is that the cafe attendant failed to inspect the car properly before departure to ensure that all menus and associated materials were in place as is required.

Posted from iPhone