Passenger Trains > Trip report on the Capitol Limited

Hi All
If anyone's interested I worte a trip report on my Capitol Limited journey (including my experience of Amtrak's new dining). If you're interested check it out: https://trainreview.com/article/my-adventure-on-amtraks-capitol-limited-from-washington-dc-to-chicago !

 

Nice write up. Generous about the food offering!!! I take it this was written PRIOR to Covid-19!!!!

When travelling aboard the Capitol Limited at least four times (four round trips) between May 2019 and February 2020 (when the first box meal program was put forth, and then the present flexible dining options), I actually liked the idea of being able to use the Superliner "Cross Country Cafe" Car for both eating at, and then spreading out a bit to get some work done on my computer. My biggest issue is that Amtrak really never explained the context of the "Sleeper Lounge" or how it all worked...... What were the hours of operation? How do you place an order or get your food? Does someone come to the table, do you order first and then sit down and its delivered? What's the general protocol so to speak? Are any snacks/beverages free if using the car as a lounge? How does breakfast or the next meal work? 

On all four round-trips, we all kinda had to "figure it out" on our own. I actually got a nose bleed in the "sleeper lounge." I NEVER get nose bleeds so this was really odd for me to experience. The attendant kinda just looked at me, motionless, lifeless, not offering to help or try to call the conductor who could potentially help etc...... I knew having blood in the "Sleeper Lounge" was not a good thing. I used the cardboard napkins to control my nose bleed, but it was NOT a good situation for a good 10 minutes. Finally the attendant told me that I couldn't be in the "Sleeper Lounge" - yes, I kinda knew that! How about some gauze or something more absorbing from the first aid kit? Or since I was travelling alone, and needed to put my head back and also try to figure out which way to leave the car (navigate two cars forward to my roomette in the Superliner Trans/Dorm Sleeper) - could the attendant radio the conductor to help me? I was obviously having more than a problem than I had realized and I did NOT want to be offloaded onto an ambulance at South Bend, IN. Instead the attendant kept saying - I couldn't' be in the diner, I couldn't be in this car.  Totally get that, but other than stating that to me, offered no help or assistance. Finally I got things under control myself by straddling between the sleeper and the "Sleeping Car Lounge. There was no way I could make it all the way back to my bedroom. 

The whole experience was actually an analogy for my experience with the sleeper lounge attendant, as all four attendants had no personality and were almost lifeless, offering very little help in this monotone type of voice. It was like - fend for yourself. Even for breakfast - if you wanted anything to drink, you had to ask, because it wasn't talked about or offered. 

The food actually wasn't that bad overall. I had also set expectations LOW. The food was hot, it was edible. For breakfast I could get as little or as much as I'd like - cereal or breakfast bars or fruit (not sure if fruit is still offered). 

But again, this is a really nice car to take in the scenery while at a booth. More viewing room than when sitting in your room. Sightseer Lounge still has more viewing area, but here I got to comfortably do some work and partake of any meals. I did leave space if anyone wanted to sit down at my table with me. Despite two VERY full Superliner Sleepers (sold out actually to Pittsburgh) and all roomettes sold out in the Superliner Trans-Dorm Sleeper, not many people ventured out to have dinner or breakfast in the Sleeper Lounge. I found this a little odd. And even when taking the Viewliner Diner aka Viewliner Sleeper Lounge (only took it westbound twice with new layout), it too was hardly used despite sleeper space being sold out. Not sure if people just didn't want the food, or what, but at least come out and  use it as a Lounge! Again, the Viewliner Sleeper Lounge, particularly, great car for taking in scenery on a single LD train - after a meal. 

So after COVID-19 is over, Amtrak needs to do some additional "marketing" or announcement on what the "Sleeper Lounge" entails and can offer. If they dint' become more occupied, these cars may go by the wayside since they are not too populated. Amtrak will get the idea to merge everything to the Amfleet Diner Lite or the Superliner Sightseer Lounge. They are a nice option for the "sleeping car passengers." It's the "Sleeper Lounge" so people should get out of their rooms and use it. Amtrak could use this for other up sell or food/beverage items - wine tastings or additional alcoholic drinks. I found the car - either Viewliner Diner (*Sleeper Lounge) or Superliner Cross Country Cafe  to be a nice option in addition to my bedroom and the Superliner Sightseer Lounge. Their purpose now though should be for social distancing; after the pandemic, different story. Course I guess it will be tri-weekly service then and Amtrak will have more Cross-Country Cafe's to use in place of Diners, and more Viewliner Diner (Sleeper Lounge) will be heading off to storage - despite the fact that they could be used on the long distance day trains (e.g. Adirondack, Vermonter, Maple Leaf, Pennsylvanian). 

 

Food should be more than "eatable."  My friends son had a nose bleed on a Swiss flight. Upon hitting the call button, the crew sprung into action. Escorted him to the rear galley. Solved the problem, walked him back to his seat. And checked on him again in a few minutes. What a difference in service experience than yours. Are Amtrak crews not trained in medical issues? 

I knew I should not have been in the any "food service car" with a bloody nose, but at the same token, that's where it started, and frankly, a first aid kit or some assistance would have helped as we were rolling east towards South Bend at full speed - 70+ mph in the dark......

Amtrak has a great opportunity at this time.  Lakefront Lines  - a big bus company in Ohio - has gone out of business.  They did charter busses to all corners of the U.S., plus provided regular service  under contract to other bus companies.  Greyhound has cut its puny schedule even further.  And all the cheapo bus companies, who do not want to pay for terminals, have ceased all service to Cleveland.  

Even though Amtrak's four trains in Cleveland operate between 1 a.m. and five a.m. this would be an ideal time for Amtrak to advertise in Ohio.  

Wow. Didn't Lakerfont Lines used to be Lakfront Trailways and ran line haul sevrice, between Buffalo and Cleveland ?

Where did you find the photos to go with your trip report? It would have been difficult to get some of those shots while riding the train.