Passenger Trains > Question about Surfliner Business Class

Do the Pacific Surfliners still have TWO business class cars -- or just one?

Thanks for any info.
 

They all have two.


Chris
 

Mudrock Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> They all have two.
>
>
> Chris
>  

SMART! Amtrak should try to do this on the NEC for Amtrak Regionals, if the opportunity presents. 

jp1822 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mudrock Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > They all have two.
> >
> >
> > Chris
> >  
>
> SMART! Amtrak should try to do this on the NEC for
> Amtrak Regionals, if the opportunity presents. 


Where will they get the cars?

DevalDragon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> jp1822 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Mudrock Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > They all have two.
> > >
> > >
> > > Chris
> > >  
> >
> > SMART! Amtrak should try to do this on the NEC
> for
> > Amtrak Regionals, if the opportunity
> presents. 
>
>
> Where will they get the cars?

As I said - IF the opportunity presents, not necessarily today, tomorrow, or next month, IF the opportunity presents. Amazing how VIA Rail Canada adds a second business class car to capture its higher end revenue when demand warrants. Been on PLENTY of corridor trains when a second business class would have easily sold out. Amtrak could also play more smartly with its supply and demand - just as Surfliner is. If consist has 8 coaches, one is a business class car, one could work to convert another coach in the consist to business class (yes, they'd have to shop the Amfleet and make it into low density seating). Again - key word - IF the opportunity presents.   

I hardly think of what passes for business class on the NEC, Carolinian, Palmetto, and Pennsylvanian  of anything of value. It is a plain old 60 seat Amcoach, with leg rests from their overnight long distance service of the 1980's removed.

i remember riding "custom class" on the san diegans in an amfleet car.

it was very nice............

66

joemvcnj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I hardly think of what passes for business class
> on the NEC, Carolinian, Palmetto, and
> Pennsylvanian  of anything of value. It is a
> plain old 60 seat Amcoach, with leg rests from
> their overnight long distance service of the
> 1980's removed.

You are totally correct - business class is the most inconsistent class of service across the whole Amtrak system, and not even worth it, other than larger seats. Total branding problem.....And its too bad as this could be incremental revenue in so many ways and be VERY useful to Amtrak. We certainly can go down memory lane and do "once upon a time," but business class is largely a JOKE compared to what was. Even custom class was good. Amtrak is so out of tune with its riders when it comes to "business class." It doesn't even make sense for a lot of trains - calling it "business class." Touring Class, Custom Class, Amtrak 1, etc. would all work better. There was a working group to try and re-define, ad we did, but then Amtrak dismissed the committee and nothing ever adopted.  

We've used Business Class on the Coast Starlight, not so much for the limited amenities but for a hopefully quieter ride than coach.  I hear that the only time it ever comes close to filling up is Thanksgiving and Christmas, maybe