Passenger Trains > Amtrak 383 - Consist Reduction

Train 383 - Chicago-Quincy (Illinois Zephyr). Just a charger, a single Amfleet II coach, and a viewliner baggage this evening. This down from one Amfleet II and one Venture Coach. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/23 20:12 by sethamtrak.

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Has Amtrak really driven away all of the business? One coach? When I went to school out that way, I don't ever remember that train being less than three cars, two coaches and a cafe, no matter the time of year. More often than not, it ran with well more than that. The Sunday after Thanksgiving out of Chicago used to be in the neighborhood of sixteen or so Amfleets behind two F40s, and trust me, it was full. Pretty sad what it has come to.

NOT looking good!

On the plus side, I guess BNSF doesn't have the same issues shunning crossing circuits.

Posted from Android

More then likely an emergency fill in consist! Aren't some Midwest consists handled by attendants with rolling snack cars (the snacks could easilybe stored in the baggage car) along with a microwave and coffee maker! A water cooler also for fresh water! Obviouslythat didnt happen though)! Either way with a potential for no more than 60 or so riders an extended station stop to allow for food purchases would work!

Posted from Android

beebopper Wrote:
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> More then likely an emergency fill in consist!
> Aren't some Midwest consists handled by attendants
> with rolling snack cars (the snacks could easilybe
> stored in the baggage car) along with a microwave
> and coffee maker! A water cooler also for fresh
> water! Obviouslythat didnt happen though)! Either
> way with a potential for no more than 60 or so
> riders an extended station stop to allow for food
> purchases would work!
>
> Posted from Android

This train last week was the Amfleet II coach and one Venture Coach and that was sad and pathetic enough. Seems like the Venture coach was dropped for an axle count baggage car. ALL of Chicago doesn't have just one coach? I find that hard to believe. 

Isn't this the same company that wants to expand regional services? 

cabsignaldrop Wrote:
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> On the plus side, I guess BNSF doesn't have the
> same issues shunning crossing circuits.
>
> Posted from Android

I was wondering the same thing about the short train. I thought Amtrak California had to run an extra car or two on the BNSF for the San Joaquin’s.

Nathan

Posted from iPhone

What is 383? Name? From Chicago to where?

POW Wrote:
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> What is 383? Name? From Chicago to where?

Illinois Zephyr Chicago to Quincy IL.

Posted from Android

POW Wrote:
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> What is 383? Name? From Chicago to where?

Illinois Zephyr to Quincy IL.

Posted from iPhone

beebopper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> More then likely an emergency fill in consist!
> Aren't some Midwest consists handled by attendants
> with rolling snack cars (the snacks could easilybe
> stored in the baggage car) along with a microwave
> and coffee maker! A water cooler also for fresh
> water! Obviouslythat didnt happen though)! Either
> way with a potential for no more than 60 or so
> riders an extended station stop to allow for food
> purchases would work!
>
> Posted from Android

No, Its a crew shortage issue. 1 car requires only 1 conductor.

beebopper Wrote:
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> Either
> way with a potential for no more than 60 or so
> riders an extended station stop to allow for food
> purchases would work!
>

With the possible exception of the La Grange Road stop, I can’t think of another stop between Chicago and Quincy where there would be any place close to the station to make a quick food purchase.

Posted from iPhone

Can Amtrak just let passengers ride in the locomotive?

That ought to drive down costs I would think?

Bring a stadium cushion, and squat down in the baggage car. 

joemvcnj Wrote:
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> Bring a stadium cushion, and squat down in the
> baggage car. 

Good thinking.  I notice the lights are on in the bag, so this should work well I would think. 

The lights aleays seem to be on in the No-View-Liner baggage cars. But this is AMTRAK. The lights are on but nobody's home...

#381, operating on the same route as #383 had a fairly normal 2 car consist today. One amlfeet coach and one amfleet cafe car.

GenePoon Wrote:
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> The lights aleays seem to be on in the
> No-View-Liner baggage cars. But this is AMTRAK.
> The lights are on but nobody's home...

Bahahhaha— thanks, Gene, for my morning laugh!