Passenger Trains > Some trains no tables - Some trains many tables

It has been discussed that the new Siemens Venture food service/café cars now being rolled out for Midwestern Service have no tables to eat or drink at.  Instead, passengers are told to take their food purchases back to their seats. This lack of tables takes away some of the advantage and pleasure of rail travel.

Contrast this to the new Caltrain EMU train sets.  Each of the 7 car fixed train sets have 48 total tables for passengers to put down their laptop computer, snack meal that they have brought along, or even an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage that they have brought to enjoy! 46 of the tables are for 4 passengers, but there are 2 unique tables due to space limitations near the restroom that only seat 2 people each. Also, each seat at a table has a 120 volt outlet beneath it so that the cord will not be in the way of others at the table.  In addition, the new train sets have very fast WIFI for those needing it for work or other purposes.

I wish all of the people who design or make decisions on passenger rail equipment would give choices of seating to make rail travel more convenient and welcoming whether it is subway (that encourage 
standees), commuter rail, regional rail, or intercity. Adding amenities such as tables will further encourage rail ridership as such amenities are not available on air or bus travel.
 

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Another consideration should be how much food is spilled throughout the train as compared to just the snack car (which probably has an easier to clean design.)

Also just to clarify, although there are no tables in the Venture Food service/cafe cars there are a couple tables in the coaches that are snapped up quickly. 

Speaking of Caltrain's new EMU's.  It doesn't bother me if I get a table or not. What bothers me is the seats aren't as comfortable as the galleries or Bombardier cars.  Also, the large gap between the 2 seats. Too easy to listen to the conversation of the people sitting in front of you. And, no armrests!  However, I love the great acceleration and deceleration. Finally, the ride is very smooth!  Waiting for the new schedule to take effect on Sep 21st. 

Seems to be a goal of rail contractors - make the seats as uncomfortable as possible.
From the picture I saw of the gallery cars, they seem to have the same seats as the LIRR C-3 coaches, which are very comfortable, though 25 years old. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/24 18:35 by joemvcnj.

Amazing how a comfortable rail car with a competitive edge over other modes of transportation can't be innovated and put into service. Just REALLY sad. 

joemvcnj Wrote:
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> Seems to be a goal of rail contractors - make the
> seats as uncomfortable as possible.

My guess, it is an offshoot of rail operators wanting to make seats as maintenance free as possible.

Typhoon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> joemvcnj Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Seems to be a goal of rail contractors - make
> the
> > seats as uncomfortable as possible.
>
> My guess, it is an offshoot of rail operators
> wanting to make seats as maintenance free as
> possible.

Let’s just weld metal folding chairs into the coaches. Rubber mats for flooring. Power wash the whole thing like a farrowing house… wait that would take some kind of ultra expensive washing facilities. Never mind.

Regards

Posted from iPhone

Drknow Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Typhoon Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > joemvcnj Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Seems to be a goal of rail contractors - make
> > the
> > > seats as uncomfortable as possible.
> >
> > My guess, it is an offshoot of rail operators
> > wanting to make seats as maintenance free as
> > possible.
>
> Let’s just weld metal folding chairs into the
> coaches. Rubber mats for flooring. Power wash the
> whole thing like a farrowing house… wait that
> would take some kind of ultra expensive washing
> facilities. Never mind.
>
> Regards
>
> Posted from iPhone

I'm still waiting for the Dr. Zhivago Custom Class. 

Just pack em in and go!

Regards

Posted from iPhone

Drknow Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Typhoon Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > joemvcnj Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Seems to be a goal of rail contractors - make
> > the
> > > seats as uncomfortable as possible.
> >
> > My guess, it is an offshoot of rail operators
> > wanting to make seats as maintenance free as
> > possible.
>
> Let’s just weld metal folding chairs into the
> coaches. Rubber mats for flooring. 

Hyperbole is the reflex reaction of the jaded.

Typhoon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Drknow Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Typhoon Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > joemvcnj Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > Seems to be a goal of rail contractors -
> make
> > > the
> > > > seats as uncomfortable as possible.
> > >
> > > My guess, it is an offshoot of rail operators
> > > wanting to make seats as maintenance free as
> > > possible.
> >
> > Let’s just weld metal folding chairs into the
> > coaches. Rubber mats for flooring. 
>
> Hyperbole is the reflex reaction of the jaded.


Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana. N’est-ce pas?

Regards

Posted from iPhone