Passenger Trains > Wednesday’s OKC to FTW train

Taking todays Heartland Flyer and see that Amtrak President Roger Harris is riding with us to Fort Worth 

just sat down behind him and hope to be able to strike a conversation with him about many things 

here are some pictures of the train. The interior and exterior are clean!

 

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Some shots of a very nice Sante Fe station in Oklahoma City



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/23/24 09:45 by amtrakbill.

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What is the reason the Heartland Flyer is operated using Superliners, when they are in such short supply on the LD routes?

One of my reasons for my trip to Kansas 
 

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Cafe car on the Heartland Flyer.  Not very impressive but the cafe attendant is very personable with a great announcement and opened on-time  He also makes a mean Bloody Mary! 
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/23/24 06:45 by amtrakbill.

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restricted_speed Wrote:
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> What is the reason the Heartland Flyer is operated
> using Superliners, when they are in such short
> supply on the LD routes?


It permits emergency interchangeability with equipment on the Texas Eagle. Makes sense.

I think the train always used Superliners. Most of the year it’s 2 coaches on each of the 2 transets. They are generating revenue not like the superliners used on the CN to make the grade crossings work




restricted_speed Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What is the reason the Heartland Flyer is operated
> using Superliners, when they are in such short
> supply on the LD routes?

Posted from iPhone

I have to say the Heartland Flyer is a niffty train

It’s carrying almost 100 people 200 miles averaging 50mph including stops (Wednesday)

BNSF is dispatching us around freight trains and it’s an efficient operation

Train ride is relatively smooth and we get up to 79mph many times between stops

Service is good in the cafe and announcements are professionally done and the train is clean

The superliners definitely look worn. Especially in the restroom and cafe area. Cars need to be regularly updated to keep them from looking as worn as the cars on this train

Too bad the train can’t be extended to Newton and having another frequency would attract more patronage

Well done Amtrak !

Posted from iPhone



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 10/23/24 09:47 by amtrakbill.

Amtrak decided to retire the former Santa Fe hi-levels that were rebuilt for that route.  I believe its feeling was that they had simply become too old and too expensive to maintain.  I think BNSF has two of them now in use for wintertime crew transportation along the Northern Transcon around the Rockies.

Saw you guys pull into FW on the TRE cam and the crowd getting off was pretty healthy, and usually is. KC extension would be the best thing for this train so as not to tax the LD trains...

JG



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/23/24 10:32 by jgilmore.

amtrakbill Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think the train always used Superliners. Most of
> the year it’s 2 coaches on each of the 2
> transets. They are generating revenue not like the
> superliners used on the CN to make the grade
> crossings work
>
>
>
>
> restricted_speed Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What is the reason the Heartland Flyer is
> operated
> > using Superliners, when they are in such short
> > supply on the LD routes?
>
> Posted from iPhone

Actually there is only one trainset. Its also common to see an extra coach and/or engine in the FTW yard. It starts in OKC in the morning, lays over for a few hours in FTW and returns to OKC that evening. Yes, 2-3 coaches is the norm outside of "The Big Game Train". Did you ever get to have a conversation with Roger Harris? 

I was aboard that same 10/23 train connecting to the Eagle/Sunset. One of your photos caught a couple of my traveling companions. I agree that it was an efficient and professionally-run operation. Merrill in the lounge was great. And, the interior restoration of the OKC depot is outstanding.