I think I have a question.
I used to ride the bus. We would be packed at times and others I would have my own limo.
CZ Amtrak goes through Lincoln twice a day. They run about 7-8 cars. Does Amtrak ever go through here fairly empty? I know we are Chicago to Denver and points beyond, but I can’t believe they would run fairly full year round.
Anyone know or care to speculate?
I suspect that most Amtrak trains are subject to the same fluctuations any transport method faces. One variation that Amtrak can have that airlines generally don’t is that Amtrak usually makes stops along the line, so ridership will vary station to station.
Because the Amtrak long distance trains are more likely being ridden by “vacation” travellers, who usually have the ability to vary their departures, it sort of evens things out. If a train is full, they can ride another day.
I would expect Amtrak experiences the traffic pattern fluxuations just as the airlines do. For example, yesterday I traveled from Chicago to Minneapolis for the day to attend a large trade show event, and my 7:00 a.m. flight from Midway was only about one third full while my 4:20 p.m. flight back was almost sold out. One can never figure these things out completely and you will get a headache trying.
When they have a down turn, do they still run the same amount of cars (6-8) or do they cut it down to maybe 3 or 4?
Guess I am wondering if it is cost effective to just run a full train set even practically empty than to take off and put on cars as needed.
one problem with leaving coaches behind, is what happens if you need them for the return trip? Based on information on other threads, Amtrak doesnt exactly have lots of spare coaches at all the terminals just in case they are needed!
Like lots of other threads of yours, a very good question, …and I am looking forward to hearing from some of our knowledgeable forum members…
I know sometimes I sound a little vague, but hope people will realize that I ask out of curiosity and don’t always think outside the box. So appreciate the patience in the answers.
Hey Mook, I learned a very long time ago that THE ONLY DUMB QUESTION IS THE ONE YOU DON’T ASK.
Well if Amtrak has any extra cars they need to send them out west. We sure could use them especially on the San Diegans.
Oops, I mean Pacific Surfliners.[:I]
Well then I should look like Mrs. Einstein!
Dear Mrs. E.,
From what I’ve heard, Amtrak does a pretty good job of selling out on this run, at least in First Class. I usually find their train to be going too fast to count what types of cars are in a typical consist, but you’re dealing with one diner, a Sightseer Lounge, and then coaches and sleepers.
I’ve found most trains to be reasonably well filled, and these long-distance trains, which “nobody” uses, do better than most. You can’t get here from there unless you plan well in advance, especially in First Class.
Adding cars? Not too likely, given shortages of equipment and the demand for motive power to haul them. Some parts of the route have grades slightly steeper than those around Lincoln!
Obviously, Jim, you’ve never watched a Washington DC press conference on C-SPAN.[(-D]
Which gives rise to my addition to that ancient bit of wisdom…
“The Only dumb question is the one you don’t ask…but stupid is asking the question you just received an answer for…”
PZ, I only watched once and then gave it up…the stupidity hurt my head too much and it gave me heartburn…so I went into the kitchen and ate a doughnut instead.
I rode Amtrak from Chicago to Seattle, from Seattle to Eugeen Or., Eugeen to Sacramento Ca. To Chicago.
When they had low passenger count. They would close down cars. They did not over stuff inuse cars.
Return trip from Sacramento. We stopped and picked up an additional car. Then in Salt Lake City They added on the train out of Seattle and the same in Denver they added another one cars.