Why would people who have so much dissatisfaction with Amtrak go out of their way to ride their trains so much?
Card games would be more feasible and cards are less prone to maintenance issues. Though I would think the whole gambling issue would be problematic for crews of Amtrak to implement. Which is why I avoided the whole innovation with use of dining car approach. Fully private company that was more agile and profit orientedâŚpossibly yes. Amtrak? Probably not going to work until Amtrak transforms more. I think the Amtrak employees can do it but there are many items holding them back.
BTW, what I heard on the SRC call was that Casinos are supportive of using passenger trains in their promotions but that Amtrak has to get a decent schedule that meets their needs. Which you also know is a long ways off.
Oh hell no!
But there sure was a period when the video arcade was supposed to be a BIG part of childhood culture. And it might make sense to put a few machines⌠somewhere⌠to help attract more family businessâŚ
⌠the problem being the beeping and booping noises were terribly annoying, and there was no good safe way to put kids in a soundproof enclosure on a passenger train.
Another brightish idea was to put the equivalent of a hotel âbusiness centerâ in a car somewhere â a couple of PCs with laser printers that you would sign up for, with (presumably) satellite or âtelephoneâ Internet or Web connection. Line forms on the right to list the problems with that!
I think in the heyday of Pullman and Parlor Car trains, business cars were common.
My inspiration was the service reported on the 20th Century Limited, where you had a secretary and stenographer to help you put material together and prepare documents and letters. But I did not get the impression there was a whole car worth of partnerâs desks and typewriters â more a cubicle like the barber shop.
At least in theory you could have an attendant like the one at the âcounterâ in an Office Depot, who could assist with copying, collation, light binding, etc. Call ahead to have blank materials, stock, etc. ready at intermediate stops, or to replenish supplies that ran short or equipment that balked.
Yes, train stationery and yes, train pens made nice enough to be memorable souvenirs (I still have my dove-grey and silver Concorde pen with distinctive cranked-delta clipâŚ)
Something like that also served on the PRRâs Congressional.
When the Sightseer Lounge cars were placed in service, they were equipped with VCRs. In the evening an attendant showed a movie or two. Eventually, Amtrak discontinued the movies and removed the VCRs from the cars.
With the coming of tablets, smart phones, etc., many if not most passengers have a device that they can use for entertainment, i.e. movies, games, etc. They probably are not interested in a movie in the lounge car. Moreover, I doubt they would be interested in casino games, bingo, etc.
Most of Amtrakâs long-distance passengers are only on the train for one night. If my memory is correct, less than 10 percent ride end point to end point. Once it gets dark, most of them go back to their room or coach seat and use their personal device for entertainment.
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On the other hand, with the current availability of very large thin-panel televisions with wireless connectivity for only a few hundred dollars apiece, it might make sense to have large screens that can be connected to a range of devices, either so individuals can watch something theyâre streaming or so that âmovie nightsâ could be provided as part of scheduled entertainment. Some care would have to be made (vs. VOD to individual small devices) to ensure this did not qualify as âbroadcastâ for copyright purposesâŚ
Large screen with no choices runs against the tide of what airlines found people prefer: watch what you want on own device or large selections on seat back screen. Many younger folks donât buy TVs.
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Precisely because there is nothing else to do, in my view. Also, because itâs stick and move with the dining car seating and they close the dining car completely and only let people pass through it. A private company would be more innovative here in my view. Amtrak does not have much incentive to deviate from the past.
The wine tastings on the Coast Starlight used to do pretty well until Congress shut them down and then they got rid of the Pacific Parlor Cars.
Yes, the Superliners are like Fred Flintstone in the rocket age with their technology from the 1970âs. Hopefully the next batch will have a more digital way for the car attendant to monitor what rooms need to be cleaned and when. A better porter call system (FIFO priority maybe vs âOh I just noticed youâ) that is more digital. Would help if Amtrak had WiFi on the LD trains like Canada has and maybe perhaps some decent apps they could get fees for on that WiFi. Lots of opportunities lost here in my view by Amtrak Management. Just hoping they think more with current technology with the next batch of LD cars for the Western Trains.
Though I might also add that some of the crews do not seem to be very knowledgeable of the 1970âs technology to monitor the car they already have on the existing Superliners.
Itâs not Amtrakâs job to entertain the passengers. Most folks can and will: 1. Look at their phones for social media or films or sports; 2. Read; 3. Talk with companions or strangers; 4. Look out window; 5. Rest.
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I use Amtrak and generally have been satisfied with service and equipment. Of course, it is always best when my train is on time. Something I appreciate is when there is a delay the conductor advises passengers of why and how long the delay will be. There is no sense in keeping that information a secret.
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Which trains and where do you board?