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Amtrak dome to run on Hiawatha, Lincoln Service routes
Some of us are fortunate in remembering the Milwaukee’s “Super Domes” at 100+ mph. While perhaps not the smoothest ride, one knew the sensation of speed.
However, the problem faced, not just at holiday time, by the current “Hiawatha” service, is capacity. That and more frequent service is needed.
JEFFERY GUSE
We here in Upstate NY have the dome for those months on the Adirondack (the photo is of the Adirondack by the shores of Lake Champlain) between Albany-Montreal. You need to go find your own dome!
Must likely the are adding the dome to boost Thanksgiving consists so they can carry more passengers.
There are a few PVs that could be leased, maybe charge a little more but no maintenance cost.
If Amtrak was smart with the marketing, and trust me, they aren’t, they would have utilized this dome back in September and October during the annual harvest and changing of the colors. Same goes for the months of April to June for the planting. Right now, there is nothing happening and nothing to see, except lots of empty fields, trees with no leaves, the occasional truck turning a deer into just so much sausage, and some deer hunters making a beer run.
Amtrak should try to acquire one or two more dome cars. They make great PR.
Pity that they previously dumped all they had.
So, the Great Dome has the oppurtunity to run 110 mph on the “Lincoln Service” trains. That will be the fastest the car has gone.
A little late for that in Chicagoland. You magazine folks must live down South to write an article like that.
Why not charge a premium? I’m sure you would have people who normally didn’t ride jump at the chance to get a premium seat. Broadway shows do it.
Amtrak could charge a premium for dome seats as they do for business class. This would increase the trains’ capacities during this busy time and bring in badly needed additional revenue.
If they could get a couple more domes, they could be a regular part of the Cardinal. A dome on the rear of the train would be easy to add and remove at Washington DC if the dome can’t run under the wires.
Reference the photo. Does anyone else agree that Amtrak’s heritage scheme completely outclasses the “wave”?
Silly Guse: As Mr. Turon points out, they use the dome in other places where it probably draws even more riders to see the foliage than it would in Illinois. GOOD planning by putting a limited asset where it will do the most good.
Mr. Rowell: I think they’re using it to get people to ride who have never ridden a train before. Charging a premium fare would scare off those same people. And wires are not a problem; it would have to go under them into Washington. The clearance problem is New York Penn (or maybe the Hudson and/or East River tunnels).
I’m not sure how Amtrak could charge a premium price for dome seats on an unreserved train with only coach accommodation, which is the case with the Hiawatha. Going to “reserved” status or adding some sort of premium seating category (“business” doesn’t quite do it) introduces additional complexities at a weekend when the task is to have seats and reliable trains running.
I agree with LTC THADD BUZAN from Virginia, Amtrak’s Phase III is best looking paint scheme that Amtrak ever had. The only thing missing is Goosie’s idiotic face on the nose of the P42.