Outside of the NE corridor, has Amtrak ever operated second sections in it’s history?
…I doubt if they would have the equipment to do so.
There were some extra sections operated in Amtrak’s earliest days. I am aware of an extra section of the Empire Builder run between Chicago and Minneapolis.
Hi -
Posted a similar response to your query on the “Classic Trains” forum. Photographed an advance “Builder” at Glenview in late 1971, which was followed by the regular “Builder” by about 20-30 minutes. “Advance” train was a pure Milwaukee consist; the regular train was the then-usual hodge-podge (BN Fs, an ex-BN obs, ex-ATSF sleepers, etc.).
Art
…second section to Beech Grove. CC
As one reply ponted out Amtrak did run a second section on a host, freight railroad line in its early years, but I doubt if they have run any second sections on its host freight railroad track recently. The most likely times to run second sections would be during the Thanksgiving and the Christmas/New Year’s rushes. But there the freight railroads might object if the second sections would interfere with their freight traffic.
As somebody else pointed out Amtrak doesn’t have enough equipment outside of the NEC to run second sections. Amtrak borrows equipment from the commuter authorities to run second sections between Washington and Boston or between Philadelphia and Harrisburg during the Thanksgiving rush. Many commuter passenger cars do not have restroom facilities so Amtrak might add one or two of their restroom-equipped cars to trains made up of commuter cars and that might be satisfactory since the trips are not that long. But to try to run second sections using non-restroom equipped cars - or a few restroom equipped cars in the train - in the west or the midwest where trips tend to be longer would not be satisfactory.
…So that is one area a budget priority {additional funds}, is needed to repair cars on the dead line and put them back into service ready condition so they can earn revenue during these holiday, and summer peak times.
You are dreaming. This is [D)]Amtrak [banghead]we’re yakkin’ about here.
…Acutely aware we’re talkn’ about Amtrak…Just because they have operated {underfunded}, forever…having to operate in a manner that makes little sense…Perhaps it’s time for someone to get serious and try to do some moves to improve the operation. [soapbox]