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Casinos ending special Atlantic City trains
Rode it last summer. The one-seat ride from New York & Newark was an interesting concept…UNTIL…you found out that you rode 1/2 the trip forwards and half backwards. The non-reversible seats on the bi-levels was a minus, although the patronage was so light that you stood a good chance of finding a different seat while the train dallied at old “SHORE” Tower waiting for a window to cross over and change direction. Another negative was the myraid of advertising covering the windows that really cut down on visibilty (although most riders seemed engrossed with their ipods, tablets, and whatever). The lowest fare was $29 one way, but that fare was often not available (why not??) and you got tapped for another $10 for what additional amenities I could not figure (when I boarded at Penn Station, NYC, all I was told by the conductor was, “Sit anywhere but in the red seats”…which meant, “sit in the blue seats,” and there were blue seats on both levels, so I sat up top in both directions). Talking to a number of people on board revealed that they were not even GOING to a casino…just using it as a method of transportation from NYC to AC. Was not surprised that it finally was discontinued.
Trains and bus to casinos are not expected to turn a profit.The payoff is at the slot machines,black jack tables and such.
The cars are from the same production order of Comet VI coaches and will most likely be absorbed into the existing fleet of multi-levels as they are or have the seating reconfigured to the basics.
I am sure glad we rode the ACES. And I am sure glad we rode the AMERICAN ORIENT EXPRESS. It is disappointing to see fine first-class rail service being swept aside.
Amtrak introduced Atlantic city corridor service and it did not last either. NJ Transit has striggled with its commuter service over the same line between Philly and AC. I knew this train was rolling “boxcars” from the get go.
Amtrak introduced Atlantic city corridor service and it did not last either. NJ Transit has striggled with its commuter service over the same line between Philly and AC. I knew this train was rolling “boxcars” from the get go.
Amtrak introduced Atlantic city corridor service and it did not last either. NJ Transit has striggled with its commuter service over the same line between Philly and AC. I knew this train was rolling “boxcars” from the get go.
Amtrak introduced Atlantic city corridor service and it did not last either. NJ Transit has striggled with its commuter service over the same line between Philly and AC. I knew this train was rolling “boxcars” from the get go.
Perhaps Amtrak or Via could buy the cars.
These cars might be a good pickup for Iowa Pacific Holdings. With all the operations they have going on, newer rolling stock such as these, with their mix of seating and services, could fit on the Saratoga & North Creek or their planned cross-country services on the “Lake Shore” or the “City of New Orleans”.
It didn’t help the AC Service when NY state opened some new casinos, including one in the NYC area. I’m sure the bus competition didn’t help either.