Would Amtrak ever consider turning some Amfleets into single level sightseers? They could be beneficial for routes like the Vermonter, Downeaster, and Pennsylvanian just to name a few.
I presume that you’re thinking of something along the lines of SAL’s sunroom cars in the 1950’s. It might involve some substantial engineering issues since larger side windows and roof and corner windows might require relocation of load-bearing members of the car structure.
No; Amtrak is running rather low on Amfleets as it is, and larger windows would be difficult to install while maintaining the tubular integrity of the cars.
That’s ashame, sightseers would help tremendously on East Coast routes. Would either Heritage Diners or baggage cars (as soon as enough of the new ones show up) work?
Serious re-engineering of any car that wasn’t originally designed for it would be required - Serious Re-engineering = $$$$$$$$$$, and what would be the return on that expenditure?
The heritage cars have been run into the ground, and would need a substantial rebuild anyway as they are in rather poor shape as a whole. The big problem is they are limited to 110 MPH, while NE Regionals operate at 125. Once the heritage cars are replaced, the LD trains will as well, except for one or two trains (I forget which ones). It would be a lot of money spent for little real gain.
I was seeing it as a way to boost tourism on Amtraks more scenic East Coast routes.
I recall seeing an issue of Passenger Train Journal from the late '70’s that had drawings of a reader proposal for an AmDome car. as I recall the idea was to raise the floor level between the trucks juuuusst enough to allow a glazed dome low enough to have caternary clearance. Unlike a traditional domeliner there would be no passageway under the dome (no clearance) so all foot traffic would have had to pass through the dome so this car would probably have to be placed at the end of the consist like the VIA Park cars Amtrak borrowed for the Adirondack a few years ago.
Why in the world spend money on modifications of equipment that is in short supply. A back of the envelope guess probably would mean about half the cost of a new car modifying an old car built to your specs. So remanufacture 24 cars loosing 1400 seats instead of building 12 new cars adding at least 40 seats ? Almost a net of 2000 seats.
The SP domes were like this!
The SP domes ran more or less in the middle of the consist, since each car had a stairway partway inside at one end, providing a lower level lounge with a high ceiling, and a stairway at the other end of the car.
I rode in two if them.
Passenger Train Journal volume 12, Number 4
“Is there an AmDome in Our Future?” (a dome proposal to fit Northeast clearances)
by Alan M. Crossley
Maybe if someone has a copy in his collection it could be scanned and posted?