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Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2022 2:43 am
by Chris Stritzel
DaveKCMO wrote: Sun Feb 07, 2021 6:30 pm Interior pics of the new cars:

Image

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The rail cars are now in service. Several images available at the tweet links below (High Speed Rail Alliance). They look nice.
https://twitter.com/HSRail/status/1488537960697970688
https://twitter.com/HSRail/status/1488543722212048896
https://twitter.com/HSRail/status/1488538366501138439
https://twitter.com/HSRail/status/1488644845593935874

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2022 10:24 pm
by Anthony_Hugo98
Taking the River Runner just got a whole lot more exciting

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2022 12:26 am
by Chris Stritzel
Anthony_Hugo98 wrote: Wed Feb 02, 2022 10:24 pm Taking the River Runner just got a whole lot more exciting
According to a Trains.com post, the new train cars will be in service on the Illinois Lincoln Service first and then will come to other routes at a rate of 8 per month depending on if Siemens can get the retrofit right. The first combination cafe-business car will also soon arrive, but the way I read it is that those won't be put into service until all of them arrive.
https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews ... or-amtrak/

Generally, though, it seems the seating experience is similar to Brightline but there are a few differences. Like the tray table is a bit larger and sturdier, and the emergency exit windows are a bit different due to the configuration. Of course, you won't be boarding these at door level at most, if not all, stations. So, there are stairs that can come down.

Overall, these look good and I look forward to seeing how they are soon (might just take a weekend trip of to Chicago).

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Fri May 06, 2022 7:17 pm
by normalthings
New SW Chief stop just outside the KC region looks like it will happen.
JEFFERSON CITY – An Amtrak stop in Carrollton may be closer to becoming a reality.

State legislators Rep. Peggy McGaugh, R-Carrollton, and Sen. Denny Hoskins, R-Warrensburg, announced today in a news release the state operating budget approved by the General Assembly includes $1 million in funding the proposed stop in Carrollton. The money allocated in HB 3020, which makes up part of the budget, will go toward planning, design, maintenance, or construction of a station.

“For years Amtrak has passed through Carrollton without stopping,’ Hoskins said, according to the release. “When the Carrollton community came to Rep. McGaugh and I, we worked hard to secure funding for an Amtrak stop in Carrollton. We are excited to help promote tourism and travel to the community by securing funds for a new train stop in Carrollton.”

The funding requires a local match. HB 3020 now needs only the governor’s signature to go into effect.

“I want to thank Senator Hoskins and all the members of the General Assembly for supporting this important project that means so much to our area,” said McGaugh, according to the release. “I think it’s important that we re-establish rural stops for our railways so visitors can enjoy our beautiful part of the state and our residents can take advantage of this wonderful form of transportation.”

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 3:30 pm
by shinatoo
Other than the Carrollton stop, any word on what's in the new budget for Amtrak?

Kansas connection to Texas? Track upgrades for SW Chief in Kansas/New Mexico? River Runner upgrades for improved speeds?

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 6:01 pm
by normalthings
shinatoo wrote: Mon May 09, 2022 3:30 pm Other than the Carrollton stop, any word on what's in the new budget for Amtrak?

Kansas connection to Texas? Track upgrades for SW Chief in Kansas/New Mexico? River Runner upgrades for improved speeds?
Missouri's budget keeps RR funding at previous level it looks like, Wouldn't have funds for projects in other states...

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 6:26 pm
by shinatoo
normalthings wrote: Mon May 09, 2022 6:01 pm
shinatoo wrote: Mon May 09, 2022 3:30 pm Other than the Carrollton stop, any word on what's in the new budget for Amtrak?

Kansas connection to Texas? Track upgrades for SW Chief in Kansas/New Mexico? River Runner upgrades for improved speeds?
Missouri's budget keeps RR funding at previous level it looks like, Wouldn't have funds for projects in other states...
Yeah, thanks for letting me know Missouri doesn't allocate funds for Kansas. Always appreciate the civics education I get on this site...

I'm talking about the 66 billion in the latest Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Would you like me to start a new thread that doesn't have the word "Missouri" in it? It's so rare that anyone posts even slightly off-topic in this forum.

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 7:49 pm
by DaveKCMO
shinatoo wrote: Mon May 09, 2022 6:26 pm Would you like me to start a new thread that doesn't have the word "Missouri" in it? It's so rare that anyone posts even slightly off-topic in this forum.
No need: viewtopic.php?t=8618

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Mon May 09, 2022 9:59 pm
by shinatoo
Damnit!

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Sun May 29, 2022 5:14 pm
by DaveKCMO
New 318/319 Amtrak schedule combines River Runner and Illinois Service for one "direct" trip to Chicago and all points in between using the new Siemens 'Venture' cars. Keep an eye out for this fancy new train at Union Station! Presumably you have some sort of wait in STL but don't have to change trains.

https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/ne ... uis.82161/

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Sun May 29, 2022 6:47 pm
by normalthings
Massive improvement in the quality of ride (bright, clean, modern, etc). My only complaint is no recline.

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Sun May 29, 2022 7:55 pm
by DaveKCMO
normalthings wrote: Sun May 29, 2022 6:47 pm Massive improvement in the quality of ride (bright, clean, modern, etc). My only complaint is no recline.
You’ve already ridden? Pics?

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Sun May 29, 2022 8:01 pm
by normalthings
DaveKCMO wrote: Sun May 29, 2022 7:55 pm
normalthings wrote: Sun May 29, 2022 6:47 pm Massive improvement in the quality of ride (bright, clean, modern, etc). My only complaint is no recline.
You’ve already ridden? Pics?
Didn't take any photos : (

The 4 seats - table located in the middle of the cars is great if you have a group/family. However, the pull-out extensions are not operable yet.

Electronic doors struggled a bit on my most recent trip. The corridor door would refuse to open. The bathroom door would refuse to close. I'm a bit worried these will break and never get fixed knowing Amtrak.


Advice: Business class is in the OG cafe car. Book economy to experience the Venture Cars.

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2022 12:30 am
by herrfrank
^Electronic doors. LOL -- Germany put those in the 1970s.

Any other Raggers remember the old Deutsche Bahn automated recording "Bitte, bleiben Sie ruhig. Tueren schliessen selbstaetig"? Please, remain calm. Doors close automatically.

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2022 3:16 am
by normalthings
herrfrank wrote: Wed Jun 01, 2022 12:30 am ^Electronic doors. LOL -- Germany put those in the 1970s.

Any other Raggers remember the old Deutsche Bahn automated recording "Bitte, bleiben Sie ruhig. Tueren schliessen selbstaetig"? Please, remain calm. Doors close automatically.
I mean amtrak has always (in my life) had electric doors. I meant auto opening ones

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2022 5:14 pm
by normalthings
Seems that these previously cancelled routes may be studied as a requirement of the infra stimulus.

Chi-KC-Dallas-Houston
KC-STL-NOLA
KC-STL-IND-Pitt-Philly-NYC

https://twitter.com/quincylvania/status ... F7OY0m4Ow

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2022 9:16 pm
by Anthony_Hugo98
normalthings wrote: Wed Jun 01, 2022 5:14 pm Seems that these previously cancelled routes may be studied as a requirement of the infra stimulus.

Chi-KC-Dallas-Houston
KC-STL-NOLA
KC-STL-IND-Pitt-Philly-NYC

https://twitter.com/quincylvania/status ... F7OY0m4Ow
KC Looking to become a rail hub again?!?

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2022 1:23 am
by AlkaliAxel
Anthony_Hugo98 wrote: Wed Jun 01, 2022 9:16 pm
normalthings wrote: Wed Jun 01, 2022 5:14 pm Seems that these previously cancelled routes may be studied as a requirement of the infra stimulus.

Chi-KC-Dallas-Houston
KC-STL-NOLA
KC-STL-IND-Pitt-Philly-NYC

https://twitter.com/quincylvania/status ... F7OY0m4Ow
KC Looking to become a rail hub again?!?
I wish someday they'd build aa route from KC to Denver. It would get used so much.

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2022 7:21 am
by DaveKCMO
KCY has the basics for limited Amtrak service expansion -- fueling, layover, staffed station with more than one boarding location.

Re: Missouri Amtrak Service

Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2022 7:37 am
by normalthings
DaveKCMO wrote: Thu Jun 02, 2022 7:21 am KCY has the basics for limited Amtrak service expansion -- fueling, layover, staffed station with more than one boarding location.
Wish fueling could be integrated with the SW Chief extended stop at Union Station instead of an additional stop in KCK.