akanaamtrak's new superliner replacements might actually be pretty awesome
you can read the full 1379-page RFP at this link
https://wisarp.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/long-distance-rfp-technical-specifications-2023.pdf
Jeremy Fountain π³οΈβπ
The Rail LifeOn this day in 2012, I caught the Coast Starlight from Los Angeles Union Station to Oakland. This portion of the journey departs in the morning and arrives the same evening. The train then continues overnight to Portland (OR), then Seattle, arriving the following afternoon.
My 11.5 hour journey was very comfortable in Coach Class aboard the Superliner car. I love the Superliner cars: they're oversized, comfortable and very American.
Andy Randall πΊπ¦As I walk down the platform, I marvel at the engineering and beauty of the grand old dame of the railways, the #superliner
pfriedmaOoh nice! #Amtrak is looking to replace their #superliner cars. I'd posted a while back that these are pretty old (40y).
https://media.amtrak.com/2023/01/amtrak-starts-the-process-for-new-overnight-trains/
Charles FultonThe #Superliner I (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superliner_(railcar)), built by Pullman instead of Budd, enters service in 1979. The follow-up Superliner II starts arriving in 1991. #Amtrak buys 479 altogether, and even today they're the backbone of the Western long-distance fleet.
They're similar to the Hi-Levels, though with all manner of mechanical improvements, and there never was a Hi-Level sleeping car. I've spent weeks of my life in Superliners and they're great.
They're also over 40 years old...
#amtrak #superliner trains are big. Most of the things (most seating and rooms, dining, lounge etc) are on the top level. You connect between cars on the upper level as well.
They're also OLD. The superliners were built in two batches in 1975-81 and 91-96. The earlier ones have had interior updates (and they're all slowly being updated) but the core stock is at least 30-45 years old.