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Dec 10, 1970.
AMTRAK DINING CAR PRICES RISING Trains 21, 22, 58, 59, 421 and 422 now have a different menu than the rest of the long-distance trains. These trains use preplated meals prepared off the train and the prices appear substantially higher than rail travelers are accustomed to paying. This change is no doubt part of the DOT effort to increase Amtrak income, but could have the effect of reducing train patronage. On one of the two rotating menus, breakfast items consist of three choices with meat, each priced at $10, and one cereal choice at $6.75. At lunch, a cheeseburger is $7, a sandwich (type varies) is $7.25, barbecue chicken with potato wedges, corn and salad is $12, and soup (minestrone or chicken noodle) is $4. At dinner, a beef entree (braised or tenderloin) is $18; a chicken entree is $17.50; cod fillets are $16.50; cheese tortellini is $11; and an "evening special" is $12.50. |
Rumors of Sunset Limited changes
The Sunset Limited has long been an Amtrak whipping child and the object of numerous rumors about its viability and service parameters. Now some rumors, which may have some credence, are emanating from Amtrak planning sources. It is said that possibly the Sunset may be altered to no longer run east of New Orleans. Thus it would become a Los Angeles to New Orleans train. In that case, however, rail travel westward from Florida would continue via the City of New Orleans, which would be extended eastward to Florida, making it a Florida-Chicago train. A favorable aspect of these rumors is that there are no rumors, yet, of the train's being discontinued. The Sunset's poor timekeeping because of congestion around
Southern California will apparently not be abated, since both the UP and
the BNSF railroads seem unwilling to allow re-routes of the train around
the UP congestion of West Colton Yard.
Amtrak plans to unstaff more stations
NLS Niles, MI
A TIE REPLACEMENT PROJECT BETWEEN STOCKTON AND FRESNO WILL AFFECT SERVICE ON TRAINS 702 AND 711 ON THESE DATES: JANUARY 11-12, 15-19, 22-26, JAN. 29-FEB. 2, FEB. 5-7. TRAIN 702: TRAIN 1702 SAC-SKT
TRAIN 711: TRAIN 711 BFD-FNO
PACIFIC SURFLINER TRACKWORK NORTH OF LOS ANGELES IN JANUARY UNION PACIFIC WILL BE REPLACING RAIL
BETWEEN MOORPARK AND SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA. THE WORK
WINDOW WILL BE 0700-1200 MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, BEGINNING TUESDAY,
JANUARY 3 THROUGH
As the work progresses north, various trains will be cancelled or operate late from day to day. For Jan 4 and Jan 5, Train 768 annulled GTA-LAX, 763 Terminates LAX. Train 784 annuled GTALAX 785 Terminates at LAX\ Trains 798-799 annulled both days. Anyone traveling on the Coast, should check with Amtrak
Call Center to see if your train is operating the day that you wish to
travel.
AMTRAK AND THE THREE DAVIDS The three Davids are on the minds of most rail advocates these days: the fired Amtrak President David Gunn, Amtrak Board Chairman David Laney, and Gunn's temporary replacement as President, David Hughes. They form a big question mark in advocates' minds because of lack of outside information about their activities, plans and motives. The first question is why was David Gunn fired? It was widely recognized
that he was the best thing that had happened to Amtrak in its existence.
Even if his firing would not have an effect upon the future course of Amtrak
operations, it seemed unwise from a public relations standpoint because
of the appearance of Amtrak being cavalier in discarding such an effective
leader.
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