Now that Amtrak’s ‘back on track’ after a cancelation scare caused by a freight rail strike threat, it can turn its attention back to plans for upgrading its popular but aging sleeping car fleet.
Amtrak has set aside $28 million to give the cars new comforts and features, including new seats and upholstery, carpeting and curtains. LED lighting will replace older lights for better lighting and lower energy cost. Private bedrooms and roomettes are getting new bedding, linens and towels. For most of the cars, this is a leap forward from their last refresh in the 1990s.
The upgrade includes not only the actual sleepers, but also coaches, lounges and dining cars that are part of the network of overnight long-distance trains bearing such long-legendary names as Sunset Limited, California Zephyr, Capitol Limited, Silver Star and more. Surprising to many, Amtrak also offers sleepers on late-night trains on its Northeast Regional Lines. A total of more than 450 cars are involved.
The dining cars—sit-down meals are included with sleeper accommodations—are getting a visual refresh and new menus, while opservation cars will also be modernized. The upgrade work will start with the double-deck superliners that run mainly in the Midwest, South and West, and then will continue with the single-deck Viewliners used in the East and Southeast.
Perhaps Amtrak’s upgrades will help it build a new and growing audience for sleeper travel as has been happening in Europe.
