There is a world of difference between an overnight train ride in coach and making that same trip in a sleeping car. Yes, of course the sleeping car costs more, but if you figure it out carefully, it often is a reasonable alternative to sitting up all night in a coach seat. In a sleeper,…
We all know that Amtrak has been under intense pressure from Congress to cut costs. In particular, our esteemed lawmakers have targeted the cost of food service in Amtrak dining cars. The vox nauseum when it comes to this issue is Rep. John Mica (R-Florida), who professes outrage that Amtrak loses money on its food…
I have a friend who has made a lot of money in the restaurant business. When anyone asks about the secret to his success, he has a ready answer: “Good…fast…cheap.” We have now heard that yet another overnight train in Europe is being cancelled. This one is Deutsche-Bahn’s Berlin-to-Paris sleeper which has been operating…
Call it a dining car or a diner or, as in Europe, a restaurant car, but the one thing people remember most about a long-distance train ride is the experience of having a full-on meal in a rolling restaurant. And no wonder. There you are, enjoying a cheeseburger with bacon and a cold beer for…