Viewliner

Infobox Train
name = Viewliner


imagesize = 250px
caption = Amtrak's Viewliner "Summit View"
Manufacturer = Budd Company
Morrison-Knudsen
yearconstruction = 1987, 1988, 1996
Operator = Amtrak
MaxSpeed = 110mph
Capacity = 30
numberbuilt = 53
updated = July 30, 2007

The Viewliner is a single-level sleeping car used by Amtrak on eastern routes. All cars are assigned names that include the word "View."

Early design

In the 1980s, Amtrak was looking to replace sleeping cars that had been in use since the 1970s or earlier. While new Superliner cars were built starting in 1979, those cars were too tall to run on Amtrak's eastern routes due to clearance issues in and around New York Penn Station (See Loading gauge). Working with the Budd Company, Amtrak drafted plans for new single-level sleeping and dining cars. The most striking aspect of the design is the double row of windows. Unlike the Superliners, occupants of both bunks in the bedrooms have an outside view.

The prototype Viewliner cars were assembled at Amtrak's shop in Beech Grove, Indiana in 1987-1988 from Budd components. Two sleeping cars (2300 and 2301) were built, as was one dining car (8400). These cars were in regular service until as recently as 2002.

Production

The first production Viewliners were built in 1995-1996 by Amerail/Morrison-Knudsen (Now Washington Group International). Initially, 100 sleeping cars were ordered, but this was cut back to 50 as a result of Amtrak's financial situation. Original intentions were for trains of solid Viewliner consists, with newly designed coaches, diners, and lounges. However, plans for more cars were dropped and Viewliner sleepers usually accompany Amfleet coaches on trains.

Accommodation

Each Viewliner car offers three types of rooms: Roomette, Bedroom, and accessible Bedroom. Adjoining Bedrooms can be combined to form a Bedroom Suite. In addition, each car includes a smaller room containing a shower and a room for a car attendant.

Roomette

Originally known as a "standard bedroom," a Viewliner Roomette can hold one or two people. Roomettes include an in-room toilet, but not a shower. Each Viewliner car contains 12 Roomettes.

Bedroom

Originally known as a "deluxe bedroom," a Viewliner Bedroom is designed for two people but can accommodate three. Bedrooms include a complete private bathroom, including shower. Each Viewliner car contains two Bedrooms and they may be combined to form a single Bedroom Suite with room for 4–6 people.

Accessible Bedroom

An accessible Bedroom is similar to a Bedroom, but offers more space for a wheelchair or other mobility device. An accessible Bedroom cannot be combined with a Bedroom to form a Bedroom Suite. One accessible Bedroom is present in each Viewliner car. Reservations for accessible Bedrooms can only be made by calling Amtrak and speaking with an agent.

ee also

* Amtrak
* "Metropolitan View"
* Sleeping car

References

* [http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Title_Image_Copy_Page&c=am2Copy&cid=1080080554190&ssid=142 Amtrak's "Options for Sleeping"]
* [http://www.trainweb.org/amtrakonline/viewlinerinfo.html Unofficial Viewliner information page]
* [http://hebners.net/amtrak/ Amtrak Photo Archives]