xx
ATs will also use tracks, engines and services of appropriate regional passenger trains, short line freight, and national Class 1 freight railroads when negotiations are final.
5. Business Timetable Summary
Relatively unrestrained expansion opportunities are flexible and will be implement depending on the amount of funding.
Present and ongoing demand is considered more than sufficient to achieve optimum growth in the USA, which is adequately supported by present and available management, personnel and affiliations. The timetable for and rate of expansion depends in part on the amount of equity capital or other financing that is available to pay for Cars, which might be influenced by shareholders wanting to avoid undesirable ATs ownership dilution. More Cars provide more bedrooms and related Journey inventory for sale for which there is sufficient demand.
ATs’ initial post Covid-19 operations are presently ramping up and scheduled Journey departures 11 on the first Car, the Sunflower 3, 12, will start in early 2023 11 after desired advance sales are booked and following the seven month (maximum) time period needed to schedule ATs Cars as part of Amtrak trains. Prior unscheduled service with existing customers as passengers and for promotional/marketing purposes is expected.
Up to 12 additional Cars will start service within three years. They will travel with the Sunflower and on different routes. Within five years there will be a total of about 38 Cars simultaneously operating on up to 12 different Journey itineraries.
ATs’ descriptive materials, Internet presence and other aspects of its business presentations are being refined, augmented and upgraded to improve their effectiveness and visual impressions.
As soon as funding occurs, the basic timetable for the start of Journey service using the Sunflower will be as follows:
– Expected Journey departure dates 11 will be confirmed with Amtrak.
– Passenger reservations/bookings will be confirmed.
– Completion of Sunflower interior improvements will be expedited.
– Post Covid-19 remobilization and training of Car crew will be finalized.
– Pending en-route services, Tracks to Adventure tours and other layover services will be re-activated.
– Interim use of less suitable privately owned Amtrak certified Cars to meet demand will be considered.
– Schedules for improving other Cars will proceed.
Early operations may include times when the Sunflower is parked at layover locations in support of long term group Journey and Train’Share sales.
Positive cash flow starts when the Sunflower begins service.
Although ATs’ present capabilities can adequately meet operating and earning objectives, a major relationship with a significant vacation industry entity may be appropriate, particularly if the entity has luxury travel and/or train vacation expertise. Inquiries from pertinent business suitors confirm the viability of this option.
6. Products and Pricing
ATs’ exclusive vacation product is five to 11 day Journeys by Rail 11 for two or a single passenger(s) per bedroom on a growing number of cars 3 and changing routes, with very competitive fares.
Journeys are designed to redefine upscale vacations by their distinctive luxury, exclusive personalization, impeccable hospitality, unique ambiance, unmatched on board experiences, and rewarding off car things to do 15 during en-route layovers while passengers live on board a luxurious rail car.
There are two primary Journey by Rail products, individual (single) Journey vacations 2 and Train’Shares (timeshares) 5. Key differences are: (1) Individual Journey vacation sales generate less current annual revenue and profit but allow the repeated sale of the same Journey time period each year as a Journey vacation; (2) Train’Share sales produce higher and earlier revenue and profits, advance payment of Car operating costs from annual fees paid by Train’Share owners, and Train’Share management fee income; but, ongoing annual Journeys are owned by Train’Share owners eliminating repeated sales each year.
15 https://americantrainvacations.com/activities