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AMERICA’S TRAINS’ CARS
America’s Trains (“ATs”) cars are retired Amtrak or other railroad cars acquired directly from Amtrak or private owners that are improved to enhance their original capabilities. Eventually, economical inclusion of new built cars can occur.
ATs’ primary markets for individual and group Journey by Rail vacation products include ultra-luxury and luxury vacation consumers. Cars will include some that ATs rebuilds and refurbishes; other Cars will retain original characteristics and facilities when it is not appropriate to significantly alter their classic configurations and railroad ambiance, which may reduce bedroom size and facilities while still providing extraordinary vacation experiences. Fares vary to represent the level of Car luxury and elegance. Passengers of all Cars enjoy similar impeccable service, things to do and enjoyment.
Suitable selected rail cars may require mechanical repairs to exceed Amtrak requirements, along with floorplan redesign and other interior improvements that include exquisite decors, fine furnishings, modern conveniences and desirable amenities to create spacious passenger density and optimum passenger gratification.
Some cars may retain their original historic name; others are named after flowers.
Based on demand, within several years the America’s Trains fleet of cars is expected to grow to include about 29 standard passenger cars that travel alone or as part of different train sets with up to several cars, plus several self sufficient private cars with 2 or 3 bedrooms that can travel alone or with a train set, and a few activity cars that travel with trains sets to provide special entertainment and events.
Reservations are typically made over 10 months prior to the departure date of a selected Journey. This gives ATs time to get additional cars ready for service after advance sales confirm high occupancy, reducing excess bedroom inventory. Therefore, a Journey buyer may be making a purchase for a Journey on a Car that is not yet in service. In the unexpected event that a Journey can’t be provided by ATs because a Car is not yet available and there is no alternative Car, ATs will advise Journey buyers not later than 91 days before the departure date. In this event passengers can change to another Journey or a full refund of all amounts paid.
High (two) level cars
High (two) level Cars are self sufficient with bedrooms, full dining and lounges, just have some of these facilities. 
Passenger areas on the lower level include about 2/3rds of the car with a full upper level (the length of the car); there is a total of about 1,200 square feet of passenger space.
A self sufficient high level car may have four bedrooms, a Grande Suite with a very large bed, a Master Suite with a large bed, a Deluxe Double with a bed for two persons, and a Classic Double with a lower full and an upper twin bed. All bedrooms have private bathrooms with a shower. Total capacity is up to eight passengers (double occupancy); very low density. A high level transition car can be joined to high level cars at one end and single level cars at the other.
Additional high level cars will have two Grande Suites, a Master Suite, a Deluxe Double and a Classic Double bedroom, bar, lounges and other amenities. It will normally travel with a high level car that provides full dining service.
Dome Cars
Dome cars have two Master Suites or three Deluxe Double bedrooms, a full kitchen, a dining area and lounges that include an upper level which is about 25% the length of the car. The first dome car, the Hibiscus, may operate alone until the first sleeping car is ready for service.
Single Level Cars
Single level sleeping cars have up to five bedrooms that can include a mix of Grande Suites, Master Suites, Deluxe Double and Classic Double bedroom. The first sleeping car will be the Violet.
Single level dining cars may include two Master Suites, full dining and a bar.
Expected types of cars may vary based on consumer interests, unimproved car availability, and Amtrak requirements which may limit the number and types of ATs cars that they will pull as part of their trains.
Go to the following types of cars for related information.
High (two) Level Cars
Dome Cars
Dining, Lounge Cars
Sleeping Cars
Activity Cars
Private Cars
BEDROOM CATEGORIES
Bedrooms have full private bathrooms, a safe, minibar, wifi when geographically possible, television and other deluxe amenities.Bed layouts may vary and sizes may be slightly different based on the characteristics of individual rail cars and whether they are one or two level cars. Different bedroom categories include the following:
Grande Suite depiction
Master Suite design example
1. Grand Suites, about 120 ft2 (11.15 m2) with a king bed or two twin beds; on single level or the lower level of two level cars.
2. Master Suites, about 96 ft2 (8.92 m2) with queen or king beds or two twin beds.
3. Deluxe Doubles, similar to but smaller than a Master Suite, about 88 ft2 (8.16 m2) with queen beds or tow twin beds in some bedrooms.
4. Classic Doubles, about 68 ft2 (6.32 m2) with a lower double and an upper twin bed, for two or single passengers.
5. Duplex Suites on some private cars, which are two bedrooms each having a large or two lower twin beds, private toilets and sinks, and a shared connecting shower.
6. Crew cabins that are similar to Classic Double bedrooms may be infrequently used to accommodate single or extra passengers. Extra crew may infrequently sleep in Amtrak car bedrooms.
AMERICA’S TRAINS, OPERATING OVERVIEW
By the 1970s airline service and improved highways had replaced railroads as a primary way to travel in the United States; Amtrak assumed responsibility for passenger train operations. This led to the disappearance of and there has been no ongoing regular, scheduled, luxury vacation train service in the United States.
Amtrak’s normal objective is to move people between stations as quickly as possible, stopping just long enough for light maintenance and to let passengers get on and off the trains. There has been no regular train service designed to provide vacations, no luxury passenger railroads, and none that allow passengers to stay on board during extended stops so that they can enjoy off-car activities while traveling by train.
America’s Trains fills this void with Journeys by Rail on luxurious rebuilt railroad cars that travel as part of Amtrak or other trains, with extended en-route layovers at boarding, disembarking and en-route destinations where cars park and allow passengers to enjoy a wide variety of off car activities while living on board their luxurious resort on tracks. Cars are dropped off by one and picked up by another Amtrak or other train at en-route layover locations.
Older passenger cars are repaired to exceed Amtrak mechanical specifications. Interiors are rebuilt to provide ultimate passenger comfort and service.
Up to five cars traveling together as a train set provide luxurious sleeping, lounge and dining facilities with from 4 to 22 deluxe double occupancy bedrooms. There are some bedrooms available for single passengers.
Self sufficient private cars with two or three bedrooms may travel as part of a Train Set, or can operate alone to provide very exclusive vacations for small groups and families on routes selected by passengers.
A few activity cars with special event capabilities or that are configured for traveling displays, on board presentations or meetings will travel with Train Sets.